Is It Normal to Have a Problem With a Forced Air Furnace Every Year?

New Furnaces

• A new furnace is designed to operate efficiently, safely and without regular problems. However, "Consumer Reports" recommends that you have your furnace inspected and tuned up every year to ensure proper operations. The best time to do this is before the furnace is turned on in the fall or winter. The professional inspector should check the fuel burning system, forced air system, hot water system and steam system. In the interim, you can change the furnace's air filter yourself.

Condition

• If your forced air furnace is operating properly and has been regularly maintained and inspected throughout its lifetime, there's no reason it shouldn't operate without problems throughout the year. However, in some situations you may have a furnace that hasn't been properly maintained. If, for example, you purchase a used home, you may not be able to tell how the previous owners cared for the furnace. Even if the furnace is relatively new, the previous owner may have neglected care and maintenance, which may result in recurring problems.

Age

• Not all furnaces are equal, and older furnaces typically have more problems than new ones. Older gas or propane furnaces may, for example, have motors or blower shafts that require yearly applications of machine oil to operate properly, while newer furnaces have sealed bearings that do not require oil. If an old furnace has gone for years without such maintenance, it may develop regular problems and may eventually break down.

Other Considerations

• A new forced air furnace should run problem free, especially if it's newly installed by a professional. If you're experiencing recurring problems with your furnace, you have several options. Always check your furnace's warranty or contact the manufacturer if you're experiencing recurring problems. Also, some states have "lemon laws" that protect consumers from products that experience recurring problems or do not comply with warranties. Talk to your state's attorney general's office of consumer protection for information about what protections apply in your state.