What is the Average Life of a Central Air Conditioning System?
Keeping your home comfortable is something many of us take for granted. Our furnace and air conditioner are set through the thermostat, and it’s easy to forget about them if they’re running properly. While every air conditioning unit may be built differently, there comes a time in every unit’s lifecycle where it becomes less efficient or broken beyond repair.
Most air conditioners will last 15 to 20 years if you follow proper maintenance, but the conditions of each home could make a difference. Knowing the warning signs of when it’s time to get HVAC replacement in Denver, can keep replacement costs low – and keep your home comfortable.
Keeping Up with A/C Maintenance
Because these units can last around two decades doesn’t mean they’ll automatically make it that long. It takes some maintenance and upkeep, and there are other factors that can impact this timeframe. Depending on your personal comfort settings and the climate you live in, the rate of use can fluctuate. Making sure you keep up with regular maintenance can extend the life of the unit, and that means making sure filters are replaced, keeping the unit free of debris, and even having a technician come out to make sure it’s working optimally.
Your air conditioning unit is positioned outside, and that means it’s exposed to all of the effects of the weather. In Colorado’s unpredictable climate, that means that unit faces a lot of fluctuations in the weather. That can impact some of the hardware inside the A/C unit, making those regular inspections from a trusted professional even more important.
Signs You’re A/C Unit May Be Failing
Appliances don’t last forever, but there are a few things to look at to find out if your air conditioning unit is due for a replacement. One of the easiest indicators to start looking for issues is if your air conditioner is more than 10 years old. It will probably last a number of years past this milestone, but that’s the timeframe to start paying attention to the unit’s efficiency. Keeping the unit properly maintained will extend this lifespan, but the 10-year mark is when you should start preparing for the inevitable replacement.
Another main indicator is that your utility bills start rising. If you’re not using your unit any more or less than usual, but bills start increasing noticeably, that could be an indication something is amiss. Rising energy bills could be an indication that your unit isn’t running as efficiently, or it might not be running properly. Seeing a big jump from one month to the next without an increase in usage means it might be time to get the unit checked out.
There are a number of things that could contribute to your air conditioning unit’s decline, but the reality is that these appliances will wear out because they get used a lot. For more information on how to keep your air conditioner running efficiently, reach out to the experts at Sparks Heating & Air today.