The Life Expectancy of Central Air Conditioners

Your central air conditioner installation keeps a smile on your face all through summer’s stickiness, turning your home into a cool and refreshing respite from the heat. Are you treating it as nicely as it’s treating you, or are you contributing to its early demise?

Air conditioner life span
The typical air conditioner lasts around 12 to 15 years, with the life expectancy of newer models being slightly longer thanks to technological improvements. Helping your air conditioner advance to its golden years, however, takes effort.

Installation is integral
Was your system installed by a trusted air conditioning contractors ? Installation is a key component of system longevity. If your system is not properly sized for your home, components carelessly installed, and ductwork improperly connected and leaky, the lifespan of your system could suffer.

Maintenance matters
Routine heating and air conditioning repair is also essential to keeping your HVAC system in peak form. A neglected machine loses efficiency at the rate of 5% per year, using 10-25% more energy in operation than systems that are well cared for. That can quickly add up to a lot of wasted energy dollars over the years as your system struggles to keep up with cooling demands due to neglect and declining health.

What can you do to keep your air conditioner feeling young?

• Clean your air filter. 
  Replace or clean your air filter no less than every three months. Dirty filters sabotage efficiency and force your heating and cooling installation to struggle to move air through the system.
• Replace thermostat batteries regularly.
  Changing batteries twice annually ensures an accurate reading, improved comfort, and efficient operation.
• Protect your system.
  Install a fence around your outside condensing unit to prevent animals from damaging components. Keep weeds and debris free and clear of the fins and drain line. Consider the addition of surge protection to safeguard your HVAC’s costly, sensitive components.
• Make annual professional maintenance a habit.
  Annual professional maintenance by your local heating and ac companies is a valuable investment in safeguarding the lifespan of your system. It also prevents inconvenient (and often expensive) emergency repairs. A NATE certified technician can help you extend the life of your system by addressing maintenance needs you cannot, including:
  • Verifying proper thermostat function.
  • Checking and adjusting refrigerant levels. (Too much or too little can have a tremendous effect on efficiency and system life.)
  • Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, allowing your system to more easily and efficiently cool your home.
  • Cleaning and adjusting blower components to ensure proper distribution.
  • Safely examining electrical components and addressing loose/faulty connections.
  • Lubricating the motor and other essential components.
  • Inspecting the condensate drain for clogs that can create humidity issues and water damage in your home.

All mechanical devices last longer with proper maintenance. Are you neglecting the most expensive mechanical appliance in your home? Add years to the life of your HVAC system. Contact us today to schedule your annual service!