Repair VS Replace & How to Make Your HVAC System Last Longer
With proper maintenance an HVAC system will normally last about fifteen years. From there, the system will become less efficient. This is both because of wear and tear and due to the fact that the technology ends up being outdated. Some models start with a shorter lifespan, closer to ten years. Another thing to consider is repair and maintenance. If your system has not had routine service, that can shorten the working years down closer to five.
Other variables that determine how long your heating & cooling system will last include daily usage, and size of the system. If the system is used heavily everyday, or is not the proper size for your home or business, this can affect the lifespan. Likewise, if it was not installed correctly, that too, can cut the lifespan of the unit down.
HVAC Efficiency
There are two main reasons that your A/C efficiency really should matter to you. Firstly, is that the less effective your A/C system is, the more money you will pay in energy expenses. Secondly, the more effective that your A/C system is, the cooler it will be able to keep your home. When your unit is still running, but not well enough, it is typically because your system is no longer efficient.
Aspects that Affect HVAC Performance
After ten to fifteen years the normal wear and tear will stop working, causing it to be less reliable. If it has not been serviced two times a year (heating season, and cooling season) then the effectiveness can drop as rapidly as just a season or two.
Additions to a property or a change in usage can make a system that was once the proper size for your home, no longer adequate. This will cause the existing system to be far less effective than it one time was. If the system was the wrong size when it was installed or was installed improperly, not only will it cause the heating and cooling to be less effective it will considerably shorten the life-span of the unit.
The Cost of an Out-of-date heating and cooling System
Not only will an older A/C system cost you money by being less efficient, it will also cost more to repair if it breaks.
heating and cooling systems that are more than ten years old are frequently cooling utilizing an R-22 refrigerant. The refrigerant is no longer produced and as an industry standard is no longer used in the new ac system.
While there is nothing wrong with still using your unit if it uses R-22 refrigerant, it will just be expensive to fix should it break down. In this scenario, you may need to consider purchasing a more recent model.
If you don’t know whether or not your system uses an R-22 refrigerant, a North Star Heating & Air Conditioning heating and cooling technician can assist you on their next service call.
Is It Time to Change My HVAC Unit?
It can be a hard and costly decision to upgrade your existing ac unit. However, if you wind up needing to make pricey repairs season after season, the decision may be well worth it. A new system can even help to pay for itself in the long run by decreasing your month-to-month or yearly energy costs.
A North Star Heating & Air Conditioning professional will be happy to assist you with repairs or replacements!
