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 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 contemplating 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 understanding a little bit more about your system is very beneficial.

As long as they are working without problems, we don’t pay a lot of care to our furnaces. But as soon as it goes out, or causes issues, we absolutely 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 down the road. And this doesn’t just pertain to 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 identify how old your furnace is?

Your furnace should have a sticker located someplace 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 check if it’s located inside that door.

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

Serial number on a furnace 

If you are still having issues, you can communicate with the manufacturer directly, or contact Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc for help.

Why is the age of your furnace important?

Sometimes, when you’ve had a furnace about 15 years, it’s time to start looking for a replacement system to help enhance efficiency and overall operations. Newer models often 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 signs that indicate it might be time to shop for a new furnace. A handful of these signs include:

  • Rise in energy costs without major adjustments to the thermostat.
  • More frequent and costly repairs to fix the furnace.
  • Reduction 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 Phoenix to give you some guidance, we’re here for you. You can call us at 602-832-7808 or arrange an appointment with us online.