When the end of winter comes around, it is a perfect time to check up on your home’s furnace to see how long you can expect it to last. You might find out that the heating system was already on the verge of breaking down before you checked it, or you could discover that your furnace will most likely last until next winter season.
Either way, the general rule of thumb is that a gas furnace will work well for about 15 years, but an electric furnace will last about 20 years—if you maintain the heating system properly with annual professional inspections and tune-ups. That’s really the best way to make a furnace last for as long as possible: don’t fall behind on maintenance every winter.
