Do you have any questions regarding your furnace system? Call Crew Heating & Cooling to get all the answers you need.
The furnace system remains the most dependable heating option for many homeowners in Texas. They are easy to operate, and modern options are more efficient than ever. However, like all HVAC systems, they don’t last forever.
Given that these systems can cost four- to five-digit sums, it’s only natural that many homeowners want to know the average life of a furnace before committing to one. Plus, because our experts offer furnace repair in Spring, TX, we’ve seen plenty of people wondering if their furnace gave up too fast.
So, what is the longevity of home furnace units? We’ll cover the details in this post.
Can You Leave Your Furnace Running When No One's Home?
A common misunderstanding about heating a building concerns the energy you may waste if you let the furnace run constantly. Leaving the furnace on will keep the house warm. Yet it’ll increase the monthly energy expenses due to increased electricity usage.
You never want to overwork your furnace or let it consume too much energy. So, is it safe to leave heat on when you’re not home?
Letting your furnace run while you’re away for the day is safe if you have a modern HVAC system and it runs correctly. Though it’ll continue using energy, it won’t cause safety concerns for your house.
Factors That Can Reduce Furnace Life Expectancy
Some of the factors that can shorten a furnace system’s lifespan include the following.
Inaccurate Furnace Sizing
The average service life of heating systems largely depends on how much wear and tear they accumulate.
Furnaces that are bigger than necessary will run shorter cycles, creating more wear and tear on the important parts of the system. Conversely, furnaces that are too small for the space will run longer cycles, leading to more wear and tear.
Striking the perfect balance is vital to extending the lifespan of residential furnaces or at least getting them to reach the average life of a furnace.
Poor Installation
The approach to installation can affect the lifespan of your furnace.
Incorrectly installed fuel lines can affect combustion and may put your family at risk. Poor drainage can lead to humidity issues in high-efficiency furnaces. Poor ductwork design or installation can hamper airflow and make your furnace system work harder than it should.
Therefore, it’s always best to choose a qualified furnace installation technician when you have to fit a new system for your property.
Irregular Maintenance
Estimating the years a furnace can last is futile without regular maintenance work. Your furnace is no different from other HVAC systems. You need to stick to a regular maintenance schedule to keep it working optimally.
Dirty buildup on the burners, fan blade, heat exchanger, and air filters can reduce the system’s efficiency, forcing it to work harder. An unbalanced fan can also affect the motor’s life, causing it to wear out after a while.
Overdemanding Temperature Settings
You probably want your home as warm as possible. But individual comfort preferences can also affect the typical duration of furnace performance. Ideally, you should set your thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter for efficient heating. Much higher or lower and you’re putting too much strain on your system.
The Furnace’s Position
Where you install your furnace can have a significant impact on its lifespan. Furnaces in crawlspaces and attics are under more stress because they are exposed to outdoor temperatures, moisture, and even pest activity. This added stress can lower the system’s lifespan.
You should consider installing yours in the garage or any conditioned space. If it’s not practical, you can make the crawlspace or attic more comfortable for the furnace with encapsulation or insulation.
Trust Crew Heating & Cooling With Your Furnace Issues in Humble, Texas
Looking at the average life of a furnace, you can see that working with experienced HVAC technicians for the installation, maintenance, and repair of your unit is vital to its longevity. Are you looking for an HVAC technician you can trust locally? We are the best!
We can install top-rated heating systems, and our maintenance and repair crew are highly experienced professionals.
Call Crew Heating & Cooling in Humble, TX, today at (832) 345-1696 for more discussions on furnace durability and replacement considerations.