Answers from Hydes AC – Your Coachella Valley Air Conditioning Contractor
One of the most frequently asked questions that we hear from homeowners is, “How long does an air conditioner last?” Although we can provide a general answer to that question, the truth is that it depends on a number of different factors. Today we’re going to talk about how long an air conditioner is designed to last and what factors can prevent your system from living as long as it should!
How long do air conditioners last?
In general, a properly-installed air conditioner should last somewhere around 15 years. As you’ll see below, however, there a number of factors that can shorten the lifespan of your air conditioner by as much as 5 years or more.
Factors that can shorten the lifespan of your air conditioner
- Bad installation. There are many things that go into a proper air conditioner installation, including sizing the system correctly and installing every part the right way. A bad installation will cause your system to run inefficiently and will increase the likelihood of future breakdowns, which can both take years off of your air conditioner’s life.
- Working with a low-quality contractor. If you work with a low-quality contractor throughout the lifespan of your air conditioner, your installations, tune-ups and repairs will not be performed at the same caliber as they would by a high-quality contractor like Hydes. Without the right experts looking after your system, your air conditioner doesn’t stand a chance to live as long as it should.
- Poor maintenance history. Has your air conditioner had a tune-up every year since it was installed? Have you checked, changed or cleaned your air filter every month? Without proper maintenance tasks like these, your air conditioner’s life expectancy will drop by years.
- Sketchy repair history. You can expect your air conditioner to encounter some problems here and there throughout its lifetime. But if those repairs aren’t taken care of in a timely manner by a trained professional, they can put added stress on your system that will shorten its lifespan.
- Efficiency of your house. Even if your air conditioner is installed and maintained properly, it might not last as long as you’d expect if your home is inefficient. Poor insulation levels and home air leaks will force your air conditioner to work extra hard every time that it’s operating, which will take a serious toll over time.
- Amount of actual use. There’s no getting around it: the more work your air conditioner has to do throughout its lifetime, the shorter it will last. Some factors are out of your control, such as summers that are hotter than usual. But other factors are in your control, such as how efficient your home is (above) and what temperature setting you normally use for your thermostat.
If you have any questions about how long an air conditioner lasts, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Hydes, your Coachella Valley air conditioning contractor.
