How Long Does an AC Unit Typically Last?

In the hot, humid, subtropical climate of Tampa, FL, it’s imperative that you have a working air conditioner. Central air conditioners regulate indoor temperatures, extract excess moisture from the air, and filter out harmful allergens and contaminants. Knowing how long your cooling equipment might last will help you comfortably budget and prepare for its replacement. Read on to learn all about the typical lifespan of residential AC units, including ways to extend their lifespan.

The Average Length of Residential AC Service

When correctly sized and installed, most residential air conditioners last between 15 and 20 years. However, due to their higher levels of efficiency, lower operating stress, and advanced technologies, many newer AC models could last as long as 25 years. This is especially true in ideal operating conditions. Air conditioners in buildings with acceptably high indoor air quality (IAQ), balanced humidity, and relatively tight envelopes tend to sustain less cumulative wear over time.

The Impact of Excess Humidity and Poor IAQ

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it’s best to maintain indoor humidity between 30% and 50%. When indoor moisture levels rise much higher than this, air conditioners work harder to maintain cool, comfortable conditions and prevent problems like mildew and mold.

When your home’s IAQ is poor, your cooling equipment develops buildups of dirt, hair, lint, pet fur, and other debris at a faster rate. This leads to airflow problems, increased energy use, and greater stress throughout your entire cooling system.

AC Lifespans and Building Envelopes

With a tight building envelope, more of the cool air that your AC produces will remain trapped inside. If you have leaky windows and doors, cracks and gaps in building materials, or other air leaks, your AC will run more cooling cycles and sustain far more wear over time.

What Happens As an Air Conditioner Ages?

As air conditioners age, they progressively lose efficiency. By some estimates, many ACs have lost as much as half of their efficiency after just one decade of service. This makes these appliances increasingly costly to use, even as homeowners experience other adverse, age-related changes in performance, such as:

• Increased operational noise
• Foul odors during operation
• Recurring repair issues
• Uneven cooling

Older air conditioners are also more likely to suffer mid-season breakdowns and cause home cooling emergencies.

AC Manufacturer Warranties and Air Conditioner Lifespans

A great way to learn the expected lifespan of the AC model you own is by checking the duration of its manufacturer’s warranty. Residential air conditioners typically come with two separate warranties: limited parts warranties and compressor warranties. The length of AC manufacturer warranties varies significantly from brand to brand. In general, most air conditioners have 2- to 5-year limited parts warranties and 10- to 15-year compressor warranties.

AC compressors pressurize and depressurize refrigerant throughout cooling systems. They are easily the costliest components in air conditioners. If your AC compressor is warranted for 10 years, you can expect your air conditioner to last about 15 years. If its compressor is warranted for 15 years, your cooling equipment may last 20 years or longer.

Signs Your AC Is Nearing the End of Its Lifespan

In addition to noisy operation, poor airflow, and unpleasant odors when your AC is on, you’ll likely notice a significant increase in your home energy bills as your air conditioner ages. Aging air conditioners use more energy and produce less cooling power as they grow older.

Most HVAC equipment has experienced most of its problems within the last several years of its life. Just before your air conditioner fails outright, you may need AC repair service once or twice each cooling season. Take note of your cumulative repair costs and the frequency of serious problems. After adding up your charges for all past AC repairs, you may find that simply replacing your cooling system is the most cost-effective choice.

Obsolete Refrigerants and Outdated Cooling Technologies

Even if your 20-year-old AC is still turning on and doing its job, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t replace it. Changes in HVAC technologies and regulations may have made your still-working air conditioner obsolete.

The Phase-Out of Freon and Why Having a Freon-Reliant AC Is Bad

Many air conditioners that are 20 years old or older use Freon refrigerant. Also known as R-22, Freon was phased out in 2010 due to its high content of ozone-depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

Not only is continuing to use a Freon-reliant air conditioner harmful to the environment, but it can also prove costly. With finite and fast-decreasing stores of Freon available, AC recharge service for these units is becoming ever more expensive. In 2024, it’s estimated that homeowners with Freon-reliant air conditioners could pay as much as $600 for AC recharge service. Worse still, these older air conditioners typically need to be recharged every two to three years.

Single-Speed Motors vs. Dual-Speed and Variable-Speed Motors

Some older air conditioners also have single-speed motors. These motors operate at top speeds all the time, such that they use maximum energy even when homes require limited cooling. Dual-speed motors allow ACs to operate at high speeds and low speeds depending upon real-time cooling demand. Variable-speed motors offer a more flexible range of motor-speed options for optimized efficiency and performance.

Continuing to use an outdated AC with a single-speed motor will raise your carbon footprint by way of extra and unnecessary energy use. According to the United States Department of Energy (DOE), when continuously operating at half speed, a variable-speed motor will move the same amount of air as a single-speed unit while using 25% less energy.

How to Make Your Air Conditioner Last Longer

Successful efforts to extend the lifespan of home cooling equipment start at installation. Having a licensed HVAC company size and selecting your AC can save you a veritable fortune over time. While residential air conditioners are readily available in hardware and big box stores, choosing and installing an option that’s too large or too small for its service area could lead to undue system stress, frequent problems, higher energy bills, and a shorter service life overall.

Take Good Care of Your HVAC Air Ducts

Dirty, damaged, and leaky ducting can also shorten an air conditioner’s lifespan. All central HVAC ductwork should receive professional inspection and maintenance services annually. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), it’s also a good idea to have these structures professionally cleaned every 24 to 36 months.

Perform Regular HVAC Air Filter Changes

Among the easiest and most effective ways to extend the lifespan of your air conditioner is by checking and changing its air filter regularly. According to AC manufacturers, you should inspect this component every 30 days and change it as needed every 30 to 90 days. You can work with HVAC technicians to find the perfect filter type, size, and rating for optimizing your air conditioner’s performance and minimizing operational stress.

Schedule Annual AC Tune-Up Service

To maintain compliance with your AC manufacturer’s warranty and extend the lifespan of your cooling equipment, schedule professional tune-up service at least once each year. When scheduled just ahead of the cooling season, AC tune-ups give our technicians the chance to identify and resolve minor problems before they spiral out of control.

We’re proud to serve homeowners in Tampa and the surrounding communities. We offer outstanding cooling, heating, and indoor air quality services. We additionally provide HVAC air duct cleaning, pre-season HVAC preparation, and solar installs. To schedule an appointment, get in touch with Air 24/7 Air Conditioning & Heating today.