Some of our clients have been wondering if they need a new air conditioner. And we have found that a lot of people aren’t sure how long A/C’s are supposed to last. So, we thought we would talk a little bit about the lifetime of an A/C today on our blog.
It is hard to put a specific number on how many years your air conditioner will last. It really depends on how much you run your air conditioner over the course of the year. If you live in say Florida, you are probably running your air conditioner many more days out of the year as compared to someone who lives in Colorado. However, a general rule of thumb, according to most HVAC experts, puts the life of an air conditioner at about 12-15 years. However, you won’t get nearly that amount of time if you don’t properly maintain your air conditioner.
In order to get 12-15 years out of your air conditioner you need to have it checked out by an HVAC professional once a year in the spring. An HVAC professional will perform certain services such as checking your compressor and cleaning your coils to ensure that the unit is running at its best. By doing these checks once a year you will prolong the life of your air conditioner.
If you are having issues with your older air conditioner and repairs are required, be sure to talk to your HVAC professional about whether it is worth it to fix your A/C or not. Repairs can be costly and could potentially only “buy” an extra season. Additionally, there are a couple of bonuses to getting a new air conditioner.
The first bonus to getting a new air conditioner is that the refrigerant used in newer air conditioners is more eco-friendly making them better for the environment.
Something else to consider is the efficiency of your air conditioner. Over the years appliances, including air conditioners, have become more energy efficient. So, even though your unit may be currently running “fine” it may be using a lot more energy than is necessary. Trading up for a new air conditioner may save you energy therefore would decrease your bills.
When it comes time to get a new air conditioner remember that it is an investment. It is a significant cost but you want to be sure that you are getting a high quality unit that is going to last a long time. Make sure to talk to your HVAC professional about the best unit available for your home.
If you would like us to come to your home and take a look at your air conditioner to determine if it is time for a new one, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Call Dan Schmied at 720-876-7166 or email him directly at [email protected] with any questions.
