Your furnace plays a crucial role in keeping your home warm and cozy, especially during those chilly months. But like any appliance, furnaces have a limited lifespan. So, whether you’re moving into a new place or your current furnace has been around for a while, it’s important to know its age for maintenance, repairs, and planning a replacement. In this blog, your Circleville Heating & Cooling experts will talk about different ways you can figure out how old your furnace is. 

Why is Knowing the Age of Your Furnace Crucial? 

  • Maintenance: Keeping up with regular maintenance is crucial to make sure your furnace runs smoothly and safely during the colder months. 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: If your furnace starts acting up, knowing how old it is can help you determine if it’s worth fixing or if it’s time to get a new one. 
  • Replacement: Furnaces usually last around 15-20 years. So, if your heating system is getting close to or has already reached that age, it’s probably a good idea to start thinking about saving up for a new one. 
  • Warranty: Most furnaces typically come with manufacturer warranties that are valid for several years. So, if you know how old your unit is, you can figure out if there’s still any warranty coverage left.  

Were You Able to Check the Owner’s Manual? 

If you’re wondering how old your furnace is, one of the easiest ways to find out is by checking the owner’s manual. Usually, the manual has details about the installation or manufacturing date, which can give you an idea of the unit’s age. So, if you still have the manual that came with your furnace, start by looking for this information in the introduction or a dedicated “Specifications” page. It should be right there for you to find! 

Were You Able to Look for a Manufacturer Label? 

If, by any chance, you don’t have the owner’s manual any more or can’t find the date within it, your next best bet is to find a manufacturer’s label on the furnace. Usually, you’ll find this label on the inside of the furnace cabinet or on the side. It should include the model number, serial number, and manufacturing date.  

  1. To find the manufacturing date, you’ll want to check the serial number for a series of letters or numbers that indicate the date. Keep in mind that each brand may use different coding systems so that it can vary.  
  1. Some manufacturers may mention the date of manufacture in a simpler format like “MFG Date: MM/YYYY.” 

Were You Able to Contact the Manufacturer? 

If the serial number or manufacturer’s label doesn’t give you clear information about the furnace’s age, you can always try reaching out to the manufacturer directly. Most reputable furnace manufacturers have a customer service or support team that can help you figure out the age of your unit based on the serial number or other identifying information.  

You Can Always Consult a Professional Technician: 

If you get a licensed HVAC technician to check your furnace, they should be able to tell you how old it is. During your seasonal furnace check, the technician can also give you some helpful info about the furnace’s condition and how much longer it’s likely to last. It’s a great chance to keep your furnace running smoothly and performing its best! 

Knowing how old your furnace is is really important because you definitely don’t want it to give out on you when you need it the most, right? So, to figure out its age and make informed decisions about your heating system, you can check the owner’s manual, inspect the manufacturer label, ask professionals, or even use online resources.  

Stay warm and comfortable in your home this season with Circleville Heating & Cooling. Call today at (740) 218-5323, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here