When was the last time you had to replace your furnace? For one local homeowner, his furnace was installed in 1974, and has been running ever since!

But Monday, Thomas Cole is getting a new furnace for free thanks to a local contest. As part of its year-long anniversary celebration, John Betlem Heating and Cooling had some customers enter its old furnaces in a contest to find out who had the oldest operating unit.

Of the 50 who responded, Cole came up the winner.

"My kids have been after me, for the last two years, 'Dad, you've got to replace that furnace.' Yeah, yeah, yeah I know, I know, I know. We'll it's still good, you know and then summer came and well maybe this is the year I’ll replace it, maybe not, it kicked right in, so I’m really, really thrilled,” said Cole.

Before winter arrives, a crew will install a brand new Carrier high-efficiency furnace in Cole's home.

The next 10 runners up received a $70 Wegmans gift card.