We always do our best to repair an air conditioning system before we would ever recommend a replacement. We often fix the air conditioners that other companies condemn! Still, any air conditioning system will need replacement. And oftentimes, homeowners are surprised to hear about it when it happens to them.
So how long will your air conditioner last? That depends. Many estimates say an air conditioner should last 10-15 years, but there are factors that can get in the way of that. Treating your air conditioner properly can help it to last for longer. We want to help you get the most of your AC system. Check out some of the reasons central air conditioners don’t last so long below, and learn how to keep your investment for longer.
What You Should Expect from an Air Conditioner’s Lifespan
As we mentioned before, your air conditioner will last about 10-15 years, but this number can vary significantly based on how often you use it and how well you take care of it. Air conditioners that receive regular maintenance and filter changes may even exceed their expected lifecycles.
However, those that are installed improperly, have defective parts, or never get the timely service they need can fail after only 5 or 6 years. And this is something you want to prevent at all costs (assuming that’s less than the cost of a new compressor or a whole new system).
Improper Sizing Decreases the Lifespan
One of the things that can significantly decrease your air conditioners lifespan is if the unit was never the right size for your home to begin with. Unfortunately, many people and even some amateur installers don’t understand how important sizing is to an air conditioner’s lifespan. They assume that a larger unit will work better. A smaller unit will simply not perform as well, but that’s the price you pay to save on installation.
However, a small air conditioning system is a big problem. It won’t have the capacity to cool the home, but will continue to try, hiking up your bills to extremes and running constantly until it wears out after a few short years. And an air conditioner that is too large can short cycle, running too frequently in short spurts, which also wears down the parts too quickly.
There is only one size of air conditioner that is right for your home! A technician with the right training and experience should always be enlisted to help choose and install your new air conditioner.
Lack of Maintenance Also Decreases Lifespan
Another thing that can reduce the lifespan of your air conditioning system is a lack of maintenance. You should be changing your air filter each and every year. A dirty air filter can cost you more each year, adding enough dust and debris to block air from flowing throughout your home and make your AC work harder than it should. In addition, you should schedule professional maintenance for your AC each year to reduce the effects of wear and tear.
Call Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning services in Colorado Springs, CO.
