Blog

How Long Should My Furnace Last?

As important as a furnace is to a modern building, it is arguably one of the least fun purchases to make and certainly not something you hope to have to replace again in the future. How long can you expect your furnace last is a routine question for the HVAC technician when replacing or repairing an older unit. The fact is, there isn’t necessarily a convenient answer. Sure, it’s safe to say about ten to fifteen years is a reasonable expectation for the lifetime of a furnace, but such an assumption relies on a multitude of conditions and depends on how the unit is treated over time to actually be true.

Local Area and Weather Conditions

One of the first considerations of how long a furnace can be expected to last is what the local weather conditions are like. Obviously, a building in the northern parts of the United States are going to use the furnace more often than how often the furnace on a northern building gets used and therefore need replacement sooner.

Unit Placement

The placement of the actual unit, and to some extent the land around the building can also have an effect on how long the heating unit will last. When possible, placing the outdoor unit to the north of a building helps keep it in the shade, while placing it to the east of the building protects it against the typical storm traveling in from the west. If the building is well shaded, the air will remain warmer naturally without the same need for a furnace, but the downside of such an approach is damage from falling limbs or trees which provide the protection.

Routine Maintenance

Arguably the most important consideration toward the life expectancy of a heating unit is that of how well it is maintained over time. Any time it has a drop in effectiveness it should be repaired immediately. In addition to necessary repairs, the unit needs an annual maintenance schedule and inspection to clean it, check refrigerant levels, and check for any damaged parts which might lead to failure or potentially cause more damage.

Furnace Replacement in Grain Valley

When the temperatures dip in Grain Valley, MO, and surrounding areas, you need a reliable heating company by your side to help minimize the cold. No matter what heating solution you desire, you can count on the experts at Apex Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Contact us today for any furnace service your home may need!