Here’s How Long Furnaces Last in Iowa—and How to Get the Most Out of Them
There comes a point in every home furnace’s life when replacing it starts to outweigh the benefits of repairing it.
If you’ve been hearing strange noises from your furnace, or if your heating bills have been climbing unexpectedly, you may be wondering whether that time is coming soon.
Any decision to replace your furnace is best made with the help of a trusted HVAC contractor like Wyckoff Heating & Cooling. However, a general rule of thumb is that the average furnace lasts between 15 and 20 years.
Furnaces may last both shorter and longer than this, depending on a wide range of factors. Let’s take a closer look at the typical furnace lifespan, the different variables involved, and the signs that it may be time to start saving for a replacement.
Average Lifespan by Furnace Type
Homes in the Des Moines metro may use a few different types of furnaces. The type of furnace you have could affect its longevity. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of furnaces we see and their average lifespans.
Gas Furnaces
Natural gas furnaces are by far the most common type of furnace in Iowa. These furnaces typically have a lifespan of 15-20 years when properly maintained.
Oil Furnaces
Furnaces that burn oil instead of natural gas have a similar lifespan to gas furnaces. They also often last 15-20 years.
Electric Furnaces
About one in four Iowa homes uses electricity as its heat source. If you have an electric furnace, it may last longer than the typical gas furnace because it has fewer moving parts. Their average lifespan is often 20-30 years. While their lifespan may be longer, they are often more expensive to operate.
What Factors Affect Your Furnace’s Lifespan?
While it’s easy to provide an average range for furnace lifespans, the reality is that each furnace will be different based on many factors. In fact, one Consumer Reports analysis found that 25% of gas furnaces were expected to break by year 10. Will your furnace last longer or shorter? Here are some of the variables to consider.
Proactive Maintenance
Keeping your furnace well-maintained is the number one way to extend its lifespan. At Wyckoff, we recommend bi-annual HVAC service checks, which are available through our Peace of Mind Service Plan. Another simple way to maintain your furnace is to change your furnace filter every 1-3 months. Dirty air filters can cause major problems with your furnace. If your furnace is regularly cared for, it has a better chance of lasting longer.
The Quality of Your Furnace
Just like a car or any other type of machine, the underlying quality of the furnace and its components will play a large role in how long it lasts. You may not have chosen the furnace that’s currently installed in your home, but when it’s time to replace it, we recommend working with your HVAC contractor to select a durable, high-quality model.
The Quality of Installation
It’s not just the furnace quality that can affect its lifespan. The way your furnace is installed in your home also plays a major role. An improperly installed system can cut your furnace’s efficiency by 30% and potentially shorten the system’s lifespan, according to Energy Star.
How to Find the Age of Your Furnace
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to replace your furnace, one of the first questions you need to answer is how old your furnace is.
The good news is that this information is usually easy to find. It should be on the furnace unit itself. Here’s how to find it:
- Locate the inspection sticker and serial number on your furnace.
- Look at the first four numbers. These usually represent the year and week, or week and year, that the furnace was made. (For example, the digits “5016” would mean the 50th week of 2016.)
- The format of the serial number can vary by manufacturer, so it may help to do a quick online search to tell how yours should be read.
- If you are unable to tell the age, find the label and send a photo of it to an HVAC contractor like Wyckoff. We will be able to help you determine the age of your unit.
The 50% Rule: When Is It Time to Replace Your Furnace?
There comes a time in every furnace’s life when replacement outweighs the benefits of repair. In general, we recommend the “Rule of 50.” If the repair is more than 50% of what a new system costs, then it’s likely better to replace. Or, if the repair is more than $800 for a system that’s older than 10 years, a replacement might be the best way to go.
There are many signs that your furnace is reaching the end of its lifespan. Here are a few:
1. Rising Energy Bills
Are your heating bills rising, even though you’re not using your furnace any more than normal? This could be a sign that your furnace is losing efficiency as it ages. If it’s near the end of its life, replacing it may help you keep your energy costs down.
2. Frequent Repairs
Even frequent small repairs can add up. If everything on your furnace seems to be going out in a short amount of time, it may be better to think proactively. Replacing the entire furnace before you need to pay for a large number of repairs can be a smart move.
3. Uneven Heating
Are some rooms in your home colder than others? This could be a problem with many causes, but it may be a sign your furnace isn’t distributing the air properly. An HVAC professional can help you determine if your furnace itself is the root issue.
4. Strange Noises
Do you hear a rattling, banging, squealing, popping, or other strange noise coming from your furnace? This could be a sign of a minor issue, but it could also be a major one that makes replacement more economical.
Common Issues That Could Prompt a Furnace Replacement
As your furnace ages, there are some fixes that may prompt you to make the decision to replace it. There are several common furnace repairs and problems that could mean your furnace is nearing the end of its useful life. While these are not automatic reasons to replace your furnace, they could prompt you to consider whether it’s time to purchase a new unit.
A Malfunctioning Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger in a gas or oil furnace takes heat from the combustion chamber and transfers it to the air that is distributed to the living space. A cracked heat exchanger can be dangerous, potentially leaking carbon monoxide into your home. It can also be one of the most expensive furnace repairs. Here’s a more in-depth guide on the types of heat exchanger furnaces and when to replace them.
A Faulty Blower Motor
Your furnace’s blower helps move air through your heating system. If you have a newer furnace, such as one under 10 years old, replacing the blower motor may be a worthy investment. However, repairs can become expensive depending on the type of motor your blower needs. If your furnace is on the back half of its life, it may be time to weigh a full replacement.
A Broken Control Module
The control module is a key part of your furnace that affects its ability to function. While often not prohibitively costly to fix, a faulty module could be a good time to evaluate whether there are other issues with your furnace, and if it’s time to replace your unit if it’s nearing the end of its lifespan.
Don’t Let a Bad Furnace Leave You in the Cold This Winter
Iowa’s frigid winters aren’t for the faint of heart, even with a working furnace. Make sure your home stays nice and cozy by getting ahead of major furnace malfunctions. Whether you’re seeing the warning signs or just want to know where your unit’s health stands, the furnace replacement experts at Wyckoff are here to help.
Our technicians can perform a full service check to assess the health of your heat exchanger, ignition system, and other key components to give you an honest assessment of your system’s remaining life.
Is your furnace in need of repair or replacement? Schedule an appointment today.