HVAC Equipment Life Expectancy
Don’t believe your unit will only last 10-12 years!
One of the most common questions we get asked, whether it be during an estimate or service is, “how long should this unit last?” Wouldn’t it be nice if the answer was straightforward and easy? But unfortunately, there are a lot of factors that go into how long your HVAC system will last. Similar to the number of miles a car will last, how well you take care of your system plays a role in its life expectancy.
Unlike a car that comes off the assembly line ready to drive, your HVAC equipment comes off the line half-finished. The A/C lines need to be joined together, electric run to the units, sheet metal ductwork to connect and so forth. Believe it or not, a very large portion of a system’s life can be impacted during the final installation of the equipment. Systems come in different sizes and configurations, and picking the wrong one can severely impact life expectancy. Like trying to cram 20 pounds of potatoes into a 10-pound sack, it's just not going to end well. The same applies to HVAC. If you try to take a 5 ton A/C and put it in a house that only needs 2, you're setting yourself up for a future of issues and breakdowns. The same can be said regarding the maintenance of your equipment. We have it ingrained in our heads that we need to change the oil and filter on our cars every 3,000-5,000 miles, yet we oftentimes neglect the routine maintenance of our HVAC system.
As I tell all my customers, the number one way to reduce breakdowns and increase the life of your equipment is to change the filter. The second and equally important thing to do is routine maintenance and cleanings by a trained technician. A properly trained technician can comb through your system and ensure all parts are clean and operating within the manufacturer's specifications.
While some are of the opinion that the brand name of the unit comes into play, I am of the opinion that the name on the outside of the unit has little to do with how long the system will last. The reality is the manufacturers are making less and less of their own parts, and instead sourcing them from various vendors. Many manufacturers are using the same vendors to supply the parts needed to make their systems. So while they may look different on the outside, the reality is there is a good chance they share the same parts inside as all the other brands.
However, one thing that can come into play regarding brand name units is that some of the more well-known brands provide contractors with factory training. Meaning the contractor may be better trained to install and service the units. BUT, that is not necessarily always the case. A prime example of this is Consumer Reports, which will rank the same furnace under different names (ie Trane and American Standard) differently. They are the exact same furnace, yet they receive a different rating. How can that be? Moreover, all major manufactures are providing a 10 year parts warranty on most of their systems. So at the bare minimum, we can easily expect a system to last for 10 years.
So, all of this to say what? The answer is that it is really hard to say how long your HVAC system will last. But one thing I will say is that it is very reasonable to think that your system can last over 15 years if it is well designed, installed, and maintained. I routinely service systems that are over 20 years old and running just as good as they were on day one. My own personal system is from 1997, and in the six-plus years in my home, I have had to replace a transformer, only because the thermostat wire was not installed properly. Just like your car, small parts may be needed here and there along the way, but that is to be expected, and typically those parts are stocked either on a service truck or at a local supply house, but readily accessible.
If your current service provider is telling you to only expect 10-12 years from your HVAC system, maybe it is time to look for a new service provider.
