Explore How to Find Out the Age of a Furnace
Your furnace is the heart of your home’s heating system. It works through cold winters to keep you comfortable, yet many homeowners don’t know how old their unit is or when it might be time for a replacement. At Donovan & Jorgenson Heating and Cooling, we believe that knowing your furnace’s age helps you stay ahead of unexpected breakdowns, plan for replacement, and maintain reliable comfort for your home. Here’s how to tell the age of a furnace in Mukwonago, New Berlin, and West Allis, WI.
Why Knowing Your Furnace’s Age Matters
The lifespan of a furnace isn’t endless. As the unit ages, components wear out, efficiency drops, and the risk of failure increases. The average age of a home furnace is 18–20 years. By determining your old gas furnace’s age, you can make an informed decision: should you invest in repairs, or is it time for a new unit? Being proactive helps you avoid a cold-weather emergency and keeps your system running safely and efficiently.
Check the Manufacturer’s Label
One of the easiest places to start on your journey of how to find the age of a furnace is to locate the manufacturer’s label on the furnace cabinet. This sticker usually lists the model number, serial number, and sometimes the manufacturing date. If the manufacturing date is listed, you’ve got your answer. If it isn’t, keep that label handy: the model and serial numbers often hold the clues you need.
Decode the Serial Number
If the date isn’t obvious, the serial number can provide the answer. The serial number often contains a code that corresponds to the manufacturing week or year, though each manufacturer uses its own format. With the model or serial number in hand, you can contact the manufacturer or search online to decode the age of a furnace by serial number or the age of a furnace by model number. This step can save you guesswork and help you understand exactly how many seasons your unit has seen.
Look for Documentation
Beyond the physical unit, your paperwork might hold important clues. Installation invoices, maintenance records, or service tags often include the installation date or year. Since we know the average age of a furnace is about 18–20 years, comparing the installation date to that benchmark gives you context. If you discover that your unit is nearing or past that age range, you’ll be in a stronger position to decide when a replacement makes sense.
Inspect the Furnace’s Condition
Even without a precise age, you can assess how worn your old furnace appears. At Donovan & Jorgenson Heating and Cooling, we recommend you look for signs like rust or corrosion on the cabinet, unusual noises, declining efficiency, or frequent repairs as part of your exploration on how to determine the age of the furnace. When you reach the 15-year threshold, breakdowns become more common. If you’re experiencing sporadic service calls, rising utility bills, or uneven heating, it could mean your furnace is aging out.
Contact Us to Schedule Furnace Replacement
Understanding how old your furnace is isn’t just trivia—it’s smart home maintenance. By checking the manufacturer’s label and serial number, digging through documentation, and examining the condition of your unit, you gain insight into its reliability and future. If you find your system is nearing the end of its lifespan, showing signs of wear, or simply not performing the way it used to, the team at Donovan & Jorgenson Heating and Cooling is here to help. We offer expert inspections, honest assessments, and professional installations, ensuring your home stays warm, safe, and efficient. Contact us today to schedule a furnace check-up or discuss replacement options in Mukwonago, New Berlin, and West Allis, WI.
