Your furnace plays a crucial role in ensuring your home remains warm and comfortable, especially during the colder months. However, like any appliance, furnaces have a limited lifespan. Whether you’re settling into a new home or your current furnace has faithfully served you for decades, knowing its age is essential for maintenance, repair, and replacement planning. In this blog, Centerville Heating & Cooling will explore various methods to help you determine the age of your furnace.
Having a Clear Understanding of the Age of Your Furnace Helps for the Following Reasons:
- Maintenance Reasons: Regular maintenance is crucial to guarantee the efficient and safe operation of your furnace during the colder months. Therefore, when you schedule your seasonal maintenance checks, it’s helpful for the HVAC technician to know the general age of your heating unit beforehand.
- Repair Reasons: Understanding the age of your furnace can provide valuable insight when determining the most cost-effective solution for any issues that arise. It allows you to make an informed decision between repairing the existing unit or investing in a new one, ensuring optimal efficiency and long-term savings.
- Replacement Reasons: Furnaces generally have a lifespan of 15-20 years. If your furnace is nearing or has surpassed this age, it would be prudent to start budgeting for a replacement.
- Warranty Reasons: Furnaces typically include manufacturer warranties that remain valid for a specific number of years. Being aware of your unit’s age can assist in assessing the availability of any existing warranty coverage.
Did You Check the Owner’s Manual?
To determine the age of your furnace, consulting the owner’s manual is a reliable approach. The manual typically includes details about the installation date or manufacturing date of the unit, providing valuable insight into its age. So, if you possess the original furnace manual, begin by searching for this information in the introductory section or a dedicated “Specifications” page.
Did You Look for a Manufacturer Label?
If you happen to no longer have the owner’s manual or are unable to locate the date within it, an alternative option is to find the manufacturer’s label on the furnace. This label is usually situated inside the furnace cabinet or on the side. It typically provides a wealth of information, such as the model number, serial number, and manufacturing date. By referring to this label, you can obtain the necessary details with confidence.
- To determine the manufacturing date, locate a series of alphanumeric characters within the serial number that correspond to the date. It is important to note that various manufacturers employ distinct coding systems, resulting in variations across different brands.
- Please note that certain manufacturers may provide a clear and concise date of manufacture in the format “MFG Date: MM/YYYY.”
Did You Contact the Manufacturer?
If the serial number or manufacturer’s label does not provide clear information about the furnace’s age, contacting the manufacturer directly is another option. Reputable furnace manufacturers typically have dedicated customer service or support teams that can assist in determining the age of your unit based on the serial number or other identifying information.
Did You Consult a Professional Technician?
A licensed HVAC technician possesses the expertise to thoroughly inspect your furnace and provide you with accurate information regarding its age. During your seasonal checks, the technician can identify the manufacturing date and offer valuable insights into the furnace’s condition and estimated remaining lifespan.
It is essential to avoid unexpected furnace breakdowns when you need it the most. By referring to your owner’s manual, examining the manufacturer label, seeking guidance from experts, or utilizing online resources, you can confidently determine the age of your furnace.
Call Centerville Heating & Cooling today at (937) 353-1169, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
