How Often Should I Replace My Furnace?
Goodman furnace systems and furnace parts are known for their reliability, durability, and longevity, which makes them a popular choice among homeowners. When you keep your Goodman furnace well maintained and tend to repairs when they are needed, your Goodman furnace can last from 15 to 30 years. If you live in climates with milder winters and your furnace sees less use, you can expect your system to last toward the 30-year mark. Greater use in winter may put its longevity closer to the 15-year mark. Either way, you should always watch for signs of waning efficiency to prevent your utility bills from becoming too high.
When Should an AC be Replaced?
The average lifespan for most air conditioners is between 10 and 15 years. While the make, size, and use of the system can affect its longevity, maintenance is the most significant deciding factor as to the longevity of your air conditioning system.
If you maintain your system well and take care of any repairs when they arise, your system can last up to 20 years, though it may begin to lose its efficiency around the 12 to 15-year mark. If you use a heat pump for your air conditioning, you can expect the system to last between 10 and 12 years.
Does an Integrated Furnace And AC Last Longer?
Since most AC units and heat pumps are designed to last 10 to 15 years and furnaces around 15 to 20 years, you may wonder how long an integrated system is designed to last. If you live in areas with more temperate weather, you can expect your integrated system to be efficient up until the 12 to 15-year mark with regular maintenance. Yet, you may want to consider replacing the whole system if there are any major repairs after the 10-12 year mark, or you notice a significant decrease in efficiency.
Goodman Furnace Parts Number: How to Find My Furnace Make and Model
If your Goodman furnace needs repair, you will need the correct goodman furnace parts number to complete the repair. The best way to find the right OEM parts for your furnace is by knowing where to locate the model and serial number on your system.
The model and serial number are easy to find in a Goodman furnace and are typically located on the rating plate. The furnace rating plate is a thinner piece of metal located either on the side of the unit itself or around the top panel, close to the refrigerant valves. If not found in either place, it may be on the backside of the unit, though this is not the typical location.
How to Read a Goodman Furnace Parts Serial Number
The next step in finding the right goodman furnace parts for your furnace system is being able to read the serial number. The encoded number will tell you what year and month the system was manufactured. These will be the first four digits of the serial number. The first two are the year and the second two are the month.
For example, if your Goodman furnace serial number is 100561782, it means it was manufactured in May 2010.
Goodman Furnace Parts Maintenance
Furnace maintenance is one of the most important factors when it comes to painting the function and longevity of your system. Maintaining your furnace properly comes with several benefits, including:
- Helping maintain your warranty: If you have a good warranty on your system, you will want to make sure it is available when you need it. That typically means that your system will have to be properly maintained or your warranty will be invalidated.
- Ensuring efficient operation of your system: HVAC furnace systems are prone to dust, dirt, and grime, which can build up in your system and cause it to work less efficiently. Regular maintenance will keep your system clean and operating as it should. We offer a range of replacement goodman furnace parts.
- Improving the longevity of your system: Your furnace is designed to last an average of 15 to 20 years, but you can extend that time frame even longer with proper and regular system maintenance. Poor maintenance can significantly reduce the performance of your system, leading to furnace replacement earlier than normal.
- Improve Your Home’s IAQ: A clean system means less dirt and debris will build in your system. This will prevent the dirt and dust from getting back into your system's ductwork and circulating throughout the air in your home.
- Catching small repairs before they become large ones: During your regular maintenance visit, the HVAC technician will thoroughly inspect your system and let you know of any issues that may need repair. Taking care of more minor problems when they occur can prevent larger, more expensive ones in the future.
Your furnace will need maintenance once a year and typically will be scheduled in the fall before you start to use your system for the season. During your maintenance, your technician will perform a thorough cleaning of your system as well as an inspection of all your parts and system's function.
Furnace Troubleshooting & Inspection
During your furnace inspection, your technician will start by checking over the parts of your system to ensure that they are in working order and make sure they are clean and lubricated. Some of the goodman furance parts or heat pump that your technician may inspect include:
- Defrost control board
- Rollout switch
- Draft inducer
- Inducer motor
- Gas valve
- Pressure switch
- Fan motor
- Air pressure switch
- Capacitor
- Furnace flame sensor
- Fan blade
- Air handler
- Thermostats
- Circuit board
- Ignitor
- Hot surface igniter
- Control board
Your technician will also have to inspect your furnace to ensure that it meets certain safety and performance benchmarks vital to the operation. Some of the systems and functions your technician will check include:
- The levels of carbon monoxide
- If the flue is venting appropriately
- That the gas lines are in good condition and have no damage or corrosion
- That the safety shut-off equipment is functioning properly
- The condition and function of the heat exchanger
- The cleanliness and condition of the air filter
- That the flame sensor is clean and working properly
- That the furnace responds to the thermostat temperature rising
- The condition and function of the blower motor
Furnace Cleaning
After your technician has checked the safety and function of your system, they will begin the cleaning process. Cleaning your system thoroughly will not only improve the performance and efficiency of the system, but also help to keep your house cleaner.
While the goodman furnace parts and systems that your technician cleans may depend on your maintenance contract or the needs of your system, most will include at least the following:
- The flame sensor: The flame sensor is key to getting your system to start up. When soot builds up on the flame sensor, your system may not turn on when signaled.
- Plenums: There are two plenums in your system that are attached directly to the furnace. They look like metal boxes, and their function is to provide your system with air and transfer that air into your living areas. The technician will check these components for possible mold, loose insulation, and other debris.
- The furnace cabinet: The furnace cabinet that holds your system is prone to becoming covered with dust and buildup. This can be especially true if you have a filter not designed to catch small particulates. If this debris builds up for too long, it can affect your system’s performance.
How Long Does a Furnace Last Without Maintenance?
The key to longevity for your furnace is regular maintenance. Without regular maintenance, your system will not only work less efficiently, but parts can wear out more quickly. This is because dirt and clogging can block the airflow through your system, causing it to work harder than necessary and wear out more rapidly. Without regular maintenance, your furnace may only last up to ten years before needing to be replaced.
Symptoms My Furnace Needs to Be Replaced
While regular maintenance can help improve your system's longevity, it will eventually start losing some of its efficiency and need to be replaced. Knowing the signs that your furnace may be at the end of its life can help you prevent a sudden system breakdown and give you the time you need to shop around for the right furnace replacement.
While some systems may just fail suddenly, most will provide one or more warning signs before they quit working. Below are some Goodman furnace troubleshooting tips and things to watch out for that may be a sign that a furnace replacement will soon be needed.
Inconsistent Heating
A gas furnace's primary function is to provide comfort to your home. When the heating in your home becomes less consistent or doesn’t seem to reach or stay at the desired temperature, it could be a sign that one or more parts of your system are failing. Sometimes poor heating can result from one faulty or damaged component or more than one.
If your system is older, you are likely looking at the need for replacement instead of repair. When heating elements in an older gas furnace begin to fail, they can cause problems with the comfort of your home but can also cause a safety hazard.
If your system is newer, the damaged or faulty part may be able to be repaired, but you may want to look at replacement options and weigh the pros and cons of installing a new one if the repair cost is high.
Efficiency
The heating and cooling of your home make up about half of your home’s energy use during the year and half of your utility bills. This makes efficiency crucial, especially as energy costs continue to rise.
Damage to your system, poor HVAC maintenance, and even just age can reduce the efficiency of your system. When that energy-efficiency level becomes too low, a new system is advised. In many cases, you will be able to recoup the cost of the new system within a few months due to the energy savings you will enjoy with a more efficient model.
If your current gas furnace has an AFUE rating of 70% or less, that means that only 70% of the fuel provided will translate into heat for your home. 30% of that energy will become exhausted. Nowadays, there are furnace options that have AFUE ratings of 90% or higher, which means 20% more of the fuel you are paying for will directly translate into heating your home.
If you notice a significant increase in your utility bills, inconsistent with the fluctuation in outdoor temperature, it could be a sign that your furnace is no longer working efficiently and is ready to be replaced.
Costly Repairs
Another time to consider replacing your HVAC system is if it has consistently had problems or had multiple significant or costly repairs. Replacement parts for a furnace can be expensive, as well as the labor to fix them. Repeated calls for issues can quickly add up and cost less than what you would pay for a new system.
Additionally, if significant problems occur with your system and the main parts are failing, it could also be a sign that your system is at the end of its longevity. Repairing and replacing parts will only prevent a breakdown for so much longer.
You may wonder if the repairs are becoming less economical than a replacement. While there is no magic number, most homeowners will consider replacement instead of a repair if the costs for the total repairs will be 50% or more of the cost of a new system.
Find the Goodman Furnace Parts You Need at Superior Home Supplies
If your Goodman furnace needs repairs, we have the Goodman parts you need in stock and ready to ship. If you think it is time to replace your current furnace or HVAC system, Superior Home Supplies has the top brands and HVAC systems with the features you need to keep your home comfortable all year round. Find out more about the systems we offer or contact us today to find the Goodman parts you need to repair your furnace.