My furnace is over twenty years old.
I can’t be sure exactly when it was installed in the house.
When we moved in, the heating system was already in place and it certainly wasn’t brand new. Although the former owners of the property were not conscientious about upkeep, the furnace was in decent condition. I immediately enrolled into a maintenance plan with a local HVAC contractor. The company sends a technician to the house every fall to service the furnace and every spring to take care of the air conditioners. I’ve been very diligent about replacing air filters every month. Until the last couple of years, the heating system has proven wonderfully reliable. We live in an area where the cold weather lasts for more than 50% of the year and the temperature frequently dips below freezing. The heating system works hard day in and day, and we’ve been satisfied with comfort levels. However, just recently, I’ve noticed that the house feels chilly on especially cold nights. Turning up the thermostat just forces the heater to run for longer cycles, use more energy and result in more expensive utility bills. There’s also more dust floating around and gathering on surfaces. The furnace operation is a bit louder than it once was, and I’ve gotten stuck paying for a few minor repairs. Every year, when the technician shows up to complete the various maintenance tasks, he warns me that the furnace isn’t going to last much longer. He recommends that I replace it before it quits entirely. I can see the benefits in being proactive. I’d rather not be stranded without heat during a January blizzard. However, I’m reluctant to spend the money on a new furnace when this one is still working.