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Varsity Zone HVAC of Springdale
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Factors to Consider When Dealing with an Aging or Struggling Furnace
 

At Varsity Zone, we aim to provide education and information to homeowners so they can make the best decision for their family. We love to see old furnaces still going strong. In fact, we have no problem telling a homeowner that they do NOT need a new furnace. The conversation that we have with our clients includes a variety of factors that we will discuss in this article.

The average lifespan of a gas furnace is 15-20 years in the United States, depending on the regional area. Furnaces can last much longer than that, but they will often show signs of deterioration after the 20-year mark. 

The lifespan of each furnace can also vary greatly depending on a handful of factors; including any previous maintenance or repairs, size of a home, ductwork efficiency, and overall air sealing efficiency within the home. 
 

Some key factors to consider when deciding whether or not to replace your furnace include:

  • Age of the Furnace:  after the 20-year mark, the likelihood of malfunctions increases and can lead to costly repairs.

  • History of Repairs:  if you are having to call a technician to repair your furnace every year, that might be a sign that it is time to replace it. Some common causes for a failing furnace are actually fairly inexpensive to fix, but every case is different. 

  • How Does the Furnace Hold Up on the Coldest Days?  if the furnace is constantly running to keep up on colder days, that is a sign that it is struggling to produce enough warm air to satisfy the home's temperature settings.

  • Cost of Equipment Goes Up Every Year:  equipment costs typically increase by 2 to 3% each year. Waiting longer can end up costing you more. Inflation, inflation, inflation.

  • Energy Bills:  if your gas bills are astronomically higher than your friends and neighbors with similar sized homes, an aging furnace could be the culprit. Upgrading to a new furnace might make more financial sense over the long run than you think.

  • Safety Concerns:  this might be the most important consideration. Older furnaces run the risk of getting cracks in the heat exchanger. Cracks in a heat exchanger will cause carbon dioxide to leak into your home and can be very dangerous, especially if you don't have carbon monoxide detectors. 


If you are still unsure of what to do, give us a call! We offer free estimates, where we will have a conversation, gather information about the system, and give you an unbiased opinion on the best route to take. That's the Varsity Zone Way.  

Alyssa and Logan Perryman
Owners, Varsity Zone HVAC of Springdale
479-437-6096