Would you replace your furnace, simply based on age, even if its working fine?

[Hikergirl]

We replaced our unit last year based on age. We now have better efficiency with cheaper electric/gas bill. It was a good decision for us

Us too.

 

[goofyernmost]

No, but, I surely would start putting money away or planning for the inevitable. I know the house that I bought new in 1976 still has the original furnace and it is still working fine. As long as the firebox doesn't have any leaks all will be fine. It isn't that today it isn't working it is what might happen if it does have an issue. It might not be as simple as the thing just doesn't work anymore. A leak in the firebox can create a carbon monoxide leak, That is what Walt Disney's mother died from in the house that he and Roy bought for them. His Father, Elias was also very sick from it, but, recovered. Stuff like that shouldn't be gambled on. After a while, it might just be the "piece of mind" thing to do.

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• We had a gas furnace that lasted 30 years. I agreed to have it replaced when scorch marks were found outside the furnace.
• Going to natural gas was very easy for us as my older furnace is natural gas. Natural gas is also cheaper than oil where I am. It may be different elsewhere in the country. Perhaps a second opinion from another heating company is an idea
• how long do you plan to live in your home? A 20yr old home does not appear old... I would like to live there for another 20 to 40 years.
• We also had an energy efficiency check on the house. Window and door leaks were discovered. New insulation was blown into the ceiling, that greatly helped.

 

[QueenIsabella]

This really depends. My gut would be "No", but I would start saving/planning for the future change-out.

At our last house, we replaced the furnace. When the service company came out for a routine check-up, the guy pointed to specific signs of impending trouble. Because we were able to do it on a non-emergency basis, we were able to research furnace and get a good deal for a summer installation. The new one was very efficient, and we were glad to have it. If you can wait until next summer, you can plan better, and probably save some money.

 

[tvguy]

Another issue to consider is permits and code upgrades required if you replace a furnace, that would not be necessary if you repaired a furnace. I did $450 in repairs to my 25 year old HVAC this summer. The permit alone for a new system would be $500. Required ductwork upgrades add several thousand dollars to a replacement job. And of course the new unit would be at least $5,000.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I like planned replacement vs urgent/crisis replacement

I don't think I would race out and buy a new one, but I would plan to replace it within the next 2-3 years. And then I would do it in the offseason

 

[clutter]

If you get a new one, maybe you could warm the house up to 68 and still pay less for heat! Honestly, I think you're probably at the brink of needing something new. And given the age, you can probably get something a lot more efficient. So I would make my plan, and hope that I get it done before it breaks.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I wanna know how you people live in a 63 degree home?!? Man I keep it at 70 or 71 and I still walk around freezing with sweat pants and a sweater on! I would never be able to pull myself out of bed.

 

[dclpluto]

Nope I wouldn't change it.

 

[dclpluto]

I wanna know how you people live in a 63 degree home?!? Man I keep it at 70 or 71 and I still walk around freezing with sweat pants and a sweater on! I would never be able to pull myself out of bed.

70-71 is a little warm for me but 63 a little cool. I keep mine about 66 perfect temp imo for heat. Everyone is different. Years ago I had one dog that didn't like heat another one was cold. I had to find the happy medium for them.

 

[BrianL]

Wow, 23 years? That's all? Maybe it's the difference between oil and gas, or maybe they just don't make 'em like they used to, but my gas furnace is MUCH older than that and still works great. My house was built in '55, and I don't know exactly when the furnace was put in, but it was there when I was a kid, I know that much. I won't replace it until it breaks either. I have replaced the entire AC system (except the blower which is for AC & heat) since I've owned the house, but it gets a lot more use here in the South.

I agree with those saying not to replace it until you start to have issues with it.

 

[soccerdad72]

We replaced ours last year, just because we were already replacing our A/C unit and the HVAC guy we had doing the work said that the furnace would probably need to be replaced in a couple years and as long as he was replacing one, it would save us labor costs to do both at the same time. Our A/C and furnace were cheap, builder-grade units that were a PITA to maintain, even though they were only 10 years old. Hoping that these two units will last us as long as we plan on owning the house now.

 

[Patch'sD]

You never say what type of Furnace you have. Forced Air, Water, or Steam. Each have different life expectancies. What is the efficiency of the system now. The mechanic should have told you. You can look up your efficiency of the existing furnace.

 

[Terapin]

Yes. We replaced an 18 year old mid-efficiency furnace with an ultra high-efficiency furnace so we could control the timing and cost, and because there was a nice rebate deal happening. I was concerned it would fail at an inopportune time, such as a holiday or while we were away traveling, and wanted to plan for it, rather than be surprised. It runs a lot more efficiently and we figure it will pay for itself in just a few years.

 

[rwdavis2]

Replace? No. Ours is 20 years old, gas forced air, 90% efficient and working great. No reason to get rid of it. We get it inspected every year or 2.

 

[Darcy03231]

It would depend on whether or not I had an alternate way to heat my house while waiting for a new one to be installed if the old one died in the middle of winter.

We had an old furnace (25+ years) and there was nothing wrong with it. Had it serviced every fall. Every fall they would suggest we replace it due to age. Well, two years ago it died in the middle of February when temperatures were at their coldest (we live in central NH). It took four days to get a new one installed. Luckily we have a wood stove insert for our fireplace with blowers. With that and some electric heaters we were able to stay fairly warm while waiting for the new furnace. Since we got the new one its much more efficient that our old one and we've saved quite a bit on our oil bills.

If you have no other way to heat your home, I would seriously consider it if you have the money. If not, I would start saving and replace it as soon as possible.

 

[sunnyday123]

I suspect he was trying to sell you a new system from his company. I just replaced my hvac. It was 45 years old. It bit the dust at the end of August, so I did the ac, and used a window unit in the bedroom until it was done ( about a week ) and then just did the heat. I switched to gas-which I highly recommend if you can.

But there is zero way I would replace something based on the opinion of one tech, especially when it's running well.

 

[DVC-Don]

We replaced our New York home gas furnace when it was 22 years old. Seeing how we spend most of the winters in Florida I did not want to risk a break down in the winter months when we are hardly there. The new one is a lot quieter and uses less gas.

 

[mom2rtk]

It would depend on whether or not I had an alternate way to heat my house while waiting for a new one to be installed if the old one died in the middle of winter.

We had an old furnace (25+ years) and there was nothing wrong with it. Had it serviced every fall. Every fall they would suggest we replace it due to age. Well, two years ago it died in the middle of February when temperatures were at their coldest (we live in central NH). It took four days to get a new one installed. Luckily we have a wood stove insert for our fireplace with blowers. With that and some electric heaters we were able to stay fairly warm while waiting for the new furnace. Since we got the new one its much more efficient that our old one and we've saved quite a bit on our oil bills.

If you have no other way to heat your home, I would seriously consider it if you have the money. If not, I would start saving and replace it as soon as possible.

That's a good point. We are very happy to have zoned heating and cooling, so at least when the heat or A/C goes out, we can always hang out on the other floor of the house. It does suck though to have to replace 2 furnaces in 2 years, even if they are smaller. Do not ask how I know this.

 

[xlxo]

I was concerned it would fail at an inopportune time,

My furnace motor failed Xmas Eve.... oh the agony!

Called furnace guy Xmas morning.... He suggested waiting AFTER the weekend and holidays as a "double rate" visit was pointless in trying to get parts for a 10 year old furnace. Moved into a motel that night as temperatures were just below freezing. Went looking for portable heaters the next morning when stores were open. 5 days after the breakdown, furnace guy shows up when the parts warehouse was open. So happy to see it fixed. The portable heaters and luck was enough kept the pipes from freezing.