Natural gas has long been an economical choice for fueling heating systems. Gas furnaces supply homes with plenty of warmth throughout the winter, and the presence of gas heat equals increased sales prices and a higher sale rate versus comparable homes with electric heat. While heating a home with gas will cost less on monthly energy bills, buying a new gas furnace can be expensive. Homeowners want to know how long gas furnaces last – Rusk Heating & Cooling has your answer.

How Long Do Gas Furnaces Last?

The longevity of a new furnace is important to homeowners, as knowing the expected service life can help you understand how your initial investment will pay for itself over the life of the unit. While the actual length of time any furnace will last depends on various factors such as usage and maintenance care, these units do have an average service life we can look to for information.

How long do gas furnaces last? How long do electric furnaces last?

  • Gas furnaces typically average 15 to 20 years of service.
  • Electric furnaces tend to average 20 to 30 years of service.

Factors Affecting Furnace Lifespan

These numbers are simple averages, and it is possible for your furnace to last longer or fail sooner than expected. How long gas furnaces last can vary based on these key factors.

Maintenance Care

Furnace manufacturers recommend annual professional maintenance for their equipment to improve its performance and extend its service life. Preventative maintenance care is typically the top factor in determining just how long gas furnaces last. A preventative maintenance tune up alleviates wear and tear that burdens the system, causing it to consume more energy and leading parts to break down faster. Minor system flaws can be identified and corrected before larger problems develop, limiting system damage and needed repairs to keep the furnace in service longer.

In addition to professional maintenance tune ups each year, homeowners need to change furnace filters regularly. A furnace needs a clean filter to run efficiently, as the filter allows necessary airflow through the system. When a filter is clogged with debris, the system operates under increased stress to move air along. More energy is consumed and parts are worn down at a faster rate, leading to breakdowns.

Furnace Use

Your household’s heating habits also impact how long gas furnaces last. The more a furnace runs, the sooner it will fail, as the system experiences more operating hours and the wear and tear that comes along with them. If your family keeps the thermostat set at 68 degrees or lower throughout the winter, the furnace will run less and likely last longer than the furnace in a home that prefers their heat set at 73 degrees. Using a programmable or smart thermostat can further improve furnace operating efficiency, reducing operating time for longer system life.

Repair Services

Repair habits are another factor that impacts how long gas furnaces last. It’s important to schedule furnace repair service at the first sign of system troubles. You do not want to ignore signs of performance issues and continue to operate the heating system under subpar conditions. With continued operation, minor flaws can worsen, leading to severe damage and the need for major repairs. With early attention, these issues can be fixed with minimal servicing compared to later on down the road. Additionally, a new furnace from the right company, with proper installation is what you need to help improve your furnace life expectancy and raise its average lifespan! Fixing furnace issues while they are still minor reduces damage and wear to the system, helping to keep the unit in service for a longer period of time.

Furnace Repair and Maintenance Services

How long a typical gas furnace’s life is will vary from one home to the next. To keep your furnace running as long as possible, be sure to schedule annual preventative maintenance tune ups and call Rusk Heating & Cooling for furnace repairs at the first sign of problems from your heating system. To schedule furnace repairs or maintenance, contact us today.