How Long Will My Central Air Conditioner Last? A central air conditioning system is a very complicated animal.  It uses the heat from outside when it is warm to actually cool your home.  This entire process is illustrated below.  Most people do not care how the cooling system works, just that it does work.  How long will it last?  This question is complicated. A cooling system's life span, like any other system's life span, depends on use.  If the system is used 24/7, then system will have a relatively short life span of 8-10 years.  This is typical of Florida. A cooling system in Wisconsin, however, may last 20 years or more because there is really only 2 months of the year you really need it. However, if someone runs it all the time for 5-8 months out of the year, the cooling unit will not last long. The chart above gives a general idea of how long cooling systems work for.  Please note that the systems may or may not last to the stated life of the product depending entirely how the system is used.

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For others, however, the decision to replace a unit happens before it stops working completely. Don’t wait until you are stuck without air conditioning on a hot day. Use these five signs to help you decide if the end is near for your central air conditioning unit.Schedule maintenance is important to ensure your unit is running efficiently, but when the HVAC technician knows you, your kids, and your dog by name, it might be time to consider a new AC unit. A simple, occasional repair will keep your unit running, but continuous repairs are expensive and a sign of decline.top ac unit brandsA well-functioning AC unit can keep up with changing outdoor conditions and maintain a comfortable, steady temperature at the right humidity levels. home ac unit fan not runningIf your central AC unit used to keep your home consistently comfortable, but stopped doing so, it’s time for an upgrade.ac power supply cost

3. Rising Energy Bills. Air conditioning units that are starting to fail may consume more energy than they did when they functioned properly. This usually happens because the AC unit now needs to run longer or more frequently to maintain a consistent temperature. If your energy bills are on the rise, your AC unit may be the culprit. If your central air conditioning unit is making banging, grinding, or clanging noises, it may be on its last legs. Units that turn off and on frequently are also indicative of poor operation.Most central air conditioning units last at least ten years; a well-maintained unit can continue to function for about 15 years. If your unit is more than ten years old and you are facing an expensive repair, you should consider replacing the unit. Even if your air conditioner appears to be working properly, newer models can work more efficiently and can cut your energy bills by as much as 20 percent. The most inconvenient time to have your central air conditioning unit break down is in the middle of a summer heat wave.

Your home will be uncomfortable, and repair technicians will be working overtime to accommodate all of the service calls. You may have to wait for several days–or even weeks in some areas–to get an appointment. Even then, you may have to wait for an additional period before a new unit is shipped and a technician is available to install it. The best time to replace an aging or failing central air conditioning unit is now, before the heat of the summer sets in. Most heating and cooling companies are slow during the spring as the winter rush has calmed and the summer season has yet to set in. Remember that your air conditioning unit can only run efficiently if your home is keeping the cool air in and the hot air out. That’s why we strongly recommend a home energy assessment prior to installing a new HVAC system to ensure your home is properly insulated and sealed. Thinking it’s time for a new central air conditioning unit? Get started with a free home energy assessment today!