Uncooked rice often contains the bacteria Bacillus cereus. These bacteria can form protective spores that survive the cooking process and if the rice is cooled slowly (and left between 5 Â°C and 60 Â°C for a long time), these bacteria spores can germinate, grow and produce a toxin (poison) that causes vomiting.
Obviously the colder a climate is, the more a furnace is required to run, and the shorter its life expectancy. With our relatively mild climate here in Seattle and the rest of the Puget Sound, the average life expectancy for a gas furnace is 15 to 20 years if well maintained, properly installed, and properly sized.
Just because you called an HVAC company and it performed an estimate doesn't mean you are obligated to purchase from it. Natural gas furnaces generally last 10 to 15 years, so don't budge on getting the best furnace your budget allows. When you call for a quote, ask the HVAC company about its licensing. A suitable contractor needs to be licensed and certified to install your new system.