With adequate maintenance, a heating and air system will normally last about fifteen years. After that, the unit will wind up being less effective. This is both because of wear and tear and due to the fact that the technology becomes outdated. Some systems start with a shorter life-span, closer to ten years. Another thing to consider is repair and maintenance. Not having routine service can shorten the working years to as low as five.
Other variables that come into play when going over how long your HVAC system will last consist of everyday use, installation and size of the unit. If it is used heavily on a daily basis, not the appropriate size, or has not been installed correctly, it may need to be replaced in less than fifteen years.
Heating and Cooling Performance
There are a couple of primary factors that your A/C efficiency ought to matter to you. The first factor is that the less effective your A/C system is, the more money you will pay out in energy expenses. The second factor is that the more efficient that your A/C system is, the cooler it will manage to keep your home. When your air conditioning is still cooling, but not well enough, it is typically because your heating & cooling system is no longer as reliable.
Aspects that Affect HVAC Performance
After ten to fifteen years the regular wear and tear on the system will cause it to be less effective. If it has not been serviced two times a year then the efficiency will suffer. This can happen in as little as one season.
Additions to a home or over usage can suggest that a system that was once the correct size for your home is no longer adequate. This will create the existing system to be far less efficient than it once was. Naturally, if it was the incorrect size, or was installed improperly, the unit will be less efficient. This will also substantially reduce the life-span of the unit.
The Cost of an Out-of-date Cooling And Heating System
Not only will an older A/C unit cost you money by being less efficient, it will also cost more to repair if it happens to breakdown.
Heating and cooling systems that are more than ten years old are often cooling utilizing an R-22 refrigerant. This refrigerant is no longer produced and as an industry standard is no longer used in new a/c units.
While there is definitely nothing wrong with still using your ac if it uses an R-22 refrigerant, just be aware it will be quite pricey to fix should it break down. In this situation, you might want to think about purchasing a newer model.
Is It Time to Upgrade My A/C Unit?
It can be a difficult choice to upgrade your existing A/C system. However, if you end up needing to make pricey repairs season after season, the decision may be well worth it. A new system can even help to pay for itself in the long run by decreasing your month-to-month or annual energy costs.
Tips To Reduce Energy Consumption With Central AC Use