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Factors that Limit Your Furnace’s Lifespan

Are you prematurely aging your furnace? While it’s not something that homeowners do intentionally, there are certain factors that can age your furnace. Most gas furnaces last between 15-30 years, but there are certain factors that will impact your furnace’s lifespan. 

Let’s take a closer look at the main factors here. 

1. Make and Model 

New furnace systems are generally more efficient than older units, which are usually approaching the end of their natural life cycle anyway. The model of furnace is also important, as some are better made than others. Your HVAC specialist will help guide you as you choose the right furnace for your space. 

2. Frequency of Use 

Common sense says that the more you use your furnace throughout the year, the more you’ll wear on its parts and lifespan. That’s not necessarily the case. Most furnaces in Canada are made for use throughout our harsh, winter months. The key is to ensure that you maintain your furnace properly, at regular intervals throughout the year, so that your furnace system is clean and optimized for efficient operation. 

3. Regular Maintenance  

Regular maintenance is critical to helping your furnace last. Just as you change the tires, oil and filters regularly in your vehicle, your furnace requires regular seasonal maintenance, too. Most homeowners think that maintenance begins and ends with changing furnace filters, but there’s more to it than that. Contact the team at Handy Bros. Home Comfort to learn more about our furnace maintenance plans. 

4. Size 

It’s critical to ensure that your furnace or HVAC system is the right size for your home, office or commercial building. While many people mistakenly think that bigger is better, an oversized furnace can actually lead to excess wear and tear on the unit itself. This is because of the rapid heating cycles that an oversized unit goes through as the furnace shuts down more frequently as it reaches set temperatures quickly in smaller rooms. Not only will an oversized furnace cause excess wear and tear, it will also increase your heating costs as your unit isn’t able to reach its peak efficiency. 

The reverse can be problematic too. A furnace that is too small will struggle to keep up with dropping temperatures and may not even be able to heat your home adequately during very cold weather. Plus, if your furnace is too small it may end up running constantly, without really making any progress to heat your home. Not only will this lead to high energy bills and an inefficient system, it can cause wear and tear on the furnace’s components. 

It’s important to work with your HVAC specialist to find a furnace that’s just the right size for your home, office or commercial building. High-quality furnace models that are sized correctly and regularly maintained will last longer while reliably and efficiently heating your home. 

Contact us at Handy Bros. ClimateCare for more tips and advice or to schedule a maintenance appointment for your furnace today.