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How Long Should an Oil Furnace Last?

Oil furnaces are one of the most time-tested and reliable ways to heat your home. But replacing an oil furnace can be costly. How do you know when you’re going to need a new oil furnace? What’s the average lifespan of an oil furnace? This article will lay out how long your furnace should last, and what you can do to make it last even longer.

Average Life of an Oil Furnace

The average furnace lasts about 20 years, some even 25 years. It all depends on how well you or the previous owner had maintained it. If your furnace is more than 15-years-old, it might be time to start thinking about your replacement plan. 

How to Extend the Life of Your Furnace

As oil heating experts, we can’t stress enough the importance of annual check-ups. Scheduling an annual maintenance package for your furnace means adding years to the life of it and postponing thousands of dollars in repairs or a replacement. Having your furnace inspected by an HVAC professional once a year leads to minor repairs being taken care of before they become major repairs. A skilled HVAC technician will be able to inform you if your furnace is on the road to becoming a safety hazard, and what can be done about it. 

Aside from repairs, neglecting your oil furnace increases your heating bills on a regular basis. An unmaintained oil furnace that’s bogged down with sediment certainly doesn’t operate at the same efficiency as a clean, well-maintained furnace. 

If you’re looking to sell or insure your home any time soon, maintaining your oil furnace should be at the top of your list. A potential buyer or insurer might request that you replace the HVAC system entirely if they see a 15-year-old neglected furnace. 

What goes into oil furnace maintenance?

Maintaining your furnace includes regularly replacing filters, checking that duct connections are sealed, no obstructions to the shut-off valve, and much more. A skilled HVAC professional will know what sounds it should or should not be making, as well as when it’s worth it to replace the unit entirely. 

How to find someone to install your new furnace?

Maybe your furnace is already 20-25 years old and continuing to present you with problems. If so, it might be time for a replacement. When hiring an oil furnace installer, don’t just go with the first bid a contractor gives you. Ask around and get a few different estimates so you have an idea of your price range. But don’t just go with the cheapest bid, you’ll want to ask for a detailed breakdown of the costs. Sometimes what looks like the best price might end up being not-so-cheap once they’ve added on fees and additional costs.

Additionally, going with the lowest price might mean you’re getting the lowest quality work. The best thing you can do to assess an HVAC professional is to take a look at their reviews. You’ll get real information from your neighbors on what the company is like, their reliability, and customer service. Reading reviews gives you answers to the questions you didn’t think to ask. So if it is time for a replacement, study up on a few of your local oil furnace installers before it gets too cold.