Should I Replace My 30-Year-Old Furnace?

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

When homeowners have a furnace that works well, they’re not going to complain. Furnaces that are well-maintained can easily last 20 years or more. However, after a certain point, even the most reliable furnace will need to be replaced or repaired. If you’re like many homeowners, you probably are wondering when it makes more sense to replace rather than repair.

Your 30-year-old furnace should be replaced as this is the maximum lifespan that any homeowner should expect for their furnace. Your furnace can last beyond 30 years but experts have said it’s best to replace one that is 15 years or older to ensure you have a properly working furnace.

Having a furnace that’s old enough to drink is enough to make most people consider shopping around for a newer model. Before you decide to look at furnaces online, read this article. It might help you determine what you should do with your furnace situation.

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Is Repairing A 30-Year-Old Furnace Worth It?

Everyone knows that furnaces don’t last forever, even if they seem like they do. Eventually, you will have to replace your furnace rather than repair it. The overall consensus is that you should look into replacing your furnace if it’s at the 30-year mark. However, there are always exceptions to the rule.

However, repair still might be worth it if the following points are true:

  • Your furnace has never had a problem before, or had very few issues in the past. If your furnace has been running perfectly well for 30 years, congrats! You have a super-reliable furnace that probably deserves a fix.
  • The repair in question costs very little or takes very little effort. If it’s something like a blown fuse or a small switch, you might not have reason to replace it quite yet. It just wouldn’t make financial sense!
  • You don’t want to upgrade your furnace. A lot of people choose to upgrade their furnaces as a way to make their homes more energy-efficient. If this doesn’t appeal to you, you might want to stick to the old-fashioned model.

Why Does It Make Sense To Replace A 30-Year-Old Furnace?

Though you might love your furnace (or at least love the idea of avoiding a replacement), the truth is that it usually makes financial sense to replace a furnace that is 30 years or older. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15 to 20 years. If you have a 30-year-old furnace, you already exceeded the lifespan by 10 years.

At the 15-year mark, most people start to see problems arise with their furnace. By the 20-year mark, most homeowners have deal with enough problems to decide to replace their furnaces. If your furnace is 30 years of age, chances are that you’re going to see problems multiply sooner rather than later.

After a certain point, you’ll end up having more problems than you are going to be willing to deal with. By nipping this in the bud with a replacement, you can avoid wasting money on a furnace that is on its last legs.

Can Replacing A Furnace Impact Your Heating Bills?

Another good reason why people should strongly consider replacing their 30-year-old furnace deals with the recent strides made in HVAC technology. It’s possible to get a durable furnace that comes with the perk of energy efficiency. This can lead to lower utility bills without the pitfall of having a colder home.

Can Upgrading Your Furnace Improve Your Home’s Heating?

It’s no secret that newer furnaces come with more ways to heat a home evenly. Even if you get a basic model, you can expect to have a home that’s better heated than what you would get with an older model. If you choose to get a more upscale model, it’s very likely that you’ll experience a noticeable improvement in your heating and cooling too.

Is A Bad Furnace A Health Hazard?

We all know that a bad furnace can leak carbon monoxide or become a fire hazard. That much is obvious. But, it’s not all that an old and failing heater can cause. Another reason you might want to get your old furnace replaced deals with a little-discussed side effect of a furnace gone bad: illnesses.

A furnace that’s dying will often send toxic particles into the air, such as rust, mold, mildew, or dust. This influx of particles can cause people to be at a higher risk of airborne illnesses. Replacing your furnace can help improve your overall air quality, which in turn, gives your lungs a new lease on life.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Furnace?

This all depends on how fancy (and large) you want your furnace to be. A new furnace will cost between $1,795 and $6,500 to obtain, with some furnaces being even higher in price. On average, you should expect your furnace to cost around $3,800.

Obviously, this is going to be a pretty deep hit to a typical family’s wallet. If you aren’t quite ready to pull the trigger on a replacement, you should get your older furnace fixed and start saving up for a newer model. After all, there’s no need for an immediate furnace replacement in most cases.

Are There Any Situations Where You Must Immediately Replace Your Old Furnace?

Yes, of course! If your furnace ceased to work despite any repairs or if your HVAC technician warns you of a serious hazard dealing with your furnace, getting a replacement immediately makes sense. The same can be said if you notice a carbon monoxide leak emanating from your furnace.

When in doubt, it’s best to listen to your HVAC professional. If he or she says that it needs to be replaced, then you should listen to him.

Do You Need a Heating and Cooling Contractor?

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Related Questions

Can I replace my old furnace on my own?

While it might not be ideal to do, you can replace your old furnace on your own. All you have to do is take out the old furnace and secure the new furnace in its place. When replacing your furnace, make sure to put the old furnace in the new furnace’s box and dispose of it properly.


What can you do if you can’t afford a new furnace?

With the rising costs of living, many homeowners do not have the money to replace a furnace. The best thing that you can do is take out a loan or try to finance it. If that option is not available, the next best thing you can do is buy a bunch of space heaters and hope for the best. If possible, installing a wood stove can be a more permanent fix.


Does Home Depot install new furnaces?

If you don’t like the idea of having to install your own furnace, there’s some good news on the horizon. Home Depot has an entire HVAC department that offers furnace installation at a reasonable cost.


Is a furnace that has a higher BTU rating better?

Your furnace’s BTU rating is a measure of how powerful it is. Furnaces that have a high BTU are capable of heating a wider space. If your home is very small, you don’t need to get a furnace with a high BTU rating.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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