How Efficient Is A 20 Year Old Furnace?

Your furnace is an important part of your central heating system. It keeps your house warm in the winter, but what happens when your furnace starts to age?

A 20-year-old furnace is only 60% effective, and it will waste 40% of its heat and energy. The average furnace lasts for 10-20 years, and it steadily declines after 10 years. A new furnace can generate heat with 95% efficiency and save you hundreds per year.

Old furnaces were built to last, but have lower fuel efficiency than new ones. How do you know when it’s time to throw out the old and invest in a new furnace? You can begin by checking your current furnace to see if it’s still doing its job.

There are a few ways to tell that your furnace is at the end of its life. If your gas bill is significantly higher than usual, that’s probably a sign that your furnace isn’t working as it should. This is a result of your furnace running longer and harder to compensate for lost heat.

If you’re calling a repairman every few months, that’s not a good sign. Your furnace should only need regular maintenance like any other appliance. If its pieces and parts need constant attention, that’s a sign it’s time for a new furnace.

Uneven heat and cooling in your house is also a sign that your furnace isn’t doing its job right. If you find rooms warmer or colder than other rooms, it might be time to call a heating professional to check actual temperatures to see where heat is actually reaching.

Most furnaces only have a lifespan of 15-20 years, so your 20-year-old furnace is probably on its way out.

If your burner flame turns yellow, that means it’s time to get a replacement furnace. This is a safety issue for your house because the furnace is now producing carbon monoxide. Call a professional ASAP to have this problem resolved immediately!

If it sounds like you’ve got a ghost in your house, don’t worry! It’s just another sign to replace your old furnace. Buzzing and rattling are indications that your furnace has developed cracks or leaks and needs to be replaced.

If you’ve turned the heat up all the way and it’s still cold, it’s time for a new furnace. Old furnaces lose efficiency as they age, wasting heat (and your money). A cold house is a clear sign that your furnace isn’t working as it should.

Furnaces pump dry air into your home and reduce humidity. However, when furnaces get older, they substantially dry out the air in your home.

This can pose a problem in the winter when it’s important to have 30-40% humidity in your home. Proper humidity levels help keep you comfortable. A new furnace can help with just that!

An old furnace can also produce less clean air than a new furnace. If you notice dustier air, that’s a sign your furnace isn’t working as well as it used to. Older models don’t have the high-quality airflow and filtration systems that new ones do.

There are four different types of furnaces: natural gas, oil, electric, and propane.

Natural gas furnaces are the most popular type of furnace in America. They provide the most bang for your buck and can be 98% efficient.

Oil furnaces are a bit less popular and a bit less efficient. However, they cost less to install than their natural gas counterparts.

Electric furnaces are the cheapest of all four options. They can last on average ten years longer than natural gas furnaces. However, your monthly bill will be significantly higher.

Propane is easily stored in tanks for furnace use. It tends to be available in areas where oil and gas are not. It is the least common furnace type.

Heating your home in the winter is of the utmost importance, especially in cold climates. An inefficient furnace won’t heat like it’s supposed to. 20-year-old furnaces tend to be around 60% efficient whereas their younger counterparts can be up to 95% efficient.

It is time to replace your furnace if it’s rattling, unevenly heating your home, or emitting carbon monoxide. Usually, these issues befall older models since furnaces have a lifespan of 15-20 years.

When buying a new furnace, you should consider brands, prices, fuel types, and sizing. This is a surefire way to have a cozy, warm home in the winter.