How Long Will My Central Air Conditioner Last?
Maximizing the Lifespan of Your Coolong System
When summer starts with a blast of heat—like the multi-day heatwave we simmered through at the end of June—you have to wonder if your central AC is up to the task of a long, hot summer. It should come as no surprise that good maintenance is the key to trouble-free, cool comfort. And a well-cared for cooling system should last a good 15 to 20 years before efficiency begins to really decline.
But if you’ve skipped more tune-ups, and your air conditioning equipment is easing past that decade mark, you should know the signs that it could be time to replace it. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Age Factor
Even with regular tune-ups, age will eventually take its toll on your cooling equipment. You’ll notice a need for more frequent repairs—that get more expensive—as your central cooling system gets older.
If you do need a repair, we recommend the $5,000 rule: Multiply the age of your system by the cost of a repair. If the answer is more than $5,000, you’re better off replacing your cooling equipment. So, for example, if you have a repair estimate of $1,200 for an 8-year-old system, you’d get $9,600—you’ll get better value from replacing your system.
The other thing to note is the type of refrigerant it uses. If your system is an older one that uses the phased-out R-22 refrigerant, you should definitely replace it. R-22 is hard to get—and very expensive.
Signs to Know
As your central AC ages, it will have to work harder to keep you comfortable. That affects efficiency—the equipment needs to use more energy to get the job done. With summers trending hotter and more humid, that means it will have to work even harder, more frequently or for longer stretches of time.
With energy prices higher this season, your bills may be higher no matter what. But older equipment that’s less efficient will drive your energy costs up even more. And while a tune-up can help improve efficiency in older equipment, performance will continue to decline while your electric bills rise.
Constant system cycling is another sure sign your aging cooling equipment is having trouble keeping up. You should note that it could also be that your cooling system isn’t big enough for your home. The constant cycling on and off will wear the system out more quickly and lead to more frequent breakdowns.
Time for an Update?
If it sounds like it’s time to replace your cooling equipment, you’ll be glad to hear that a new system will run more efficiently and help you cut your cooling costs by as much as a third. Our team of experts can help access your needs and talk to you about trouble spots, like those spaces that never seem to cool off.
If your system still has a few good years, it’s never too soon to schedule your AC system maintenance. Our technicians will perform a multi-point precision tune-up to ensure your equipment is running right. Annual maintenance is the key to getting the best performance out of your home’s cooling system. And consider our cooling system service plans, which include seasonal maintenance, priority service if you do need a repair, plus a discount on parts and labor.
Don’t wait for a breakdown in the middle of the next heatwave. Whatever your needs, the pros at Bolkema are here to make sure your cooling equipment is ready for the season. Contact us today.