New air conditioning and heating equipment lasts longer than ever. The conclusion of a furnace’s or air conditioner’s service life depends on more than just chronological age. Energy-efficiency issues along with the price of any essential repairs vs the price of upgrading to a different unit all enter into that determination.
Furnace Lifespan
The average service life of a new furnace is 15 to 20 years. Most furnace parts that fail during that span are replaceable at a price that makes mend a better phone than replacing the whole furnace. The exception is the heat exchanger, a furnace’s single most expensive component. A cracked heat exchanger at a unit that is already out of warranty is usually a tipping point that means it’s time to shop for a new furnace.
Central Air Conditioners
Central air conditioners typically last from 10 to 15 yearsago The lifespan of a central cooling unit might be lowered if its capacity is not correctly matched to the cooling of the home. Oversized air conditioners “short-cycle,” turning off and on quickly, inflicting excessive wear and tear on the compressor. Such as the furnace heat exchanger, the compressor is the most expensive part in the computer system. A drained compressor in a unit that’s outlived its warranty is usually a deal-breaker that warrants upgrading to a new, much more permeable atmosphere conditioner rather that correcting the present unit.