HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT MY A/C UNIT TO LAST?

An air conditioner's or heat pump's efficiency lifetime depends on several factors:

Climate
System maintenance
Unit's quality and size
All of these factors work together to shorten or lengthen a system's lifetime, according to advisers at the Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Institute. (ARI)

If you have a system that has been properly sized for your home and you keep it properly maintained, it should last as many as 15 years with minimum problems. But if the size is incorrect or the unit is maintained only when it breaks, the lifetime can easily be reduced by five or more years.

Usually a major component such as the motor or the compressor wears out first. Depending on the age of the unit, you might save money by getting those parts fixed. However, it may be a good idea to look at the efficiencies of current models. A more efficient system could save you more money during the next 15 to 20 years of its life.

A new system will usually reduce operating costs, lower your monthly energy use, and should keep your house more comfortable for less money. The reduced operating costs may pay for the additional cost of replacing rather than repairing the unit.