Different air conditioner systems have different lifespans. How long will your air conditioning last? Learn about why they break down and how to keep them running. Read more.
Depending on different factors, your air conditioner lasts from 12 to 20 years on average. The factors that will determine the lifespan of your air conditioner are:
As you can see, the first thing you need to do is to pick a good air conditioner and have it installed by an expert. It is not legal or recommended to do your own air con installation because you can increase the fire hazard in your home and surroundings.
| Air Conditioner Lifespan | |
|---|---|
| Central Air Conditioner System | Split Air Conditioner System |
| 12-15 years | 15-20 years |
You need a certified air conditioning installer, and you will find the best one on Service Seeking. Don’t worry about the price of air con installation because you can ask for quotes even before you hire somebody to do this work for you.
Get air con installation quotes, discuss the job in question and talk to many professionals before you decide on one. Once you do, you will have your unit installed in a way that guarantees its longest possible lifespan.
Now, it is the question of the rest of the factors. Not all the air conditioners are the same. Moreover, not all the air conditioning systems are the same. Let’s start with the central air conditioning systems.
You can expect your central air conditioning system to last somewhere between 12 and 15 years. To ensure that it reaches its best possible lifespan, you need to be certain that its capacity matches the space that it cools.
Mismatching the capacity and the space means that the central air conditioning will work overtime, which will cause faster and more severe wear and tear. This usually happens when the system is too big for the space it is supposed to be cooling down.
The central AC works until the space is cooled down, and then it automatically stops. Soon enough, when the temperature rises, it gets turned on. A powerful system used in a small space will, consequently, turn on and off all the time, which will be the end of it.
The first and the most expensive part to go will probably be the compressor. That is the part of the AC that suffers the most when the frequent on and off happens.
To make the most of your central AC system, find an expert who will help you choose the adequately sized unit and who will install it properly.
The split system air conditioners can last up to 20 years. On average, they last longer than the central air conditioning system. How come? Two things:
Besides the mismatched capacity of the system and the space it needs cooling, there are two other factors that can shorten the lifespan of this type of central system:
The evaporator coils that are dirty will get plugged up, which means that they will have to work extra hard. That always leads to early malfunctions and issues. The improperly sized air ducts put more pressure on the compressor, making it break down.
Split system air conditioning doesn’t have these types of problems, and that is why they last longer. They are ductless, which means no issues with the air ducts, and they have inverter systems (in most cases), which means that the compressor can vary in speed, and that eliminates the “turn on, turn off” problem.
The central system compressors last for about 10-15 years. You can expect those compressors in the inverter systems to last even longer.
Since this is one of the most expensive parts of your air conditioner, people rarely opt to replace the compressors and usually replace the entire unit when the compressor dies.
During a decade, usually more efficient and less expensive air conditioning devices are available, so it makes little sense to repair the old one.
You can guess that your compressor is about to die on you when you start noticing the following signs:
If you want to make sure your air conditioner lasts for a long time, you need to make sure it has been installed by a professional and that you have used it properly. Here are some of the ways you can prolong its lifespan:
As you can see, all these steps are actually there to help you enable the compressor and the condensators to work on their optimal lever without overburdening them.
If everything else fails, you need to replace your air conditioning system. Whether you have a central air conditioning system or a split system, replacing it will set you back anywhere from $1000 to $10,000, depending on several factors.
If you have a split system, your air conditioner can cost you anywhere from $600 to $2600 for an average system. You can definitely find cheaper and much more expensive options, but this is the average.
To this price, you need to add the cost of your air conditioner installer, which can be anywhere from $60 to $90 per hour. For some jobs, 5 hours will be enough, while others can last up to several days.
Central air conditioning systems are much more expensive, and they can be priced anywhere from $ 5,000 up. There are a lot of ducts to be installed and a lot of work to be done. That’s why your air conditioning installation will be a significant sum.
If you are planning this investment, start by finding a good air conditioning installer and discussing your needs and your situation with them. They can suggest the best air conditioning system for you and give you an estimate of the hours of work that this installation will require.
Find the best quotes for air conditioner installation at Service Seeking since our website gathers the best experts from your area and beyond. They will readily answer all your questions and give you the correct quotes for your air conditioning.
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