When you get a new heating system installed in your home, you breathe a sigh of relief. It’s over! You won’t have to worry about that again for a long, long time. But eventually you start to wonder. Just how long will it be until your heating system needs to be replaced again? How long do heating systems last?
We believe that people should have as much information as possible about their homes and the systems inside them. The more you know, the easier it is to make decisions that will keep you happy for as long as possible. We’ll tell you how long heating systems last, how to keep them in good condition, and how to determine when the time has come for heating system replacement.
Different Systems, Different Timelines
While any heating system is capable of keeping a home warm all winter long, different types will last for different numbers of winters. The least costly option to purchase up front is a natural gas furnace, but it will also last the fewest seasons. Generally, the best you can hope for is about fifteen years. Electric furnaces are somewhat more expensive, but last somewhat longer, closer to twenty years.
Boilers are a different type of heating system altogether. The infrastructure necessary in the home is quite different: forced-air furnaces use ductwork to carry the hot air through the house, but boilers use pipes of hot water running through registers or under the floorboards to provide heat. If your home is set up for it, though, a boiler is a remarkable system that can last for thirty years!
Keeping Your Heating System Happy
Whatever heating system you have, the most important thing you can do to prolong its life is to have routine maintenance performed every year by qualified professionals. Without it, your system will not last as long as we have told you it will: those estimates are based on well-maintained systems.
Maintenance also helps with system performance, so you’ll have the most consistent and even heat possible. It boosts efficiency, so your heat will cost less. It reduces the chances that you’ll need heating system repairs that year by as much as 85%! And it will keep your system under warranty so you won’t end up with unexpected extra costs that would otherwise have been covered by the manufacturer.
It’s also essential to have repairs done right away when you notice a problem. Heating repairs performed promptly can keep a heating system from encountering bigger issues. But when you keep trying to use a heating system as it struggles more and more, you’ll end up with major breakdowns. It could even cause damage that would be too costly to repair, forcing you to replace the whole system.
Time for a Heating System Replacement
It’s time to replace your heating system when it’s creeping close to those outer age limits and requires a costly repair, or starts requiring frequent smaller repairs. Other signs include poor efficiency or poor performance that doesn’t improve with consistent maintenance. One method involves weighing the cost of repair against the cost of replacement, and choosing repair only if it’s less than half the cost of a new system.
When it is time for heating system replacement on Long Beach Island, NJ, always consult the pros to find the best solution for your home.
You’re More Comfortable With Atlantic Air Systems. Schedule your appointment with us today.