Your furnace plays a crucial role in maintaining a warm and comfortable home, especially in colder months. However, like any appliance, furnaces have a limited lifespan. Whether you’re moving into a new home or your current furnace has been in use for several decades, it’s important to know the age of your furnace for maintenance, repair, and replacement planning. In this blog post, Clayton-Englewood Heating & Cooling will explore different methods you can utilize to determine the age of your furnace.
The Age of Your Furnace Matters for Several Reasons:
- Maintenance: Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure optimal efficiency and safety of your furnace during the colder months. Therefore, having knowledge of your unit’s age facilitates scheduling timely inspections and tune-ups.
- Repair: When your furnace experiences problems, having knowledge of its age can assist you in determining the most cost-effective course of action, which may be repair or investment in a new unit.
- Replacement: Furnaces generally have a lifespan of 15-20 years. So, if your furnace is nearing or has surpassed this age, it would be prudent to begin allocating funds for a replacement.
- Warranty: Many furnaces are accompanied by manufacturer warranties that remain valid for a specific duration of time. By knowing the age of your unit, you can ascertain whether any warranty coverage still applies.
Look in the Owner’s Manual
One of the most effective methods to determine the age of your furnace is by referring to the owner’s manual. Typically, the manual contains details regarding the installation date or manufacturing date of the furnace, which can provide valuable insight into the unit’s age. Therefore, if you have retained the manual for your furnace, begin by searching for this information in the introductory section or a designated “Specifications” page.
Search for the Manufacturer’s Label
In the event that you no longer have the owner’s manual or cannot locate the date within it, your next recommended course of action is to locate a manufacturer’s label on the furnace. The manufacturer’s label is typically situated on the inside of the furnace cabinet or on the side. This label commonly provides an abundance of information, such as the model number, serial number, and manufacturing date.
- To determine the manufacturing date, try searching for a sequence of letters or numbers within the serial number that correspond to the date. It is important to note that various brands use differing coding systems.
- Please note that certain manufacturers may provide a more direct format for the date of manufacture, such as “MFG Date: MM/YYYY.”
Call the Manufacturer
If the serial number or manufacturer’s label does not provide sufficient information about the age of the furnace or you need help decoding the manufacturer’s label, contacting the manufacturer directly is a recommended option. Most reputable furnace manufacturers have a customer service or support team available to assist you in determining the age of your unit based on the serial number or other identifying information.
Ask a Professional Technician
A certified HVAC technician has the expertise to conduct a thorough inspection of your furnace and should be able to determine its age as well. Typically, during routine furnace maintenance, the technician can identify the manufacturing date and offer valuable insights into the furnace’s condition and estimated remaining lifespan. For this reason, scheduling regular seasonal checks presents an excellent opportunity to ensure optimal performance by keeping your furnace well-serviced.
Understanding the age of your furnace is crucial to maintaining a warm and comfortable home. Plus, it keeps your heating system in tip-top condition! Avoid unexpected breakdowns during critical times by following these steps listed.
Call Clayton-Englewood Heating & Cooling today at (937) 412-2911, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
