It’s no secret that we all depend on our furnace to work when we need it most. When the temperatures drop and the snow is flying, all you want is a furnace that provides consistent heat so you and your family are comfortable. The last thing you need is for your furnace to break down in the middle of a cold winter night, which is why you need it to be in top working condition. Here are some factors that can age your furnace and increase the likelihood of problems.
Its Chronological Age
This seems like a bit of a no-brainer, but the age of your furnace can have a significant effect on its efficiency. The typical lifespan of a well-maintained furnace is between 12 and 15 years. After reaching the 10-year mark, you could be forgiven for replacing the system. Continuous use for significant amounts of time eventually diminishes the efficiency of the furnace.
When a furnace reaches its golden years, most people start to notice low-performance levels and reduced comfort. A furnace will diminish with age regardless of how well you maintain it.
The State of your Air Conditioner
Your air conditioner and the furnace system are like conjoined twins. The air conditioner and the furnace share the same parts, and you should not overlook one of them when the other starts to misbehave.
Make sure that the air conditioner is in tip-top condition, and you may not have any problems with the furnace system. But if the time to replace the air conditioner comes, then you may also need to change the furnace.
Keep It Properly Maintained
A furnace that continually has to work harder than it should to heat your home is going to age faster than normal. This can occur because of not changing your furnace filter when you should, or neglecting your annual maintenance visits. As the major components of the furnace struggle to get the job done, they will become damaged sooner and require repairs or replacement.
A Unit That Is Too Small
If your furnace is too small for your living space, that’s another reason it will need to overwork and will age prematurely. Sometimes, a builder will install the least expensive unit during construction, even if it isn’t quite big enough for the square footage of the house. This will cause it to run more often and for longer, decreasing its lifespan.
Environment Around The Furnace
The environment around your furnace can also play a role in aging the unit. Things like ventilation and moisture levels can lead to corrosion or overheating that will facilitate the need for costly repairs or replacement.
If you’d like to learn more about factors that can age your furnace or have an issue that requires some professional attention, get in touch with us today.
