How can I determine the age of my furnace?

When you move into a new house, there is a lot to take in and consider as you get settled in. You’re getting to know all of the new appliances and different spaces. For some homeowners, it also means seeing what upgrades or updates need to be made later on. It may not always be top of mind, but your heating and cooling system needs to be on the list of potential to-dos. It plays a vital role in home comfort, so learning a little bit more about your system is very beneficial.

As long as they are operating without issues, we don’t pay a lot of care to our furnaces. But as soon as it goes out, or causes challenges, we certainly notice. That’s why it’s a good idea to find out how old your furnace is. Then you have an understanding of what you might deal with later on. And this doesn’t just affect homeowners moving into a new space. Anyone who isn’t clear how old their furnace is should take time and figure it out.

How can you establish how old your furnace is?

Your furnace should have a sticker located somewhere on the exterior or interior paneling. If you don’t see a sticker with the model and serial number on the outside, find where the paneling opens up and look if it’s located inside that door.

Write down—or take a photo of—the serial number to have on hand. Then visit the manufacturer’s website or search for guidelines on how to determine the manufacturing date. You could try searching for “find manufacturing date of YOUR BRAND furnace.” The serial number normally provides insight into the age of your system, but it does vary among brands. For example, for some brands, the first four numbers mean the year and month it was manufactured. In the photo below, the serial number means this particular system was made in July 2015.

If you are still having issues, you can reach out to the manufacturer directly, or contact Abilene Air-Tech Inc for help.

Why is the age of your furnace important?

Usually, when you’ve had a furnace about 15 years, it’s time to start looking for a replacement system to help improve efficiency and overall operations. Newer models typically have higher energy efficiency ratings and you’ll definitely benefit from the advancements in technology over the last years.

You don’t have to rely on age alone, there are other signs that indicate it might be time to look for a new furnace. A few of these signs include:

Surge in energy costs without major adjustments to the thermostat.
More regular and costly repairs to fix the furnace.
Decline in home comfort levels—you never seem to feel warm enough.

If you have concerns about whether it’s time for a furnace replacement, or if you want one of the most experienced technicians in Abilene to give you some guidance, we’re here for you. You can reach us at (325) 692-5850 or book an appointment with us online.