How Old Is Your Furnace, and Should You Replace It?
In Central Alberta a furnace runs most of the year, so it ages faster than one in a mild climate. Knowing its age helps you plan instead of reacting in a cold snap.
Request an HVAC technicianFind the age
Look for the rating plate inside the furnace door. The serial number often contains the year of manufacture, and the manufacturer can decode it. Installation stickers may also show a date.
What wears first
Igniters, flame sensors, inducer motors, blower motors and control boards are the usual repairs. One repair isn't a reason to replace, but a pattern is.
Warning signs
Rust, cracks or soot inside the cabinet, a yellow or flickering flame on older units, and carbon monoxide alarms all need prompt attention.
Efficiency
Older mid-efficiency furnaces vent through a metal flue and chimney. High-efficiency units capture more heat and vent through plastic pipes.
Plan the timing
Replacing in summer or early fall gives you time to compare quotes and avoids an emergency swap in January.
Think about cooling
A replacement is the moment to consider adding central air or a heat pump on the same ducts.
Next steps
See furnace replacement and send a request for a quote.
Repair or replace?
A common rule of thumb compares the repair cost with the age of the furnace. An expensive repair on an old unit often makes less sense than putting the money toward a new one.
Keep a service record
A notebook or folder with dates of tune-ups, repairs and filter changes helps any technician understand the furnace's history and spot repeat problems.
Carbon monoxide alarms
Whatever the furnace's age, every home with gas appliances needs working carbon monoxide alarms near the bedrooms. Test them monthly and replace them by the date printed on the back.
More heating and cooling guides
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