When replacing a full AC system, both internal and external units are changed for better efficiency, but with higher upfront costs. Replacing only the outside AC unit can cause efficiency, compatibility, and refrigerant issues. HVAC experts recommend that you replace both indoor and outdoor AC units at the same time to avoid mismatched systems that are inefficient, expensive, and prone to failure.
On average, an AC unit should last around 10 to 15 years, depending on your location. Replacing only the outside unit can lead to reduced energy efficiency, higher electric bills, uncomfortable temperatures, and wear and tear on your system. The AC valve, which controls refrigerant flow for your coils, will need to work harder, resulting in reduced energy efficiency.
Changing the outside unit won’t affect the fan in the inside, as the fan on the outside unit is used to reject heat from the refrigeration. Replacing the unit can improve efficiency and reduce costs, while also enhancing comfort and ensuring the system operates properly. It may be a good opportunity to consider replacing the entire system and move up to something with a higher comfort level and higher efficiency.
If the unit is free of corrosion and otherwise efficient, all removable parts can be replaced. Some improvements may also be added. Even if you could replace just the outdoor or indoor unit, the long-term benefits of complete A/C replacement are worth it. HVAC experts recommend that you replace both indoor and outdoor AC units at the same time, especially if you have an old AC system.
In conclusion, replacing both indoor and outdoor AC units at one time is the best decision for improving efficiency and reducing costs.
📹 STOP Replacing Your AC Unit TOO Soon!!!
If you are asking how long do AC units last, you are going to want to watch this video. How long do air conditioners last depends …
Is it better to repair or replace an AC unit?
The financial implications of repairing an HVAC system are a crucial aspect of the repair versus replacement decision-making process. The “5, 000 rule” is employed to ascertain the financial implications. In the event that the system in question is under the age of five thousand dollars, it is recommended that repairs be undertaken. However, should the system be above this age, it is likely that a new unit will prove a superior solution. In the event that the system requires repairs and is no longer covered by the warranty, it is advisable to procure a new air conditioning system.
How do I know if my outside AC unit is bad?
This article provides a list of ten common warning signs that your air conditioner needs to be replaced. The first sign is excessive noise, which can indicate loose belts or rattling pipes inside the unit. This could indicate that the motor is failing and requires immediate attention. Other signs include unpleasant odors, slow performance, frozen coils, overheating problems, uneven temperatures, increased energy usage, and humidity.
In summer, it’s essential to have an escape in your home with a central air conditioning unit. However, these devices can sometimes fail, so it’s crucial to know the signs your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Quality Heating Cooling and Plumbing in Tulsa can help you identify these issues and provide top-notch AC repair services.
How long does an exterior AC unit last?
If your air conditioner is over ten years old, it’s time to consider purchasing a new unit. Air conditioners are often exposed to extreme temperatures, reducing their lifespan. Modern air conditioners can last 15-20 years, while older ones last around 10-12 years. The health and efficiency of your air conditioner depend on several factors, including proper maintenance, frequent use, local temperature, and the correct size.
If you keep your air conditioner in good condition, it should need a replacement within 10-15 years. However, as your air conditioner grows older, its mechanical parts may become unavailable or obsolete, and if you can’t replace a broken part, you’ll need to purchase a new unit.
How often should I replace an outdoor AC unit?
The age of your current air conditioning unit is a significant factor when considering a replacement. The average lifespan of a unit is 12-15 years, and if you get 15 years of cooling power, it’s a successful life. However, if your unit is approaching its elderly years and doesn’t have the same functionality as before, it might be time to consider a replacement. If your unit is getting older but still works well, you might be able to get more time before a replacement is needed.
Looking back at your air conditioner’s history can provide a better understanding of its future. If it has experienced frequent repairs and unforeseen problems, it’s likely that it will continue to struggle. If the road ahead seems full of repairs, expenses, and constant breakdowns, an air conditioning replacement might be the best option. By considering these factors, you can determine if your current air conditioning unit is worth the investment and how long it will last before it needs to be replaced.
Can I just replace my outside AC unit?
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) recommends that outdoor air conditioning units require specific indoor air handlers for optimal operation. Replacing only the outdoor unit can lead to a mismatched cooling system, potentially causing high operating costs, reduced indoor comfort, and premature system failure. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) determines the efficiency of the HVAC system, with the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) recommending a minimum SEER rating of 13. Replacing the outside unit may result in a mismatched system and associated issues. To ensure maximum efficiency, both indoor and outdoor AC units should match, with the SEER rating set at 13.
Is it worth upgrading air conditioner?
Over time, your air conditioner’s efficiency may decline, and today’s standard units use significantly less energy. The best air conditioners use 30 to 50 less energy than those made in the mid-1970s. Replacing an air conditioner that’s 10 years old can reduce energy costs by 20 to 40. If you’ve had the same system for over a decade, consider upgrading your air conditioner around the 10-year mark. A central AC typically lasts between 15 and 20 years, but planning ahead can help save for an energy-saving model.
When should I replace my existing AC unit?
When should you replace your HVAC unit? If your system is over 10 years old, your energy bills are higher than normal, and you can’t maintain a comfortable temperature, or you’re experiencing odd or loud noises, it’s time to consider replacing it. Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in keeping you comfortable throughout the year, but if it’s not performing as efficiently as it should, it can lead to discomfort and higher utility bills.
While repairs can sometimes resolve efficiency issues, it’s essential to schedule an HVAC replacement if the issue persists. In summary, it’s crucial to address any issues with your HVAC system to ensure your home’s comfort and efficiency.
Are new AC more efficient?
Efficient air conditioners use 30 to 50 less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as mid-1970s models. Replacing a 10 year old unit can save 20 to 40 of your cooling energy costs. Proper sizing and installation are crucial for determining efficiency. Improper unit location, lack of insulation, and improper duct installation can also diminish efficiency. When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with high efficiency, as central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), which indicates the relative amount of energy needed for specific cooling output.
Is it worth replacing the condenser on an AC unit?
Replacing the condenser on an AC unit may be worth it if the broken AC condenser is less than 10 years old or has a manufacturer’s warranty. It’s more expensive to replace the entire central air system, but it might be worth it if the air conditioner is 15 years old or older. An AC condenser has a 10- to 20-year lifespan, similar to the air conditioner’s. It can take three to six hours to replace a condenser, with labor costs ranging from $225 to $1, 500. It’s important to determine if the condenser breaks before other parts of the air conditioner do.
Should I replace my 15 year old air conditioner?
High-use heating and air conditioning systems typically wear out after about a decade, but if well-maintained, they may have more life left. The average lifespan of well-maintained HVAC equipment is 14 to 20 years, and a breakdown at this age may require a replacement. If the repair cost is less than 50 of the replacement cost, a repair is likely the right choice. If the repair cost is high and the equipment has been in use for over a decade, a replacement may be necessary. If the repair cost is high and the equipment has been in use for over a decade, it may be worth spending the money on a system under 10 years old.
Will a new AC unit cool my house better?
The cooling time of a home can be influenced by several factors, including the size and type of the air conditioning system, the air ducts, and the insulation of the home. Newer AC systems typically cool a home faster than older models, but smaller systems require more energy and time to cool down. Some energy-efficient systems, such as ductless mini-splits in Austin, can cool individual rooms faster.
Different types of air ducts, such as mini-splits, are more energy-efficient than traditional systems because they don’t use ducts to channel cool air around the home. Traditional whole-home air conditioning systems often suffer from leaks, causing cool air to escape and wasting energy.
Poor insulation in a home can also affect the energy required to maintain the inside temperature and the time it takes for the system to adjust. Poor insulation can cause more air to leak outside the home and make it easier for outside air to enter, causing the HVAC to lose cool air and allowing hot, humid air to enter, making it take longer for the air conditioner to cool the home, even after a repair.
📹 Does shading your AC unit help save money on electricity bill? | FOX 7 Austin
#FOX7Austin brings you the important stuff like breaking news, weather, and local stories out of Central #Texas. But also plenty of …
In 2019, my elderly mother didn’t ask me about it first and called a local AC company about their Lennox heat pump leaking water onto the floor. My dad was out of it with Dementia or he would have caught it. The company was such crooks that they recommended an entire new unit be installed. My mother told them she would think about it. She called them back the next day and they came back out. One of the crooks even told my mother that he laid awake the night before thinking about it and had come to the conclusion that she in fact DID need a new unit. Obviously his conscious was bothering him. Meanwhile she called me while they were actually there and I told her the condensate drain was probably clogged. She dismissed them and they got mad and told her NOT to call them ever again! Unbelievable. I called a plumber friend that sent over a man that does AC work for him and the man blew out the line and wouldn’t even take money that we tried to give him. That system is still running so far in September 2023. There are some REAL crooks out there.
I caught a tech trying to condemn a system at a widow’s house who just returned from her husband’s funeral. He quoted her a $9,000 system to get back going. I asked him what the problem was right now-today. He said bad capacitor. I said dude, put the new part on and leave. He changed the cap no-charge out of shame.
Something to consider when you have an aging system is efficiency. I had a 20-ish year old system in my small home in Florida. During the summer I was getting bills for upwards of $275. After replacing the system, my bill was literally cut in half. Yes, it cost me a few thousand to replace, but at a savings of $100-150 per month on average, it paid for itself pretty quickly.
I just had mine changed last year because I’m getting old and it really wasn’t cooling very well. In the 30+ years I’ve lived here, I had it serviced twice with no apparent problems. I did some mods to it myself that did improve it’s performance. I believe it’s the original one when this condo was built in the 70’s.
Too true! I once had 4 different A/C companies out to look at my unit and NONE of them told me the same thing, but they were all very eager to change out major parts of the system. One told me it ALL needed to be replaced. I did my research online and found out 2 things: my blower fan capacitor needed to be replaced ($12) and my motherboard needed to be replaced ($110). Did them both myself. The estimates I was give were between $1,500 and $3,500!
I have a unit from original house being built… 1998. I’ve changed the capacitor 3 times and the top fan. It’s been serviced only 1 time and after that I’ve been maintaining it myself with YouTube articles. They even checked it couple months a lookgo by local hvac tech and he said it’s old but it’s still running ok. No leaks and he said it was still pretty cold. At this point i can see it failing anytime soon. It’s been really running hard on 100 degree weather. But i can definitely see me replacing this to save money on electric bill.
I had one similar to the one at the start of the article at my last house. Over 14 years I had the freon recharged twice, and the fan motor replaced once, but it still ran great. I think that thing was maybe from the early 80s. I asked the repairman if I should upgrade to a new system, and he said if it were him, he’d keep it as long as he could because they just don’t make them like that anymore.
If PROPERLY serviced annually, at LEAST 20 years! I have seen older, but they were terribly inefficient on electric bills. Now, the biggest headache is the neverending change of new expensive refrigerants that won’t work in existing systems. Even worse is the poorly educated or crooked service people and crooked contractors that give an honest trade a bad image.😡 I was in the trade for over 45 years and NEVER tried to cheat or bamboozle a client.
I work on HVAC for a living my system is 21 years old here in the Midwest i use it from May to October because of my allergies and the day that the compressor does die I’m more than likely going to change the compressor and use a r22 replacement refrigerant and then get 20+ more years out of it . By the way great article it’s awesome to have someone call out these fake HVAC techs that don’t care to learn about proper troubleshooting and use scare techniques to try and replace equipment that is really still good or should be repaired.
My 41-year-old straight cool system is still going, and this is in Florida so it gets a lot of use. It used to burn up condenser fan motors every few years, until I replaced the 1/4 hp motor with a 1/3 (I found out the original came with an option of 1/4 or 1/3). Capacitors needed replacing twice in the last 18 years. It once had a pinhole leak near the filter drier which I replaced, but otherwise nothing has gone wrong. The compressor is getting a bit loud, but I’m hoping to get a few more years out of it. You might think a new system would pay for itself with energy savings, but if you do the math and include moderate interest on the cost of a new system, it would take at least 30 years, and I don’t expect a new system to last that long.
My Rheem high efficiency heat pump is 34 years old. I live in C. Florida so from March until October the unit runs daily. From November to February, off and on heat or cool on when needed. I’ve replaced the fan motor, capacitor and contacts just once each. No leaks. I clean the evaporator and compressor coils occasionally and change the filter about monthly. I got an AC guy who maintains my rentals and gives me great prices. He told me “run it ’til it dies”. Amen.
I had two companies come out to service this year. First one was apparently only wanting to replace the entire system; after all, it’s been around for 17 years, so that means it needs to be replaced !! Gave a quote for basically $18K to $23K. Stated the refrigerant was a bit low, but that the refrigerant is no longer available. Noted that the AC compressor is drawing towards the higher side of the rating, and the fan is sort of noisey. Believe he also said that a new fan for the condensor is $1100, and compressor towards $6K ( 3.5 ton unit ) . The second came out and actually put refrigerant in the system. Also gave a quote, a bit cheaper, but never heard of the DAIKIN brand. But the AC is back in working order. Debating when to change it out; but right now, it is working; leaning towards leaving it till next year and seeing how it goes.
Really helpful article! I’ll keep searching for this answer, but I’m mostly curious on if there is one or two parts of the system when they break or are failing that mostly determine if it’s worth the brand new unit? Motor fan, capacitor, etc. Are all replaceable for fair cost. Can a compressor sale completely? Which would be expensive
20+ years out of an HVAC system is what I was raised to expect. I’ve had HVAC techs “condemn” perfectly functional systems on me. Fell for it once when I was traveling and my wife panicked over what the tech told her. Now I get second opinions and avoid the shops known for paying big commissions to service techs.
I live in North Texas. Running the AC constantly is common from around June – Sep. Setting it at 78 degrees is not practical (especially if you’re retired and live in the home all day). PM contracts are cheap and well worth it (I use Bill Joplin’s…A+++ BTW). My HVAC is serviced twice a year and I routinely change the filters and use bleach solution to keep the drainage lines clear. My HVAC system is Carrier and when I purchased my new home three years ago, it came with a 10 year warranty. My HVAC technician is the same guy every time. He knows my system very well and I always pick his brain on do’s and don’ts of HVAC. That’s another benefit of having regular PM done by the same company.
My A/C is now 25 years old. I live in central Texas. I do all of the maintenance myself which includes a lot of things the technician would want to do for big profits. Over 25 years, the A/C system has received routine maintenance. I have replaced a lot of critical components which would have cost, by now, thousands of dollars in overpriced parts and service calls. But in actuality, has cost me a couple hundred dollars. Everything today related to home repair and auto repair has become the biggest ripoff racket ever devised by man. And don’t get me started about these rip off con artists either.
I have a two story split foyer with low 9 foot ceiling and I bought turbo fans and place them in front of the floor vents and during the summer months I run those fans with the air condition and it gets so cold quickly that I have to turn the system off or set it one degree below the inside temperature or two degrees is sometimes too cold
Two most important things …. replace air filters because not only will it wreck the efficiency because of low air flow if you get that evaporator coil full of dirt it’s going to cut the air flow and wreck dehumidification …. Second is keeping the condenser coil clean …. A dirty condenser coil will make your compressor work harder than it needs to lowering it’s lifespan and both will cause you to burn much more electricity than you need to
I added a portable ac window unit to help combat these louisiana summers. i turn the house unit setpoint up to 80 degrees and let the portable AC keep my room cool at 72 degrees from 10a-10p. i get direct sun all day and my bdrm windows only have a UV film and blackout curtains, so its HOT HOT. best purchase ever
How long do reversing valve last….. And by the way, I have apartment buildings and Phoenix Arizona ( Probably were not maintained the best over 40 years.)that the rudd straight cools package unit built 1982 is still running. When I took them out last year…. There was 4 of them and only one had a compressor change out in those 40 years and they were reciprocating Compressors . 40 plus years in an apartment building in Phoenix that’s almost unbelievable. …
If your home is all electric you likely have a heat pump in Texas. It may not be 105 everyday but getting 90 straight days of 100+ degree weather is not uncommon. Having a failure during the summer really sucks especially if its over the weekend. Getting more then 10-12 years out of a heat pump is a blessing.
My parents have a 4ton Lennox Cirra 1983. Still running strong. Have always kept it at 65 in summers in Texas heat and it cycles on and off just fine. It’s because his cousin put it in oversized. 900 sqf house. Always over size more than what the idiots try to sell you. That 40 year old unit runs great.😊
I live in West Texas, 1,700sf home. I built the home in 1996 and it came with a contractor-grade 4-ton Trane AC & gas heat. Never missed a beat for 20 years, just a couple freon top-offs. In 2016, I had a fan bearing going out and they said I could replace it for a few hundred dollars, but that I should consider a new unit. Unfortunately, to upgrade required new coils and replacing all the hardware in the attic due to new refrigerant requirements, matching gas heat unit, etc. Ended up costing $12,000 for the new Lennox system (installed) – took three techs about 5 hours. The new system is obviously more efficient, much quieter and did save at least 25% average on my electric bills so far. It would have to last probably at least 30+ years to really offset the cost. I have the techs come out twice a year for about $120/visit maintenance as well. My only concern right now, is I think I really need to replace my plenum in the attic and 15 flexible duct lines as I keep getting fine particles settling on furniture (and I change my filter with MERV 11 units every 3 months). Last I checked, they wanted $250 per flexible duct to install!
My Heat Pump is a 26 year old system that runs awesome. I have had problems with it and have called HVAC companies to fix it in a few occasions but have gotten outrageous quotes and the usual “your unit is too old and should be replaced”. I have learned how to work on my system and have replaced the evaporator fan, condensers, replaced a Schrader valve and added refrigerant R22 saving a ton of money!
The problem with a 20yo system is how inefficient they are compared to modern inverter based DC powered compressors. Im a homeowner and have installed and maintained my own systems. The kind of homeowner Hvac companies hate. Epa certified and all. My total distrust started when I was qouted 3500 dollars just to install one air duct for a qouted replacement AC. I have 4 ACs on my home. 3 splits and 1 mini split. R22 is expensive. It will be much cheaper when the industry moves to CO2 based refrigerant.
Called a local HVAC company, that my family had trusted for years to come out and check out my system which had started making noise when the heater gas blower motor would come on. He looked at it for 5 minutes and then spent the next 30 minutes trying to sell me a new system, saying that it would go out soon. I later found out that it was just some trash in the air intake pipe, which still makes noise sometimes when the heater comes on and that was 3 YEARS AGO………… But here’s the “Coop De Grassy;” about a week later I get a bill for 80 bucks for his visit and he did absolutely nothing.
Referring to proper installation: Many people think they are saving money by having an unlicensed person install their new unit. I know for certain, they will lose money. The unlicensed person who installs your unit has very little knowledge of how it works. He does not know much of anything about the refrigerant he is using. He simply goes by what pressures he has learned from other unqualified persons. He is usually just a parts changer. He will not pull a vacuum on the system because he dose not own a vacuum pump(they are very expensive). He dosen’t know what pulling a vacuum on a system does. (It removes the moisture from the air in they system, which interacts with the refrigerant, causing it to turn acidic. The acid in the system will eat away the thin coating on the compressors’ wiring, causing them to short together, necessitating replacement of the compressor. This will shorten the lifespan of a compressor drastically. Where a system should last 20 years, it usually fails 10 years or earlier. They also will mix refrigerants to “top off” a system. This results in the oil becoming solidified, clogging up the metering devices on your unit, necessitating replacement of your entire system. Many of these unlicensed “tech’s” are from the multifamily communities. In many cases, your warranty on your equipment will be denied by the manufacturer, unless installed by a certified, licensed individual. Improper installation is the biggest reason your system fails before the warranty runs out.
Turns out none of the technicians could tell me what was wrong and they wanted me to tell them and then would try and fix it. Turns out HVAC system had a lot of leaks and had refill with Freon frequently. Since system was not even 10 years old very frustrating. Decided to replace entire system and cost about $7,000. Basically, just trying to screw you in end and just as likely just flat out don’t understand their craft. If I were you, I would learn everything I could before I got estimates and repairs.( I needed the old type Freon so that was a big factor. The old stuff is expensive and harder and harder to get)
I knew a lady who owned a bunch of rentals that had a heat pump installed new…the tenant complained the ac wouldn’t work so she sent us over to take a look at the typical stuff like cleaning the filters etc….i walked down the stairs and saw the copper line hanging…it had never been finished being installed!!! The only way she could get it fixed for the tenant was by having it replaced again! My guess is that he never installed a new one and simply just finished installing the new one that was sitting there that he never finished a few years back…the guy was a crook but she couldn’t find anyone to do the hvac on her rentals …they simply wouldn’t show up or even call her back….its such a joke how picky these hvac guys are with whom they’ll do work for….she wasn’t a poor woman either and had plenty of work that would have kept a retired hvac guy pretty well covered with cash flow…..it’s crazy how many new acunits get trashed after only a few years too because these guys won’t work on anything and want to do all new installs pathetic really
My Goodman HVAC is about 24 y/o. I’ve done a few minor repairs on it myself and had pros work on it a few times. Over all the a/c part has done fairly well in about a 2300 sq. ft. house. The electric heating has been fairly problematic and if not for our fireplace and having to run some supplemental portable heaters we would have extremely high electric bills. I am thinking about going with a heat pump system but I definitely have a limit as to how high I’m willing to pay to get one. I looked at a Trane Lowes had on display last year and at over 10 grand that’s not gonna happen. I haven’t really priced any units. I am leaning towards a heat pump unit with supplemental electric heat included in the unit. I haven’t really seen one of them but it sounds like it might be the best solution for us. Our vent system is in the attic and is not well installed, but working on it is quite problematic. You would have to see it to understand what I’m talking about. I went ahead last year and stayed one more year with our current unit, but when it gets really cold in winter or really hot in summer both the a/c and the heat can’t do a really good job even though I don’t set the thermostat down super low. I tend to stay around the 75 to 78 degree range. I’m in Missouri and we do have extremes of heat and cold, but normally winters aren’t too extreme but summers can get pretty hot here.
I agree with folks saying they saw an efficiency improvement with a new system. I am licensed hvac, but as a facilities mgr I do mostly package rooftop units and refrigeration, so I know how to repair and maintain and I got 21 years out of my Bryant 410a units at home. I replaced them this June (same tonnage and gas but higher seer) and saw a $250+ per month savings for July and August. We did have a cooler summer than last year, but I was more than pleasantly surprised.
As a tech I always tell people run it until it dies. There are four reasons to consider a replacement. Compressor failure, leak in evap coil, leak on condenser coil, busted heat exchangers. These only matter if the unit is out of warranty. They can still run around $1k where I live to replace even if the part is covered by warranty though.
My heat pump still runs strong after thirty years. But the reversing valve is stuck in heat mode. That’s not a bad fix, $100 valve and maybe four hours time. The reason I can’t viably fix it? Crony capitalism (govt working for industry) has run the cost of refrigerant into oblivion! I can literally purchase a new unit, charged, for less. 😵💫 Burdening my wallet and the landfill. I’m Here From The Government And I’m HERE TO HELP!
I change out my capacitors every three to fours years just as a PM item because it’s cheap insurance as well as cleaning my condenser coil every year and evap coil every two – three years. My Trane 2 Ton is 39 years old and still running strong blowing out 52 degree air at the living room floor vent on a 99 degree day such as we are having here in Southern NJ right now. Heat index of 108 today ! My tip is, turn it on and let it run. Cycling on and off is what kills compressors. I’ll turn the thermostat down to say 65 and just let it keep running. As it cools off outside during the evening hours I’ll turn it off completely at the breaker box so the thermostat transformer is off as well. That’s my story and I’m stickin too it. May not work for everyone, but it’s been working for me for years. Chill out everyone, stay COOL !
central valley in california – 100 to 110 is pretty common. I like your clear, precise articles. Thank you. Wish you guys were in our area..our 2011 day and night (mare) system – condenser and evaporator have been replaced multiple times – bad batch of oem components – well known problem. Installer has retired . Went with a new company to trouble shoot when it wouldn’t stay within 2 degrees of setpoint – always a tip off that it’s low on refrigerant. 450$ service call and replaced capacitor BEFORE checking the pressures (same visit)- it had leaked down over the winter. Couldn’t isolate the line set, but pressurized the lines with nitrogen and determined it’s either the line set or the evaporator (in the attic with the gas furnace and blower) – quoted 3-4k$ for replacement evaporator. decided to replace with a carrier- performance.. single stage – ac and gas – 15k, vs 10k of 2011 day and night.. I might have made a huge mistake 🙂 But for a 1500 sq foot house, your article’s have helped me with my “confirmation bias” – the new company didn’t really give me options – good, better, best. just said – here’s our estimate for anew system.. with temps heading up – I did not want to delay. And your article on refrigerant again changing in 2025, now is not a bad time to get a new system, but 13 years seems really a short life time. 🙂 Thank again.
I used to work HVAC and while I am always for running a piece of equipment until you can’t anymore, it’s worth noting that it isn’t always the service company’s faulty. It is sad to say, but it is true that newer equipment tends to not last as long as some older stuff. I big problem I found was some of the new stuff is WAY over engineered. Too many moving parts for too little efficiency gain, and the parts were more expensive to fix. Give me an AC or heat pump that’s just a compressor, contactor, capacitor and fan any day.
If the Contractor doesnt Scam You by telling you you need new equipment the Federal Gov. will scam you by continually coming up with New Refrigerants every decade or two that require us to buy new equipment. Note as we now begin to transition away from 410A which was going to save the environment and required purchasing new equipment to use we now move to another environment saving gas that yet again requires purchasing new equipment while there are now several EPA approved Blends on the market that are drop in replacements for the ORIGINAL Refrigerant R22. Bait and Switch at its Finest. LOL>
My systems lasted 47 yrs. Replaced them because the cabinets were rusting very badly, the compressors needed to be rewired and I replaced a contactor with the last one of its type in existence. So parts were becoming an issue. Got a good deal with 2 complete systems with everything from T-stats to circuit breakers to cutoffs, etc. with transferrable 10 yr parts and labor on everything for about $6200. I know how to install a system and the installer did a really excellent job. Installation is absolutely critical and there’s only ONE right way to do it. If you don’t know what that means, READ and LEARN. My advice to most homeowners is that, once a correct installation is done, keep the area around the outside cabinet (condenser/compressor) clear so air flows freely and don’t let anyone touch it. No “routine PM” ever so long as the systems are functioning well. Techs will damage the Schrader valves and they will leak. They will contaminate your refrigerant. They will use harsh coil “cleaners” and damage them, etc. Make a note of your capacitor type and buy a spare or 2. Do not cover the units completely in the winter. Replace your own inside filters when needed. Do not exceed MERV 8. Do not buy complex and very expensive systems in the name of “efficiency”. Simplicity is almost always best. Brand is not important. Inexpensive units are just fine. VERY expensive brands are usually mistakes for a variety of reasons.
I live in Phx, AZ and just had my HVAC system undergo a ‘checkup’ before the summer season and was told all seems well. We have a 4 ton single stage system for our 1700 sq ft home (1 story). The tech advised on adding a ‘start assist’ unit to help mitigate hard starts on the unit. Curious your thoughts on ‘start assist’ units (or whatever they are known to you as). Thank you.
Mine is 8 years,its a (2nd gibson)gibson,its 3rd unit here in 15 years,russian tech came out & said better to replace instead of fixing at $5000 for a 3.5 ton unit,so I told to just recharge because no cold air was coming out,he said it took 4lbs., he didnt weigh the bottle & charged me $350,how can he tell how much freon went in w/out a scale,he had a digital gauge so I dont know if that lets him know,but 8 years & he says replace with lennox
My nephew works in this field and he just switched employees because his old one made them lie to customers to replace entire systems. He refused to lie to customers. This caused problems so he switched companies. On my own unit I replaced 2 capacitors and one fan motor. I set my own furnace ran my own duct work (laid out by the owner of the mechanical distributor). He also installed the line set to my system. I did the rest. When my system does go out again I will likely fix it again. Just like I am roofing my own house right now. Just like I rebuilt my outboard boat motor last month. I find all of this stuff to be pretty elementary. You can read a book over the weekend and know all you need to know in 90% of the situations. Well that doesn’t apply to everyone. My brother in Law is a skill trade electrician and can’t even light his own hot water heater.
Company came out to check my AC. Airflow was a little weak. Freon pressure was good. Said evaporator coils were dirty. They said the system was working “great” but since it was 13 years old he recommended replacing the whole thing (heat pump). When I came home, I saw that the CONDENSER was impacted on the eastern side with thick dust. He never told me that.
Well, speaking as a commercial HVAC technician, I can tell you that a residential system should last 25 years, but nothing made in the past 15 years is going to last that long because the entire residential segment….from service companies to manufacturers….. has decided that about seven or eight years is about what you’re going to get it out of a residential system….because they want to sell systems and they don’t want to repair them. They don’t want to have to hire technicians who know how to repair them. They want to hire sales people who know how to sell them. Lots of TV commercials and bright service trucks and white shirts on the technicians and top dollar for every single install. I am so glad that my job puts me in zero basements, zero crawlspaces, and zero attics.
Our last Rheem AC lasted 20+ years. Was still running fine but there was a freon leak somewhere in my system (I’m sure it was within A coil but could not find it). Old freon was made obsolete by government regulations and just got too expensive refill due to federal restrictions and ended up replacing it. New carrier is soooo much quieter.
I am lucky! I found a great A/C guy who doesn’t constantly upsell! In fact, I had to talk him into replacing my 16 year old cheap, “builder grade” heat pumps! Each unit was internally leaking coolant and had been costing me ~$600 a years for at least 5 years. Although he said he could squeeze a few more years out of it, I was in the rare situation that I had the money to do the work now and I figure that the cost would just be higher a few years later plus with the savings on the electric bill each month (the new system cut the bills in half, by the way), there was no real benefit in putting it off! Those old systems from the 1960-1980s were great in that they were built like tanks with copper and brass cooling parts that could be repaired if they started leaking, unlike all the thin aluminum used today. It wasn’t uncommon to see late 1960s units still running strong in the mid south in the early 2000s! The only downside to them was their lack of efficiency and high coolant recharge costs. I suppose most of the units that old have expired by now, from complete exhaustion if nothing else!
I replaced my 33 year old HVAC unit a couple years ago when the evap coil finaly gave out. The new AC was much more efficient. It draws only 2500w vs 3500 for the old one and cycles are only about 20minutes out of an hour vs 30 for the old one. I’d say 50% savings over all. The tech said the old unit was probably a 14 SEER but closer to 10 due to age vs 16 for the new one. The heater is probably more efficient too but less of a factor. Some times it’s worth it to replace a little earlier if the old unit is very inefficient.
Good information, thank you. Last year I was having an issue with our heat/ac here in Florida. I called a local company and told them I needed a tech to come out and diagnose the problem. So, at appointment time a small sedan pulls in the driveway and a guy gets out wearing khakis and a button down shirt. He looks at the data plate on our unit and says”it’s 12 y/o, you need a new unit.” I ran him off real quick and called another company who fixed it with no issues.
I just had my heat pump full system replaced yesterday by Atlas and the whole experience was great. From Jorge the initial tech, Pete in sales, and Isreal and his dad installing the system. They were all very thorough and install was great. I had been researching companies for awhile when I came across this website. I appreciate the honesty, upfront pricing, and no commissions. It is what sold me on going with them.
Had an HVAC tech tell me I needed a new system as they only lasted up to four years and mine was at four years. Told him to gas it up and I’ll take my chances. It’s been eight years, now. It seems any time you have to use any kind of technical service (HVAC, cars, builders, etc) they are either stupid, crooks, or both. Don’t trust any of them.
I live in Phoenix we get crazy heat here unbelievable hot surprises me how hot it is every summer. My first heat pump was a DAY & Night installed by the builder in 1976 lasted until 2007 31 years. My 2nd unit a goodman lasted until 2022 from 2007 only died because I did not maintain it right my own fault I should know better. I think the first one was maintained really well why it lasted so long.
I know my parents had a unit for almost 30 years Raheem.. The only thing that used to go bad on it was the contactor still have a bunch of contactors for it… But that thing still blows cold I just repaired myself luckily the compressor Never went bad and this is Arizona Phoenix metro so that thing was working overtime Half the year… Recently we sold the house because my parents passed.. But the unit was still blowing good.. The heat pump we rarely used it’s the same just the AC in reverse The temperature on dial was always around 75 ish or 78 ish Even on 115° day
I feel like if your AC system cant keep up at low to mid 70’s inside while its 100 outside, its undersized. As im sure you know, AC system need to be sized to each specific home and what the owner realistically expects from it. I have a window unit that can easily keep up when its set to 67 and its 100+ outside.
Why have an AC system if you have to keep it at 80 in the summer? I have mine set at 73 which is comfortable for me and it has no problem but I can tell you much above the 73 go and maybe 74or 75 is too warm in my house why would I pay this kind of money for a system and can’t be comfortable in my own house
Homeowners can keep their unit running for years. Clean the condenser coil every spring. Test the capacitor every spring and mid summer with a voltmeter that has a micro farad scale. Replace if weak and keep a spare capacitor handy. Change your filters every 2 months and install a surge protector on the ac disconnect. Do this and you will rarely need a service call
I wish my elderly widow friend had asked me about A/C before she called this contractor (Austin TX) and he came out and said exactly what you said he would say. “It’s getting old and wearing out, you need a new system”. About $11,000 later, she proudly showed it to me. I asked how old it was, and she started getting defensive, like all people who know they got taken. She told me, and I said ‘Hmmmm…that the same exact age as mine (we live in same neighborhood). I added 1/4 # of freon to it 3 years ago, and 19 years ago when I bought the house, the same honest A/C guy added 3/4 # to a 28 year old system. Works fine. I know he’s honest, because I sent him to a friend of mine who’s system was down, about the same age, but I knew about capicitor problems. I told him to call me before authorizing service. He said it needed a new capacitor and with trip charges etc, it was $200. In AUSTIN, home of the rip off artists.
I’m runnin’ a thirty something straight AC with furnace but was retrofitted with R-458A (Bluon) a few years back and have no complaints. I’ve some acquaintances that have told me about their “newly installed” systems and the expense. I asked if they thought the replacement was totally necessary versus just repairing the existing unit and all of them just shrugged and said it was what “She Wanted”. I’m divorced, so lucky me!
24 years, Rheem 10 SEER. It was still working fine when we replaced it. Charged maybe a few times and I changed the starter contactor twice. Just didn’t want to worry each year if “this” will be the summer it quits. Plus now with this 16 SEER I’m saving on the bill. Was a good decision to replace ti. I wished I would have replaced it sooner with the bill savings.
Itll last as long as itll be looked after. And as long as you can get parts. They’re really simple machines, if you have an older one. I’ve personally see a few 30 year old systems. Clean your unit and change your air filter. And it will outlast the house. Might need to buy a new motor or compressor 1 time in the while life of the system.
My Carrier AC is 28 years old and my Carrier Weathermaker 9200 is 21 yrs old. I’ve changed the capacitors a couple of times and stuck in a new contactor as preventative maintenance. I’ve toyed with replacing, but my wife says to wait till they quit….I take care of them. Who knows how long they’ll go? I do keep spare capacitors on the shelf, just in case….$8 to $10…. I figure it’s cheap insurance, and saves me from driving all over hell’s half acre to ind the right one. I have no doubt both units would have been long gone if I wasn’t a competent DIY’er
Any techs here? Working on parents system that’s 21 years old. Previously, I’ve replaced the run capacitor twice around 5-7 years apart. Now, the outdoor AC is buzzing, not clicking and the fan is not running. Do you think its a contactor or fan motor? Could it still be the run capacitor? The capacitor doesn’t look blown out from the outside. What articles on YouTube would you recommend to test the contactor, capacitor or fan motor? The breaker is giving it power.
I live in Fort Worth and I have completely lost faith in my AC company. The last guy that came. To do my 6 month PM check said my system was ok but might need refrigerant. He said R410 is $320 a pound. I’m going WHAT? I googled R410 and it was $320 for a 20lb can. Needless to say I’m looking for a more reputable AC company. These parts changers are only out to screw us. Techs should not be on commission!
Yes, its also better to educate yourself as there’s a lot of useful articles here that would at least give you some hints what the problem may be. A few months ago my AC compressor fan died so I called in a AC contractor to give me quotes to repair or replace the AC system if needed. The quote for both was horrendous and they obviously try to push you towards buying a new one. I should have went with my initial gut to just find an independent AC repair tech (which I did anyway after). It ended up costing me just $400 for the motor and capacitor compared to thousands of dollars for a brand new system. Get a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion when in doubt!
How about 44 years. And that’s only because the A-frame rotted out. So got another Armstrong Air. Can’t go wrong with Armstrong. Only thing that I ever replaced on it was a capacitor and contactor. By the way it was an R22 unit, 1978 installation. I’ll probably not be around on this earth to see how long the new one lasts!
Yeah landlords know all about running units till they wont anymore lol. Took like 5 times to get a new one in our apartment they kept telling the repair man to fix it lol. It had no finish left on it it was just 100% rust lol at least 40 years old. Would keep it about 5 degrees cooler than the outside and still had to argue.
I live in central Florida. My home was built in 2004 and we have the original AC unit still operating fine. We have has several issues that have run a few hundred dollars to fix like circuit boards and different things needing replaced but it’s still running. In the winter on freezing days (yes we have freezing here) the outside unit ices over but that defrost as the morning temperatures rise. I actually was asking the technician when I should plan on replacing my unit and he was hesitant to answer me. Guess I’m fortunate to have an honest opinion.unfortunately the company owner is retiring so I’m going to need to find a new maintenance provider. Crossing my fingers.
Can you please not get 20yr old system life in the heads of homeowners? That is NOT THE AVERAGE IN FL. I’ve seen 5 yr old systems missing all the fins. Corroded, leaking Freon. The salt water kills them. Even inner cities the temps in fl are so high the A/c runs all year long. Even in cold months. The average life expectancy is more like 8-10yrs MAX
Har’ in NE Orka-Homer (Tussa) the heat ain’t as bad as th’ whewmidity! When hits 103* in the shade an thar ain’t much but it’s 90% too, and 85* at midnight and a hunnert percent me nur Momma’z gunna sleep! We gitz 15-18 yarz frum ah A/C unit war OK wid it. Ma late sissa hadda BIG twu story houz, an she finnly got twu units! Saved her tons o’ money an’ warked betta twu! BTW, Ya’ll know whut devides th’ foolz fum th’ Idjutz??? Th’ RAD RIBER!!! I’z got ta thru sum’ wud on th’ far…gonna cook some cow…
For the last 15 years HVAC companies have told me the coolant for my unit is illegal now. The last refill cost me about 200/lb and I needed 2 lbs. I would like to see a article on which way is the best to go for updating. Should I get a new system to replace my 18 y/o system or switch it over to the newer coolant system?
I have 3 AC systems for my house, 2004, 2004 and 19 freaking 86! All good, all cold, all Lennox. Maintenance? Nothing special, clean them annually, make sure the filters are VERY high flow (ie: not a lot of filtration, just enough to keep the AC unit in good shape). NO professional maintenance packages. We had one once and Jesus, they did nothing but read the temp at the duct (which anyone can do) and then try to sell something. $70 filters, UV light, etc.
GET A SECOND OPINION WHEN IT COMES THEY SAY THE UNIT NEEDS REPLACING! I have an electric generator and it stopped recycling weekly, and said insufficient power. I called one company who charged me nearly $300 to diagnose it, and said my alternator went bad. This is a Kohler generator and their engines are top rated. They said the company does not sell alternators. I need a new unit. That would have cost me about $7,000 including installation. I got a second opinion. He found the problem right away–ants got into this control box and some breaker switch turned off. He blew the dead ants (around the switch) off and it started up like new. I wrote a complaint to the Better Business Bureau. People need to do that more often because it may save others from getting ripped off.
You won’t get that in Florida. Uh-uh, no way. If you do it’s purely luck. 1. They run year-round. 2. They’re not just cooling 20+ degrees for 6-8 months straight, they’re also trying to pull out 40% humidity as well. 3. Too much salt and humidity in the air – components just break down faster. I don’t care what brand you buy and or well you maintain it you’ll be lucky to get 10 years from your system. My house was built in 2006 and is on it’s 3rd unit even with periodic servicing. My parents, who bought top-o-the-line everything- sold their 1999 house recently and were on their 3rd. And it’s not like I don’t know how to take care of one. My system in NC was 25 years old and still going strong when I sold that house.
My Trane AC system is 21 years old. The compressor has been tripping the breakers. Today the technicians came by again to check it out and get it going. Unfortunately, while they were working on it, the compressor tripped all the breakers in the breaker box and I ended up with no electricity in the house. Fortunately, the technician and his partner were able to get the breaker box going again. Today, I was told the compressor was grounded and the problem is not repairable. I have to decide whether I replace the compressor for $4,500 Or just go ahead with a new system for $9,000. A difficult decision to make for a 72 year old senior on fixed income. ☹️. Sigh 😞.
I have a 20=year-old heat pump that was installed when my house was built. I use it to heat 8-months each year and to cool an additional one week per year.. Despite never having had it cleaned or maintained, it continues to run great. Service Patriots from Portland OR is a preferred Home Depot vendor and recently offered a $29 tune-up that’s regularly $99. I jumped at the chance to get my system tuned up. The tech came out, never tuned anything, never cleaned anything, and never even changed out the air filter. Instead, he took a bunch of pictures of my heat pump, handed me a $6,700 estimate to fix it, and recommended I schedule a visit with his peer who will come over and give me an estimate on a new one since mine was so old. Well, it turns out, swapping out a 3.5 ton heat pump and air handler costs $23,000. That’s just for the new system, my ductwork, electrical wiring and etc. are in perfect condition. In addition, the tech said the space for my outdoor unit and indoor air handler is an installer’s dream. I declined the offer. It could have been worse, the estimator said changing out a system can cost up to $30,000.
Central Air a rip off. My unit been giving me trouble/ Carrier with 410 A. Evaporator started leaking. Doing research I found many people having the same trouble. My neighbors unit is 25 years old still going. The design of mine was wrong. The copper evaporator should have been aluminum. I now run two window air conditioners. Inverted technology is great for saving on energy bill. Screw the rip off central air by carrier. Should have been a recall.
My house has the same GE unit they installed on it when the house was built in 1979. I bought it in 1994. I’ve added a little R22 to the low side. My big brother (an auto technician) who did auto AC told me not to mess with the high side so I didn’t, out of a tank a friend had. that was 15 or 20 years ago. I bought a new 30 lb. tank back then for 100 bucks off craigslist but I’ve never had to break the seal on it. I think its going to run forever!
Dude……….in Texas heat…….hobbits come here to throw rings 105°………is typical. But then there is the heat index……that sucks. If your house is less than 1500 sq/ft………central air is stupid to have. Window units are cheaper, cool faster (provided you use the right one for the right size) and you’ll spend way less on your utility bill. Went window unit…….and my bill is literally about half of what I paid last year. And if one unit goes out………..Walmart has a unit for what you’ll pay a tech to just look at your central unit. With central air, been there done that got the tshirt and it’s ridiculous for small houses to have.
I don’t think new equipment can really last that long. The cost of repairing with no warranty is getting really high with the cost of refrigerant & good techs salaries. The company I work for services all major brands & I see lots of coils & other major components failing at a higher rate. Been in A/C for 20-years now.. I don’t care what brand you like or prefer, they’re all junk now. JMO..
My Maytag AC is 32 years old. I had a switch weld itself on about two weeks ago. This weekend the capacitator burned out. The Tech said that more failures would be happening as the compressor is showing sporadic amperage readings. I am having my HVAC contractor sales person out tomorrow to give me an estimate on a new AC.
Well done sir. my place came with under sized compressor and MFG. was a brand I do not care for, Goodman. Even the AC Contractor made fun of it. What I found interesting is I am a Lic. Contractor Engineer, so I know a little about construction and knew the exact size compressor I want installed, when I call a HVAC Company and I tell them what I need, treat me like an ignorant piece of sh*t, so took about 1/2 dozen phone calls and find one willing to talk business and got new compressor installed.
Goodman 2.5 ton heat pump lasted 2002 til 2018. I wold have a start run capacitor fail about every other year for the life of that system. Had a new Carrier 3 ton installed in 2018. 3 years later the capacitor failed on the complete new system. My house was built in 2002 and the meter is on the opposite side of the house as the A/C unit. My house is 1,700 sq ft and I live in northwest Florida. Any suggestions on how to get my 5/40 capacitors to last longer?
A properly operating cooling system will have a differential of between 20 to 22 degrees. It’s easy to check, just take a reading with a handheld thermostat (about $20) at the air return register and take readings at several air supply registers and see what the average difference is. If it over 15 years old and getting under 15 degrees and using the old R-22 obsolete refrigerant we always recommend replacement. If a system is 20 years old and is getting 18 degrees differential I tell the owner, run it till lit drops. However, here in California an older system will use a lot more energy than a newer system. I always put that down in my estimate that a newer system will be less costly in energy. If the customer has solar they usually say, Eh, I have solar so not a big problem.
I’ve never had any service on my 20 year old AC. Cover in the winter and keep the outside clean. My furnace 20 years old, I’ve had two blowers replaced, but no regular service . They should last a long time, but a poorly manufactured unit…well you’re kinda doomed to short live span or expensive repairs .
My AC is experiencing a new problem every year, after just 8 years. First year it was coil, then motor and fan, then bypass. It’s not some tech making stuff up, my AC can’t cool the house so we know something is up. It feels like a domino effect. Am I going to keep having issues every year or is this a coincidence? I’m trying to determine if I should just replace the entire thing.
The term “preventive maintenance” is the biggest lie in Maintenance. People think that failure can be eliminated by “PM”s. The truth be told everything is in failure mode as soon as it is put into service (Bearings). Most preventive maintenance is nothing more than “Intrusive” maintenance that creates problems when none existed. I have seen HVAC techs stand outside at a neighbors house and smoke Cigs and charge her $80 for freon add when he didn’t do squat. He didn’t even have a Tank with him. They sold her flame sensors when she only needed the burners cleaned (Gaps in the flame from dust build up) She had a coupon for a free spring checkup. Run to fail is a legitimate Maintenance plan and should be utilized more often, especially with sealed bearings. In the article he admits the checkup is to get in the door.
So how does one deal with an improperly installed residential Trane? The Unit is 2 years old and TXV is acting up and the blower motor was replaced 2 weeks ago- the motor was covered but labor was close to $800.00 and you know how simple it is to swap out blower motors. Plus the tech said the unit they installed 2 years ago was low on refrigerant— Obviously a slow leak somewhere? But the question is: how can a homeowner get satisfactory result from the company that installed it?
Look I live in Florida on the Atlantic coast right across the street from the ocean Carrier heat pump new in 2018 it died in 6 years a rusted out piece of junk. No matter the manufacturer units only last 6-8 years by the ocean they have to endure salt in the air through hurricanes, tropical storms and winter nor’easters. I’ve hosed mine off with fresh water religiously, used coil guard, and all maintenance nothing works, even tried various enclosures salt water is like acid to newer units. The sad part is that I lived on a boat for 7 years that had a old 80s ge heat pump I’m sure it’s still going.
My Trane AC condenser unit is 19 years old. Trying to get a few more years out of it in Atlanta heat until I sell the house. I get regular seasonal check ups. The thermostat doesn’t get set below 75 in Summer. The tech has been dropping hints that it’s nearing time to replace it. I feel like I’m playing a game of Risk. 😟
The expected life of air cooled equipment (AC unit or heat pump) is 15 years, per ASHRAE. I’ve done industrial studies on “when is enough”, and the crucial factor is “how badly do you need it?” If you can put up with a lack of cooling/heating for two weeks, then keep doing small part replacement (under $1000) until the compressor or other multi-$1000 component takes a dump (eg, a reversing valve on a heat pump can be $2000). The typical home owner is faced with a tough decision. Usually, the units break when every other unit in town is breaking, so the repair companies have little incentive to lower prices. They’re paying double and triple time to find techs to cover the breakdowns, so why should they discount? Thus, the time to consider replacement is when you need the unit the least. In the case of an air cooled AC/heat pump, I’d start thinking about it in year 12. But that’s me. And FWIW, very few replacements are warranted by efficiency improvement. It helps a little, but the most dramatic energy savings are found if you discover something wrong; and most things that are wrong simply stop the unit entirely. “OFF” saves a lot of money. The economic matrix for replacement includes age of unit; industry expectations/averages; maintenance costs, energy costs, inconvenience/health implied costs. And do you have the bucks?
I live in South Florida. My AC system came with the house that was built 18 years ago. It’s an R22, 5 Ton system. About 7 years ago the system stopped working, I had someone come in and cut out the coils in the Air handler upstairs, they cleaned it out, welded it back into place and the system went on for about 3 more years when it stopped working again. This time I was told that the R22 needed to be replaced, but due to the costs, it was going to be almost 2K. I didn’t have any money so instead I put in 1 12oz can of R134a with Sealant, 1-12oz can of R134a and 3-8oz cans of R290. It worked great, actually better than ever, but now 3 years later the system again stopped working and I can’t seem to get it working properly anymore. My question is. Is it worth trying to fix a nearly 20 year old system and if not would a Mini Split save money… I found a 5 zone one on Amazon for around 5K.