It's highly unlikely that your central air unit will last 30 years before needing to be replaced; however, with proper maintenance and operation, you can increase your chances of keeping the same unit for about 15 years. Air conditioners typically last between 10 and 15 years, depending on several factors, while air conditioning systems can even last up to 30 years before needing to be replaced. However, more expensive items tend to last much longer. So, how long do air conditioners last? On average, central air units will last 12 to 17 years with regular use and maintenance.
They tend to fail before components that produce heat due to moisture that passes through the system and runs out. The chemicals used in the system to cool and dehumidify the air, as well as the chemicals that pass through the system from the building materials of the house, are corrosive to the copper elements of the condenser and can cause them to erode and decay. The size of the unit does not affect its lifespan, unless it's not the right size for your home. For example, if you have a small 1.5 ton air conditioner trying to cool a house that actually needs a 5 ton air conditioner, the unit will break down much faster from overuse than if you had a properly sized (but more expensive) unit. At Superior Mechanical, we understand how important it is to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
We provide commercial and residential HVAC repair services in Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton, as well as boiler services and plumbing services. We recommend performing preventive maintenance on your system regularly; this includes replacing condensers and fan motors, changing air filters depending on the season, and other self-service tasks. Homeowners can also take care of some maintenance tasks themselves, such as repairing domestic air conditioning or maintaining boilers without maintenance costs or expensive parts. As a result, service and minor repairs are performed more frequently and extend the overall life of HVAC systems.
In addition, they cover the costs of replacing them when it's finally time to replace them. To ensure your system is running efficiently all year round, it's best to schedule air conditioning service in spring and boiler service in late summer or early fall. That way, you can maximize your unit's lifespan.
