How long does an oil furnace last? That’s a good question, with a somewhat complicated answer. On paper, an average heating oil furnace could last anywhere from 12 to 15 years or more – but we don’t live on paper. In the real world, the lifespan of your equipment depends on what steps you take to keep it in working order.
Steps To A Healthy Heating System
If you want your heating oil furnace to last as long as possible, try these tips:
Choose wisely. The lifespan of your furnace begins with two of the first choices you make about it: what model you choose, and who you choose to install it. Always select a reliable brand, and make sure your furnace is properly sized to your home’s heating load so it doesn’t have to overwork to do its job. It’s also critical to have your furnace installed by experienced professionals who know how to do the job right.
Get preventative maintenance every year. When it comes to prolonging the life of your furnace, nothing beats getting professional annual heating system service. With professional maintenance, your equipment will not only last longer, but it will also work better, run more reliably, and help you stay on top of small issues before they become bigger problems.
Regularly check and clean / replace your furnace air filter. Like most of us, your furnace hates to do more work than necessary – and that’s exactly what happens when it is trying to push warm air through a clogged air filter. That increased strain on the motor will cause more wear and tear on your equipment, which will rob your system of years of service in the long run (not to mention robbing your wallet of dollars in the short run). As a “bonus,” your clogged air filter won’t blog as much duster, dander, and dirt, either…which means your home air won’t be as healthy as it should be.
Consider a duct cleaning. Dirt build-up also affects your air ducts, lining their sides and eventually causing problems for the furnace itself. With a narrower channel through which to pass air, a furnace will once again have to overwork to do its job – and over time, that overwork will take a toll on your equipment.
Seal furnace air leaks. When an air leak forms along the furnace line, the furnace loses air before it even completes the process of heat production, leading to…you guessed it…overwork for your equipment. Unless the problem is fixed, that overwork can reduce the lifespan of your furnace.
Use sensible thermostat settings. Why make your furnace log hours heating an empty house, or providing more heat than you reasonably need to stay comfortable? With a little help from your programmable thermostat, you could save unnecessary wear and tear on your equipment.
Fix problems promptly. The longer you put off dealing with a heating system repair, the worse it usually gets, eventually leading to a heating system breakdown. The moment you sense something is wrong with your furnace – strange sounds or smells, for example – have it inspected by a professional.
Keep your oil-fired furnace running as long as possible with expert heating system service from Vaughn Oil. If your furnace is on its last legs, we can help you there, too, with fast installations of a range of quality oil-fired furnace models. Contact us today to learn more.
How long does an oil furnace last? That’s a good question, with a somewhat complicated answer. On paper, an average heating oil furnace could last anywhere from 12 to 15 years or more – but we don’t live on paper. In the real world, the lifespan of your equipment depends on what steps you take to keep it in working order.