You’ve probably searched online for the answer to this question and found a wide range of answers. When you purchased your AC, you were probably sold on the idea that it will last 15 years, but then some online guides tell you that an AC will only realistically last for 10 years. And to make matters even more complicated, you’ve got a neighbor who is replacing their AC system after only owning it for 5 years! What’s the deal?
Unfortunately, there are no hard rules when it comes to how long your AC installation in Grand Rapids, MI will last. Every situation is different, and we can’t really tell you the condition of your air conditioning system unless we’ve seen it or worked on it ourselves.
Though, we’d like to spread a bit of knowledge around and give you a guideline as to how long you can expect to keep your AC system in good shape.
The General Guidelines
Let’s start with some general guidelines that can help you make a good decision in the future. For starters, your air conditioner is probably not going to last 20 years, no matter how many times you get it repaired. Many homeowners like to think of their appliances as lasting forever as long as they take good care of them, but this is only half of the story. Your AC needs to be able to cool your home reliably and efficiently. Those measurements drastically dwindle by the time your system reaches even its 15th birthday, let alone the 20th.
Generally, air conditioners are designed to last somewhere between 10-15 years in age. 15 Years is a best-case scenario for an air conditioner that’s been maintained every year, that’s been repaired when it needed them, and that’s been run regularly and correctly for its entire lifespan. 10 Years is more common for systems that have had a bumpy road.
Factors That Lead to Early Replacement
Here are a few factors that can heavily impact your AC’s expiration date:
- Location. Here in Florida, we use our air conditioners for the majority of the year. In fact, other areas of the country are often surprised when they learn how much of our energy budget is dedicated to air conditioning alone! This increased usage can weigh heavily on the components of an AC, causing it to last fewer years than one that’s used in a more mild climate.
- Comfort. If your air conditioner can’t meet your comfort demands, then it likely needs a replacement. Take note after it gets fixed, and if repairs just aren’t doing the job, then you can get in touch with us for replacement.
- Botched installation. Many of the permanent problems we see in an air conditioner come from amateur installation. Issues like improper AC sizing can lead to an early replacement.
Our Team Can Provide an Evaluation
Are you in disarray because you’re not sure how close to a replacement your AC is? Perhaps it’s 10 years old but it’s still working just fine? Then we urge you to schedule a maintenance appointment with our team. We can give you a full system evaluation and let you know our personal thoughts on whether your system needs to be replaced or not!
Call GRmetro Heating and Cooling Inc for all your air conditioning questions and concerns!
