Your furnace plays a crucial role in keeping your home warm and cozy, especially during those chilly winter months. But just like any other major appliance, furnaces don’t last forever. So, whether you’ve recently moved into a new place or you’re dealing with an old faithful furnace, it’s important to know how old it is. This knowledge will help you stay on top of maintenance, handle repairs, and plan for replacements down the road. It’s all about being proactive and taking charge of your home comfort!
In this blog, we’re going to dive into different ways you can figure out how old your furnace is. So, let’s get started and learn all about it with Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air!
The Necessity of Knowing Your Furnace’s Age:
Knowing the age of your furnace is really important for a bunch of reasons. It helps you understand how well your heating system works and how long it’s likely to last.
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance is imperative to make sure your furnace runs smoothly and safely when it’s chilly outside. On top of that, when you schedule your seasonal maintenance appointments, it’s beneficial for the HVAC technician to know the approximate age of your heating unit ahead of time.
- Repair: When your furnace starts acting up, it’s important to consider its age before deciding whether it’s worth repairing or getting a new one. This way, you can figure out the most cost-effective solution.
- Replacement: Most furnaces usually last around 15 to 20 years. So, if your furnace is getting close to or has surpassed this range, it’s a good idea to start thinking about getting a replacement. This way, you can avoid any unexpected hiccups along the way.
- Warranty: Most furnaces come with manufacturer warranties, usually with a specific timeframe of validity. So, knowing how old your unit is can help you figure out if any warranty coverage is still applicable.
Have You Tried Looking in the Owner’s Manual?
To quickly find out how old your furnace is, you can refer to the owner’s manual. It’s a helpful resource that usually has important information about the installation or manufacturing date. Just take a look in the introduction or on a dedicated “Specifications” page, if available, and you should be able to get an idea of how to find your unit’s age.
Have You Tried Finding the Manufacturer’s Label?
If you can’t find the owner’s manual or it doesn’t have the information you need, you can try checking the manufacturer’s label on the furnace. Usually, you’ll find it inside the furnace cabinet or on the side of the unit. This label contains important details like the model number, serial number, and manufacturing date. Now, let’s talk about how to decipher the manufacturing date from the serial number. There should be a sequence of letters or numbers that represents the date. But keep in mind, different manufacturers may use different coding systems. Some might even use a simpler format like “MFG Date: MM/YYYY.”
Have You Tried Calling the Manufacturer?
If you’re dealing with a furnace whose age isn’t clear from the serial number or manufacturer’s label, reaching out to the manufacturer directly is a good option. A reputable furnace manufacturer should have a dedicated customer service or support team that can help you figure out the age of your unit based on the serial number or other unique identifiers.
Have You Tried Scheduling a Professional Consultation?
Lastly, an HVAC technician can also take a good look at your furnace and tell you how old it is. Usually, during your regular furnace check-ups, the technician can easily figure out when it was made and give you useful information about its condition and how much longer it’s expected to last. That’s why we think it’s important to have these seasonal checks to keep your furnace in top shape and keep you in the loop as well!
Knowing the age of your furnace is crucial to ensure your home stays cozy and warm during the coldest months. So, don’t be afraid to take proactive steps now to find out its age. This way, you can make informed decisions about your heating system and keep your home comfortable.
For personalized guidance and heating and cooling support, we invite you to contact Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air today at (937) 502-3842 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! Your warmth and comfort are our top priority!
