How Long Does An Air Conditioner Last? Helpful Information!

If you’ve ever wondered how long air conditioners last, you’ve came across the query “how often do air conditioners need to be serviced?” It can be heartbreaking to find that your constant companion has a finite lifespan and won’t be around for eternity.

In the final stages of its life, an air conditioner is more prone to breakdowns and consumes more energy. The average lifespan of an air conditioner is 10-15 years, however this relies considerably on how you care for it. The life of your air conditioner can be extended with regular maintenance and other approaches.

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Even the best HVAC systems, no matter how well-maintained, will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

When it comes to air conditioners, it is critical that you understand how long they last as well as the elements that determine their life expectancy.

A well-made, well-maintained central air-conditioning system under average demand typically lasts 12 to 17 years.

If yours was installed less than a decade ago, you may not even think about upgrading for another decade. However, if you have any reason to believe that your system is about to collapse, you should set aside some time to keep an eye on its performance. What noises do you hear from the system? The thermostat may indicate that your home has a relative humidity of more than 50%, but does it seem humid to you? No, I don’t see a lot of dust on the surfaces in my home. As a result, “Kenyon believes that repair, if not replacement,” may be in order.

Determinants of Air Conditioner’s Life

An air conditioner’s lifespan depends on a variety of things. The following are the top five things that can shorten or lengthen its life expectancy:

1. Size of Your AC

Have you ever purchased an air conditioner without considering its size? Size can have a huge impact on the life expectancy of your HVAC system, but many people fail to consider it.

Having a larger HVAC system than is necessary will result in short cycles, which means that it will turn on and off more frequently. In order to keep things cool or warm, it has brief cycles.

To adequately cool or heat your home, a tiny unit will have to run for an extended period of time, increasing the risk of component overheating.

As a result, an HVAC system that is too small is being overworked. Long-term, this will shorten its usefulness.

You’ll find all the information you need on proper air conditioner sizing here.

2. Air Conditioner Maintenance

If you want to extend the life of your air conditioner, you should never overlook its upkeep.

If you don’t take care of your air conditioner, you run the risk of dirtying the condenser, clogging the drain, and more.

A dirty condenser uses more power, which puts your air conditioner in danger. If your system has to work harder to cool the house because of a dirty air filter, it will wear out sooner.

A complete annual check-up ensures that the filters are not clogged, the ducting insulation is properly sealed, and the condenser is free of dirt and debris. Regular tune-ups also reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and the associated high costs of repairs.

3. Thermostat Setting & Placement

What if your smart thermostat or ductless minisplit unit’s smart AC controller had an impact on the life expectancy of your air conditioner?

What if you’re still stumped?

Your air conditioner will become overworked if you make frequent adjustments to the thermostat or keep it at the same temperature throughout the year.

Changing the temperature too frequently causes your machine to shut down and restart more frequently, resulting in greater long-term wear and tear.

Depending on the season and the time of day, your thermostat settings should be adjusted accordingly. For example, you can’t maintain the same temperature throughout the afternoon when you’re abroad or at night, when the temperature outdoors is often cooler. With a smart thermostat, you can save energy and reduce the strain on your air conditioner by setting schedules or modes such as Comfy.

Aside from that, the location of your thermostat or air conditioner controller is critical. As temperatures fluctuate, it will produce inaccurate readings if it is positioned in direct sunlight or near appliances that release heat, Your air conditioner will have to work longer because of erroneous readings, which will result in higher energy consumption and a shorter lifespan for the appliance.

4. Air Conditioner Installation

Your AC’s lifespan might also be influenced by how well it was installed.

If you haven’t had a licensed HVAC professional install your unit, you may face future issues. Make sure the wiring is intact and the area is well-insulated before doing a do-it-yourself installation of a ductless air conditioning unit.

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Installing an air conditioner in a room with inadequate insulation would increase the workload on the unit, reducing its lifespan. The cooling cycle of your air conditioner may be affected and the compressor will be overworked if the refrigerant hoses connecting the outdoor and indoor units are too long.

Special consideration should be made during installation to the wiring of the air conditioner. Wiring errors can be dangerous and lead to system failures.

Check for leaks and cracks in your ductwork, and check sure your venting system is functioning properly if you have one.

For your own safety, you should only work with air conditioners that have been professionally installed by an HVAC technician.

5. Air Conditioner Usage Patterns

If you leave your heating and air conditioning system on all day and night, it will wear out more quickly. As a result, its typical lifespan is shortened. Your air conditioner is best used when absolutely necessary. Smart air conditioning, on the other hand, allows you to run your unit as efficiently as possible throughout the day, turning it off automatically when your desired room temperature is reached.

A few considerations are necessary if you want your air conditioner to function properly and last as long as possible:

• Use ceiling fans and dehumidifiers in the summer to keep the air conditioning system from overworking.
• When it comes to controlling the temperature and humidity in your home, using a smart thermostat or AC controller is a no-brainer.

If you’ve ever wondered how long air conditioners last, you’ve came across the query “how often do air conditioners need to be serviced?” It can be heartbreaking to find that your constant companion has a finite lifespan and won’t be around for eternity.

In the final stages of its life, an air conditioner is more prone to breakdowns and consumes more energy. The average lifespan of an air conditioner is 10-15 years, however this relies considerably on how you care for it. The life of your air conditioner can be extended with regular maintenance and other approaches.

Bạn đang xem: How Long Does An Air Conditioner Last? Helpful Information!

Even the best HVAC systems, no matter how well-maintained, will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

When it comes to air conditioners, it is critical that you understand how long they last as well as the elements that determine their life expectancy.

Signs that Your Air Conditioner Has Completed Its Life Span

It’s critical to know when to say goodbye to your air conditioner now that you know how long it lasts and what you can do to extend its life.

Your air conditioner may be nearing the end of its life if it isn’t working as well as it did in the past. The following are seven indicators that your air conditioner is nearing the end of its useful life:

1. Your Energy Costs Have Increased

The energy efficiency of a worn-out heating and air-conditioning system will diminish over time. The SEER rating of an air conditioner degrades over time. In the context of heating and cooling, the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is a measure of the unit’s maximum efficiency. An rise in utility costs is a direct outcome of a decline in air conditioner efficiency.

If you see a sudden increase in your utility bills and can’t figure out what’s causing it, it may be because your air conditioner is old.

It’s in your best interest to get the advice of an expert to conduct a comprehensive examination of your appliance.

2. Excessive Humidity in Your Home

When your air conditioner is running, it takes in warm air, removes moisture from the air, cools the air, and then returns it to your house.

During the summer, when the humidity rises, it will be unable to withstand the additional strain. The extreme humidity effectively nullifies the air conditioner’s cooling effect, rendering it useless.

3. Your HVAC Uses Freon

Refrigerants such as R-12 and R-22, which are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were once used in air conditioners. However, newer choices like R-410A are now used instead because of concerns that they aren’t eco-friendly.

The United States will no longer produce or import Freon on January 1, 2020. R-22 usage was restricted in 2010 when the limits were first implemented. Freon is almost certainly used in older air conditioners.

It’s less likely that you’ll be able to get a new HVAC system if your existing one begins to leak.

In this case, it’s preferable to switch to a more environmentally friendly air conditioner.

First, you need to get rid of your old air conditioner. The correct disposal of refrigerants from air conditioners is required since they contribute to global warming. However, despite the fact that R-410A does not harm the ozone layer, it still contributes to global warming.

4. Your AC Requires Repair Every Now And Then

Just two weeks after calling an HVAC specialist, your air conditioner has stopped operating once more. The problem with your air conditioner may have you scratching your head.

It’s clear that your system isn’t functioning properly because it shouldn’t need to be repaired so frequently.

Xem thêm : How Many Amps Does A Central Air Conditioner Draw? All Questions Answered!

If this is the case, you should ask yourself: Has it outlived its usefulness?

When air conditioners reach the end of their useful lifespan, they tend to keep breaking down.

So, the next time you consult with a professional, have them check out your air conditioner to see how it is doing in general. Consider letting it go if it turns out to need further expensive repairs in the near future.

5. Your AC Smells Bad

Even though AC odors aren’t uncommon, they don’t necessarily mean that your AC is nearing the end of its useful life. It is possible that your air conditioner is leaking.

• If you notice a moldy or musty odor when you switch on the air conditioner, you may have a problem with the filters.
• In the event of a strong odor of smoke, something is on fire.
• If your air conditioner smells like rotten eggs, it’s likely that a rodent or other small animal died and became entrapped inside.

If a technician has ruled out all of the aforementioned possibilities, then it’s possible that your air conditioner is simply too old to function properly.

6. Your AC Is Making Weird Noises

An unusually loud noise from your air conditioner indicates that it is nearing the end of its useful life.

• Grinding noises can indicate a problem with the motor. Lubrication is lost as a motor ages, increasing the amount of wear and strain. The expense of a new motor is high. If you can get a new one for half the price of the old one, it might be worth selling the old one and getting a new one instead.
• The belt between the motor and blower may be screeching, if you hear it. The belt is most likely to blame for this squeaking sounds. In addition, contemporary HVAC models lack a belt system to address the aforementioned problem.

7. Compressor Breakdown

Compressors are essential to the operation of your air conditioner. Compressing the refrigerant and pumping it throughout the AC is its primary function.

Your HVAC system’s compressor is one of its most reliable parts. In the event that it does fail before its anticipated lifespan, it is most likely due to an underlying issue that is beyond the control of the manufacturer.

If you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your heating or cooling system, it’s probably because it’s too old.

Repair is not recommended in the event of a failure for the following reasons:

• It’s a significant financial commitment.
• In some cases, it is impossible to repair.

How do you ensure peak performance, now and in the future?

If you possess an air conditioner, Kenyon suggests having it serviced on a regular basis by a professional. If you want to extend the life of your air conditioning unit, Kenyon believes this is the greatest thing you can do. However, “many maker warranties require it,” so it’s not always an option. Keeping a cooling system in good working order necessitates both regular and extensive maintenance. “A short, visual inspection” isn’t enough, says Kenyon. Technicians need to inspect all “essential components,” from the compressor-condenser to the fan and blower, in order to properly service a system (and sometimes even ducts). AC systems, like automobiles parked in the driveway, often do not last as long as they could if they are not properly maintained.

Should You Replace or Repair?

Choosing between HVAC replacement and repair is a difficult decision.

Your air conditioner, no matter how old it is, may be fixed just like any other item. The most important consideration is how much it will cost to repair the vehicle.

The basic guideline is that if repairing your air conditioner costs more than half of what you paid for it when you bought it, it’s best to replace it.

Since many people’s AC systems are over 10 years old, they may not need just one repair; rather, they might continue to break down at a certain point. To make matters worse, replacing your compressor, which is at the heart of your HVAC system, would be prohibitively expensive.

Replace your air conditioner instead of paying for repairs that are only going to get more expensive.

Newer models use R-410A refrigerants, which are not harmful to the ozone layer, so you won’t have to call an HVAC professional as often for repairs and maintenance. You’ll also save money because you won’t have to call for maintenance. Newer models, on the other hand, are designed to manage humidity more effectively, making your home seem more pleasant and comfortable.

How Can You Make It Last Longer?

If you want to extend the life of your air conditioner by a few years, there are a number of things you can do.

Your air conditioner will last longer if you maintain it, keep its indoor and outside units clear of debris, and pay attention to insulation.

Using ceiling fans and dehumidifiers, for example, can help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system by reducing the amount of work it has to do.

When making a big purchase like an air conditioner, you’re going to want to know how long it will last. All of the information presented here can assist you in deciding whether or not your air conditioner is nearing the end of its useful life and whether or not it is time to replace it. Keep in mind that your air conditioner will last longer if you take care of it properly and maintain it regularly.

Where to Hire an HVAC Service Professional

You must first determine the current state of your system before making any judgments. To have your HVAC system inspected, contact a local HVAC contractor or use Sears Home Services to set up a no-obligation in-home assessment. With the help of Sears project consultants, customers may learn about all of their options and, if necessary, get help with the repair or replacement process. Another perk: Sears stands behind all of its work with a Satisfaction Guarantee—a commitment to your project’s success that remains in place even after the technicians have left. When your family’s well-being is at stake, there is no alternative for calm.

Conclusion

The lifespan of air conditioners is limited. However, it only serves its role for a short period of time. A well-maintained air conditioning unit can last for more than 15 years. A decade may be the maximum life expectancy for older units.

An issue with your device might be identified by looking for these five frequent indicators. This is the time to replace your air conditioner if you see any of these signs. “how long does an air conditioner last?” has been covered. Click here for additional information on air conditioners.

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Danh mục: Conditioner