Modern central air conditioner equipment lasts many years. However, everything has a shelf life, and while taking care of your HVAC system is essential to extending the life of the equipment, eventually you will need to upgrade, replace or repair the system. Modern AC equipment can last decades; you just need to have a general understanding as to how long your system may last, and what you can expect with every upgrade. 

Most central air conditioners have a life of 10 to 15 years. Naturally, each brand and model will have a slightly different lifespan, so talking over your options with your friendly, local professional HVAC company’s representative is a must. If you are purchasing a new system, make sure to have properly sized system installed in your home. Some homeowners, in an attempt to save money, go with a unit slightly smaller than recommended by the ACCA Manual J. This drastically reduces the lifespan of the hardware, as the entire system is forced to work overtime to cool the home. On the other hand, oversize units too large for the home may wear out faster as well. They will short cycle, with the equipment constantly turning on and off, which wears out the compressor. 

The compressor of a central AC system is one of the most expensive parts of the entire system. When it goes, replacing the system instead of repairing or replacing just the compressor is usually a better choice. Having the HVAC system regularly inspected can extend the life of the compressor, as any possible issues are corrected before a repair turns into something more costly. Have your central air conditioner inspected once a year, typically before the warmer summer months when you’ll be using the AC daily. This way, minor issues can be corrected, which also reduces energy consumption. 

Upgrading your central air conditioner is a great way to not only increase the value of your home but to reduce energy consumption. If you have questions regarding your current HVAC system, want to know how long it likely will last, or what sort of more modern central air conditioner is available for your home, make sure to give Paschal Heat, Air and Geothermal a call.