How Long Do Air Conditioners Last?

During those hot summer months in Ontario, your air conditioning system is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable.

Whether you’re looking to buy a house with a previously-installed AC unit, or are looking to invest in a new central air system for the first time, one of the key questions you might ask is: how long do air conditioners last?

Once you have the right air conditioner for your home, you’ll want to keep it running as long as possible. With proper maintenance, a new air conditioner’s lifespan can last around 15 to 20 years. 

While every air conditioner system is different, and there are a few factors (such as usage, unit and installation quality, and climate) that will play into the overall lifespan of your AC unit, regular AC maintenance is the best way to get the most out of your HVAC systems.

Signs You Need To Replace Your Air Conditioner

If you start to notice any of the following signs from your AC system, it’s best to get a professional HVAC technician to inspect it. They’ll be able to tell you if an AC repair or replacement is necessary to get your cooling system back up and running.

If replacing the entire air conditioning unit just isn’t in the budget for you, you can also consider renting a new air conditioning unit.

Increased Energy Bills

As air conditioners age, they often lose energy-efficiency, leading to higher energy bills. If you notice a significant increase in your cooling costs despite regular maintenance, it could be a sign that your unit is no longer operating efficiently. If your energy bills are climbing without any apparent increase in usage, it could indicate that your air conditioner is working inefficiently, possibly due to age or malfunctioning components.

Smells Bad

If your air conditioner is no longer effectively removing humidity or filtering out airborne contaminants, it could be time for an upgrade to a more advanced system that offers better indoor air quality features.

Unpleasant odours emanating from your air conditioner could be a sign of mould, mildew, or even burnt wiring. These issues can cause poor air quality and indicate the need for maintenance or replacement.

Leaking Water or Refrigerant

If you notice water or liquids pooling around your air conditioner or dripping from it, there might be a blockage or damage in the drainage system. This can lead to water damage and potentially mould growth if not addressed promptly.

If your air conditioner uses R-22 refrigerant (also known as Freon), it’s important to note that this refrigerant is being phased out due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, the cost of servicing and repairing R-22 systems is increasing, making it more practical to replace them with newer, more environmentally friendly units that use alternative refrigerants.

Freezing Up

If your air conditioner’s condenser coils are icing up, it could be a sign of restricted airflow, low refrigerant levels, or other mechanical issues. Continued operation in this state can damage the compressor and other components. It’s important to get this issue checked out before any damage to your HVAC systems worsens.

Not Cooling

Obviously, if your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home adequately despite running, it’s a clear indication of a problem. This could be due to various issues such as compressor failure, refrigerant leaks, or faulty components.

If some rooms in your home are consistently warmer or cooler than others, it may indicate that your air conditioner is struggling to distribute air evenly throughout your space, which could be a sign of inefficiency or malfunction.

Loud Noises

Older air conditioners tend to become louder as they age due to wear and tear on components. If your unit is making excessive noise, it could be a sign of worn-out parts or other issues that warrant replacement.

While some level of noise is normal for an air conditioner, excessively loud or unusual noises like banging, grinding, or squealing could indicate mechanical problems. These noises shouldn’t be ignored as they may lead to more significant issues if left unchecked.

What Impacts The Lifespan Of Your Air Conditioner

Plenty of factors go into the expected lifespan of your central AC unit. Whether you’re running an existing system and want to know how much life it has left, or if you’re deciding on a new AC unit to purchase, it’s important to understand what will affect the overall life of your unit.

Location

If you take two identical air conditioner units (both properly installed and with the same AC maintenance schedule) and put one in Florida and the other in Ontario, it’s no surprise if the unit working to repel salty sea air and tropical temperatures year-round wears out faster than the Canadian one that only has to work for half the year at most.

Of course, if the Ontario summer is a particularly hot one, you might have to make your central air conditioner work harder to maintain the cool air in your home.

Overuse

Your family’s personal preference when it comes to temperature will also play a role in your air conditioning unit’s lifespan. If you like to keep your home nice and cool during the summer, your AC unit is going to put in more work to output all that cold air, than if you can tolerate a bit higher temperatures indoors and only turn on your air conditioner when the temperatures really start to soar.

Even with similar maintenance schedules, the AC units that have racked up more running hours will need repairs or replacement sooner than those that only turn on infrequently.

No Maintenance

Regular maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing air filters, checking refrigerant levels, and inspecting components for wear, is essential for keeping your central air conditioner running efficiently and prolonging its lifespan.

Neglecting maintenance can lead to decreased performance, higher energy bills, and premature system failure.

It’s hard to tell if older AC units have had the required maintenance, so if you’re moving into a house with an existing system, it’s best to get it checked out by a professional. They’ll be able to tell you the average lifespan of the particular unit, if there have been frequent repairs done, and any ways to extend the life of the unit.

Weather Damage

Extreme weather events, such as storms, floods, or hail, can cause physical damage to your air conditioner’s outdoor unit, including bending or denting fins, damaging coils, or even flooding electrical components.

Proper protection and maintenance can help mitigate these risks, but severe weather can still impact the lifespan of your unit.

Bad Sizing

Installing an air conditioner that is either too large or too small for your space can lead to inefficient operation and premature wear on components.

An oversized unit may short cycle, turning on and off frequently, while an undersized unit may struggle to cool your space adequately, both of which can reduce the lifespan of the system.

Give Ottawa Home Services A Call!

Whether you need AC repair, replacement, or tune-up, the experts at Ottawa Home Services are ready to help. With vast experience and knowledge in all things HVAC, you can trust our AC technicians. Give us a call at 613-604-4777 or request a quote online today!