How long does a furnace last in Ontario?

Regarding the subject of furnace longevity in Canada, or more specifically Ontario, known for its wild and unpredictable temperatures and low negatives in the winter-well, what can we expect? Furnaces in the province tend to have a fairly predictable lifespan, but that can be severely reduced by lack of maintenance and poor attention to detail. In this article, we break down the approximate lifespan of a furnace in Ontario, plus address some symptoms for you to take heed of when it’s time to replace yours.

What is the cost of a new furnace in Ontario?

The general consensus for furnace cost in Canada (and we’re talking natural gas furnaces here) is between that of $4,000 and $6,500, with installation included.

A basic model may cost you a little less, running in the low to mid $3,000s, where a higher-end model with a more complex installation can cost much, much more than that. As always, expect there to be variation in your total costs depending on the size of your home, the furnace brand and model that you choose, where you live (since prices can vary by region) and the efficiency rating of the model you choose. For the higher-end costs, i.e., of $6,000 and more, this is usually assigned to high-efficiency units with typical installation from a fully licensed and fully insured HVAC contractor. 

Be careful of lower-than-average prices. If the price is lower than average, be skeptical of hastily done installations or non-reputable companies. You’re better off investing in a high-efficiency unit that will last you through the years, and not cost you twice that amount to repair or replace again when it breaks down prematurely. 

Looking to save money on your new furnace? Make sure to ask the team at Anchor Home Comfort about our fantastic discounts and financing options to alleviate some of the upfront costs! You’ll also receive a complimentary new system purchase quote from one of our home comfort advisors! 

How do I know if my furnace needs replacing?

Furnaces are tremendous investments and not appliances you’ll want to purchase and replace like you would pairs of socks. Furnaces can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars. But if your furnace is older and you are considering a replacement, there are a few signs you can make note of which can indicate the need to upgrade to a newer furnace. Here they are:

• Your heating bill has increased, or even doubled-and you haven’t changed your usage at all.
• Your system is making peculiar loud banging noises.
• There are unevenly heated or cooled spots in your home.
• Your furnace has a low AFUE. Newer furnaces have an AFUE of 90% or greater.
• Your furnace is cycling frequently.
• You’ve made more than a handful of maintenance calls these past few years.
• Your home is either exceptionally humid or dry.

Most furnace technicians or companies will recommend you look into replacing your furnace once it is 15 years old. That’s typically the rule of thumb, and it’ll help you save a ton. If your furnace is still functioning well and you aren’t noticing issues, ask a tech for their recommendation.

Can a gas furnace last 35 years?

The estimated lifespan of a furnace in Canada, especially Ontario, is between 15-20 years. 35 years is really pushing the mark, and for many models it could even be doubling what the average life expectancy of your traditional furnace is. 

Yes, some furnaces can last 35 years – and beyond. However, these furnaces tend to be lower AFUE due to the outdated models and may be costing you thousands in energy bills due to their age. Of course, if your current equipment is working, you don’t need to rush. But you’ll still want to inform yourself of the other options that exist, especially as repairs past the 15-year mark can cost you more than what you might end up saving with a newer furnace. Furnaces are not the place to be sentimental! They’re an integral component of your home’s cooling and heating system and shouldn’t be overlooked. 

Should I replace my 15-year-old furnace?

When furnaces are getting up there in age, it boils down to the question-to replace, or to repair? Around the 15-year mark, you could get away with either. If your older furnace needs repairs, you might need to assess whether you’d be better off just doing a total replacement.

Here’s a way to judge whether or not you should replace your older furnace: if the repair that you’re going to make to fix up the 15-year-old furnace is more than half of what it would cost to do a total replacement, then it might just make more sense to replace the whole thing. Once your furnace is over 10 years old, you can start making these assessments. This is especially true if the repair job would require the fixing of a major component, or if your current model of furnace is less efficient. 

For example, imagine your blower fan bit the dust and the repair was estimated at around $2,500. Since the average cost of a furnace can range anywhere between $3,000 to over $5,000 in Canada, it makes more sense financially to just replace the whole thing rather than continue repairing the old one.

But also check your warranty! Some manufacturers offer really great warranty deals which can last up to 10 years, 20 years, or even the entire lifetime of your furnace. If your furnace’s major components are still under warranty, you wouldn’t need to pay for the repair – or for the upgrade! Make sure to keep this documentation on hand, or if you decide to go through with the replacement, keep the new warranty information somewhere safe and secure.

Not sure whether to replace your 15-year-old furnace? If so, the team at Anchor Home Comfort is here to help and we encourage you to schedule a consultation appointment with us! We’re available 24/7/365 days a year! That includes after-hours, weekends, and holidays at no additional cost to you! Moreover, in the event that you do have to purchase a new furnace for your home, make sure to ask us about our incredible discounts and financing options so you can save money on your equipment! 

Book a consultation appointment with Anchor Home Comfort today! All consultations come with a complimentary new system purchase quote!