Every appliance has a lifespan. The same is true of your air conditioner. So, how long do air conditioners last? While AC repairs can help keep your air conditioning in good working order during that lifespan, eventually, the efficiency starts to go, and repairs will cost more than the replacement cost. This is what we call your ACs lifespan, and when your AC maintenance technician will suggest a replacement instead of constant repairs.
But how do you know the current lifespan of your AC? This is not information commonly shared when buying a house, and homeowners are often left to guess at the age of their AC and how much time they have left until the next replacement becomes necessary.
At Energy Stars Heating & Cooling Co., we know the ins and outs of appliance maintenance because we specialize in efficient home hardware. We can help you understand how long air conditioners last and when it’s time to schedule an AC replacement for your home.
Estimating Your AC’s Current Age
First, estimate the current age of your AC. This will help you determine how long your AC will last past this point when combined with its lifespan.
Was your home built in the last 15 years? If so, there’s a good chance you still have the original AC that was installed when the home was built. If the realtor gave you the age of the house, this might also be the age of your AC.
If the AC was installed more recently, you might find the date on the unit itself. Check for a metal nameplate with the manufacturing date. Typically, the AC will have been manufactured within a year or two of its installation.
Factors Impacting Your Air Conditioner’s Useful Life
The average air conditioning unit lasts between 10 and 20 years, depending on a few important factors.
Rate of Use
The more your AC is used, the faster it will wear out. This means that air conditioners will last longer in cold regions where the AC is only needed for a few short months a year. Likewise, ACs are replaced at a faster pace in warmer regions with longer and hotter summers.
Level of Upkeep
Maintenance also plays a major role. An AC whose coils are regularly cleaned, with frequent filter changes, and whose parts are replaced as soon as they start to wear out will last much longer than one that runs year after year without a tune-up.
This is because built-up dust and/or compensating for worn parts will wear out the rest of the unit faster. Without regular maintenance, an air conditioner will reach the end of its life far more quickly than expected.
Exposure to the Elements
Finally, there is exposure. Most ACs come with a two-unit design, with the compressor located outdoors. The outdoor compressor can wear out much faster than the indoor unit if weather or local conditions are hard on it. Living in a humid place or by a body of water can cause corrosion from the moist air. It can also wear out if you allow too many leaves to build up around the condenser or if its system is clogged up by growing plants nearby.
Why AC Maintenance is Important
Proper AC maintenance is key to ensuring that your air conditioner lasts as long as possible. With regular maintenance, such as yearly cleanings and inspections, an AC unit can last up to twice as long —up to 10-20 years— compared to one without regular maintenance. This is because reduced damage from each warm weather season will not accumulate and cause more serious damage over time, resulting in a longer lifespan for the unit.
Professional AC maintenance also allows you to catch issues early and replace wearing-down parts before they break inside the unit and cause further damage.
Choose Energy Stars Heating & Cooling Co For Air Conditioning & Heating Needs
At Energy Stars Heating & Cooling, we are dedicated to helping homeowners achieve ideal energy efficiency levels for their heating and cooling systems. If your AC is ready for its next maintenance tune-up, our team will ensure skilled HVAC technicians always see to your appliances.
If your air conditioner is not working as efficiently and needs to be replaced, we can help you find the best appliance for your home that will save you money on energy costs, lower your bills, and minimize your carbon footprint. Our team will also ensure a smooth and efficient transition during the replacement process.
For more information or to schedule your AC service, contact us today.