How can I determine the age of my furnace?

March 28, 2019

When you move into a new house, there is a lot to take in and study as you get settled in. You’re messing around with all of the new appliances and different spaces. For some homeowners, it also means seeing what upgrades or updates need to be made down the road. It may not always be top of mind, but your heating and cooling system must be on the list of potential to-dos. It plays a key role in home comfort, so knowing a little bit more about your system is very useful.

As long as they are running without problems, we don’t pay a lot of care to our furnaces. But as soon as it goes out, or causes challenges, we absolutely 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 anyplace on the exterior or interior paneling. If you don’t see a sticker with the model and serial number on the outer panels, find where the paneling opens up and check if it’s located inside that door.

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

Serial number on a furnace 

If you are still having issues, you can call the manufacturer directly, or contact E.B. Air, LLC for help.

Why is the age of your furnace significant?

Usually, when you’ve had a furnace about 15 years, it’s time to start shopping for a replacement system to help enhance 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 how old your equipment is, there are other factors that show it might be time to search for a new furnace. Some of these signs include:

  • Rise in energy costs without major adjustments to the thermostat.
  • More recurrent and costly repairs to fix the furnace.
  • Reduction 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 East Bernard to give you some guidance, we’re here for you. You can call us at 979-335-4262 or arrange an appointment with us online.