How can I determine the age of my furnace?

March 28, 2019

When you move into a new home, there is a lot to take in and consider as you get settled in. You’re figuring out all of the new appliances and different spaces. For some homeowners, it also means seeing what upgrades or updates need to be made at some point. It may not always be top of mind, but your heating and cooling system should 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 valuable.

As long as they are running without challenges, 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 worthy 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 see if it’s located inside that door.

Write down—or take a photo of—the serial number for reference. Then go to the manufacturer’s website or search for guidelines on how to identify the manufacturing date. You might want to 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 change 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 indicates this particular system was made in July 2015.

Serial number on a furnace 

If you are still having problems, you can call the manufacturer directly, or contact JTech Mechanical for help.

Why is the age of your furnace imperative?

Typically, when you’ve had a furnace about 15 years, it’s time to start shopping for a replacement system to help increase efficiency and overall operations. Newer models tend to 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 factors that show it might be time to search for a new furnace. A few of these signs include:

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

If you have conflicting thoughts about whether it’s time for a furnace replacement, or if you want one of the most experienced technicians in Magnolia to provide you with some guidance, we’re here for you. You can reach us at 281-231-8768 or book an appointment with us online.