Some air conditioners seem to go on forever, but they do retire eventually. Window air conditioners are an affordable way to cool your home and are ideal for smaller spaces, such as apartments. Although they do not require a large upfront expense, homeowners still want to make sure they get the most out of the air conditioner they buy. Most window air conditioners have similar service lives, but their longevity depends on use, maintenance and proper storage. Average Lifespan Most window air conditioners have a service life of about 10 years, but this can vary depending on how often the unit is used and whether or not it is properly maintained. Air conditioners that are only used for a couple of months each year typically have a longer service life than those used several months each year. Most manufacturers include a warranty with their window air conditioners which indicates the expected life of the units. Some offer a 5 year warranty on all parts, while others offer longer warranties.

A Dirty Unit Dies Young Regular maintenance of your window air conditioner ensures it runs efficiently and can prolong its service life. Dirty filters prevent proper air flow, which means your air conditioner has to work harder to provide cool air to your home. And if the air flow is blocked, the air that bypasses the filter may bring dirt into the evaporator coil, which reduces its ability to absorb heat. how much for a new ac unit installedWindow air conditioners typically have a filter inside the grill. types of ac units for homeSome filters are reusable, but others must be replaced. do window ac units need waterCheck your window air conditioner manual to determine the type of filter yours uses. The evaporator and condenser coils can also collect dirt over time, so clean these every year and clean the drain tubes as well.

Many window air conditioners have a drain pan where a tube carries condensation from the unit. If this tube is plugged, your air conditioner won’t run as efficiently, and this can shorten its service life. Run a stiff wire through the drain tubes to clear buildup and scale. Location and Sizing Can Extend Life Window air conditioner life can be prolonged if the window it’s installed in is out of direct sunlight. A north wall or a wall that is shaded is usually ideal because heating of the air conditioner from the sun is minimized in these locations. Before you install, check the heating and cooling capacity for your air conditioner. If it is too small, it won’t be able to handle the cooling load during hot spells. Most air conditioner manufacturers include capacity on the label. The required capacity for the room depends on the size of the room. Window air conditioners range in capacity from 5,500 Btu (British thermal units) per hour to 14,000 Btu per hour. Your unit may be sized by “ton,” which is 12,000 Btu per hour.

Typically a window air conditioner needs 20 Btu for every square foot of space. Proper Storage If window air conditioners are not stored properly when not in use, they may become damaged or dirty, and this can limit the service life. Remove your air conditioner when it’s no longer in use and place it in a dry location. Cover the air conditioner to prevent dust and debris from falling inside and keep it in a location where it will not be kicked or bumped. Do not store a window air conditioner on a high shelf where it might fall. References Natural Resources Canada: Room Air ConditionersSunland Home Inspection: Component Life Expectancy and Component Replacement CostsU.S. Department of Energy: Maintaining Your Air ConditionerThis Old House: How Long Stuff LastsU.S. Department of Energy: Room Air Conditioners Photo Credits Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Quality products and unmatched customer service are the key drivers behind Perfect Aire. From dehumidifiers of various capacities to an assortment of portable, window, and through the wall air conditioning units, Perfect Aire offers products suited to a wide range of cooling and dehumidifying needs.

We also offer a variety of ductless mini-split solutions, which allow for the comfort and convenience of central air without the expensive cost of duct installation. Additionally, Perfect Aire's Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) offer excellent energy efficiency, sleek design and a low profile footprint. Perfect Aire dehumidifiers and air conditioners use non-ozone depleting refrigerants, and our Energy Star rated units offer a perfect mix of performance and efficiency. Our products are stylish and consumer friendly as well as easy to install and operate. Units feature electronic controls, programmable thermostats and energy saving modes. Perfect Aire Micro Mist ultrasonic humidifiers disperse water particles that are smaller than those of regular ultrasonic humidifiers. Benefits of these smaller particles include up to 40% greater output, quicker air dispersion, 25% greater room coverage, and less condensation on and around the unit. Should you need any support with our products, please contact us - we are glad to assist you.

When you need the best, look no further than Perfect Aire®. Our product offering includes a wide output range of Single-Zone Split and Multi-Zone Split Systems.  The option choices that have been engineered into our equipment in combination with a meaningful no hassle warranty provides our professional clientele with unparalleled value. A Perfect Aire system delivers more “bang for your buck” than any comparable equipment on the market today. In addition to our Ductless Cooling and Heating products, Perfect Aire also offers one of the most comprehensive Room Air Conditioning (RAC) product lines in the industry today. From Cool Only, Cool & Heat and Thru-The-Wall Window AC options to Portable Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers Perfect Aire have you covered. Today’s consumer desires more, expects more and demands more when spending their disposable income and Perfect Aire delivers on all counts. The challenging demands of the HVAC professional sector require products and solutions that deliver efficiency, comfort, quiet, flexibility and style, again Perfect Aire can deliver.