It's highly unlikely that your central air unit will last 30 years before it needs to be replaced; however, with proper maintenance and operation, you can increase its lifespan to around 15 years. Air conditioners typically last between 10 and 15 years, depending on several factors. On the other hand, air conditioning systems can even last up to 30 years before needing to be replaced. Generally, more expensive items tend to last much longer.
So, how long do air conditioners last? Central air units will usually last 12 to 17 years with average use and good 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 instance, 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. Homeowners can handle some maintenance tasks, such as repairing home air conditioners or maintaining furnaces, without charges for service calls or expensive parts. As the leading repair company for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for commercial and residential use in Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton, Superior Mechanical can do it all, from heating and air conditioning services to boiler services and plumbing services. As a result, service and minor repairs are performed more frequently and extend the total life of your HVAC systems. In addition, they cover the costs of replacing them when it's finally time to replace them.
It has never been repaired, except for some self-service services to replace the condensers and the fan motor and change the air filters on a seasonal basis. It's best to schedule air conditioning service in spring and boiler service in late summer or early fall. That way, you can ensure that your system is optimized for efficiency from day one. To sum up, while it's highly unlikely that your central air unit will last 30 years before needing replacement, with proper maintenance and operation you can increase its lifespan up to 15 years. Additionally, it's important to remember that more expensive items tend to last much longer.
