The outdoor environment can affect the lifespan of forced air furnaces, so you can expect more corrosion if you live in a coastal area. Similarly, a hot or cold climate can lead to more wear and tear on a furnace or heat pump. While technological advancements have helped extend life cycles, they can also be a curse.
Warning signs that it’s time to replace your forced air furnace
The flame on your furnace may not be blue, which is a warning sign of incomplete combustion. If the flame does not turn blue, the unit may leak gas or carbon monoxide, which is odourless and deadly. Contact an HVAC professional immediately.
Regardless of the cause, replacing your forced air furnace is necessary if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Read on to discover the most common causes of these symptoms and how you can avoid them.
Older furnaces tend to develop cracks in their heat exchangers. As a result, airborne contaminants accumulate inside the ducts and spread throughout the home. When this happens, contact a professional furnace repair company right away.
A furnace replacement may be necessary if it is not operating efficiently. But if the warning signs persist, it’s time to call an HVAC company and discuss the options.
The average lifespan of a forced air furnace?
What can you expect from the unit’s life span if you’re considering replacing your furnace? A furnace’s lifespan is roughly 16 to 20 years. As these devices age, they begin to lose efficiency and run more than twice as hard to provide the same amount of heat. If the pilot light has burned out, your furnace is likely over 25 years old. In addition, older furnaces may have undergone poor maintenance and will need more frequent repairs to perform as efficiently as newer models.
While the lifespan of forced air furnaces is about 15 to 20 years, the average lifespan of a heat pump or gas-fired unit is longer. Electric furnaces, for instance, tend to last longer than gas-fired ones because they have fewer moving parts. Electric furnaces also tend to have fewer problems as they do not involve the reaction of combustion gases with metal parts. On the other hand, natural gas furnaces can last as long as 18 years.
Cost of a new forced air furnace?
When planning to replace an old, broken, forced air furnace, you first need to know how much it will cost. A new unit will generally cost between $5,500 and $11,000. The costs of a new furnace and an air conditioning unit vary depending on the BTU capacity and installation location. The price of the new furnace will also depend on the type of fuel, features and BTU size you need.
The price of a new forced air furnace will vary depending on what fuel source it uses, how much ductwork it requires, and what size the unit is. Typically, electric furnaces will cost the least, while natural gas, propane, and oil units will cost the most. Be sure to shop around for the best deal. You can always save money by comparing prices online. There are also many good brands of furnaces and other HVAC equipment on the market.