Air conditioners are not a luxury anymore – they are a requirement for every home and workplace. Imagine you are sitting at home in the middle of summer, relaxing in a cool environment. But suddenly, you hear a noise or a clank from your air conditioner, and you ask the most dreadful question – is it already time to replace or repair?
The decision depends on the lifespan of an air conditioning system. How long can an air conditioner last? This one question solves most of your trouble. You may have read that 10 to 15 years is the average, but this is quite a short answer. The reality is more nuanced. Several factors decide how long your air conditioner will last. This blog post will explain the age of a cooling unit and the factors that influence its lifespan. Let’s explore.
The Industry Standard is 10-15 Years
Older air conditioning units used to perform for about 20 years. However, they were not energy-efficient, leading to a sharp spike in energy bills.
Modern-day units are different – they are energy-efficient and eco-friendly, but delicate. They have a predictable lifespan, even if you operate them with utmost care. Let’s go through a few types of cooling units and their average lifespan.
Portable units: Usually last 7 years because they work harder to cool a space and move around frequently, which can lead to wear and tear.
Split systems: A well-maintained split system can last up to 15 years in Sydney’s weather.
Ductless mini-splits: These are highly efficient and flexible cooling systems that can last up to 20 years
Factors Affecting the Average Lifespan of Air Conditioning Units
Several factors affect the longevity of air conditioners. Let’s discuss a few common ones to understand what to look for.
Installation Quality: The installation quality plays a crucial role. Your unit might be the most expensive one, but if the installation is poor, it won’t survive more than 6–7 years. Insufficient refrigerant amount, poor airflow and mechanical failures lead to a shorter lifespan. Always go for a professional service company like Surrey Air. We provide reliable installation services for longevity and maximum performance.
Maintenance Frequency: Most people overlook the cost of ignoring maintenance services. A cooling unit has several components – coils, filters, fans and motors. All these parts require care and attention to perform at maximum efficiency. If you ignore timely tune-ups, your unit is highly likely to wear out earlier than expected.
Usage Patterns: How people use their cooling units affects cooling capacity and longevity. Air conditioning systems that run continuously in sweltering heat tend to break down faster than those with a balanced usage pattern.
Local Environmental Factors: While we cannot control the weather, we should know how different weather patterns and environmental factors affect air conditioning units. Units in hot, humid weather tend to wear out faster. Therefore, homes and offices in harsh climates should sign up for frequent maintenance services.
Telltale Signs Your Cooling System is Failing
Watch for signs that your system is at the end of its lifespan.
- Replace it if your unit runs all day just tomaintain temperature—this means it’s lost most of its cooling power.
If your system can’t dehumidify at 72 degrees, it’s failing.
- Strange noises like clicking,rattlingand banging mean your system is nearing a breakdown.
- Frequent repairs are not going to fix your cooling unit. If a system has had more than three repairs in a year, save costs by investing in a new unit.
Add More Years to Your Unit
If you have a cooling unit that’s 5 to 8 years old, you can do the following to add up to 5 years to its lifespan:
- Replace the old thermostat with a smart one to minimise wear and tear and prevent short cycling.
- The outside unit needs to breathe. Spray the coils with a garden hose every spring. Clear away dust and debris.
- Leakage in the ducts puts a strain on the air conditioning unit, forcing it to work harder to maintain the same temperature. Less runtime equals longer lifespan.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait for the unit to completely break down. If your air conditioning unit has hit the 12-year mark, plan a replacement to avoid unnecessary repair costs. Also, don’t forget to take care of your unit’s maintenance schedule by signing up for our maintenance plans. Enquire more by contacting us.
