Guides

Plain-English answers about equipment age, with sources.

• How long does a furnace last?

  Most sources put a gas furnace's typical life at 15 to 20 years. See where that number comes from and find your furnace's age from its serial number.

• Is a 15-year-old AC worth repairing?

  A 15-year-old central air conditioner is at the end of the typical range most sources give. What the sources say, what to weigh besides age, and why the refrigerant matters.

• How old is my water heater?

  Find your water heater's age from the serial number on its rating label, and see how long tank and tankless water heaters typically last, with sources.

• What is R-22, and does my AC use it?

  R-22 hasn't been made or imported in the U.S. since 2020, but you can keep using and servicing an R-22 system. What the EPA says, and how to check your system.