There’s no such thing as finding “the last heating or air conditioning system you’ll ever need to buy.” All systems have a limited service life and will eventually wear down to the point they won’t run anymore or cost too much to keep in service.
Nobody wants to go through the process of replacing an HVAC system. It doesn’t come with the same excitement as getting a new car or finding a new home. But it’s necessary for the health and comfort of your family and we’re going to help you today with a look at the estimated service lives of the most common HVAC systems. Age isn’t an absolute determining factor for when to replace an HVAC system, but it’s definitely one of the best and easiest to calculate.
Gas furnace
It’s winter now, so we’ll start with the most common type of heater used in homes. A natural gas furnace can last for 10-15 years. If a furnace receives regular maintenance, it shouldn’t have trouble reaching 15 years. People can sometimes get a gas furnace to last 20 years with diligent care, but we don’t advise trying to squeeze this much extra life from your furnace.
Electric furnace
A benefit of the electric furnace is that it wears down slower than a gas furnace. Most electric furnaces will last for 20 and sometimes 25 years. Again, maintenance plays a part (it always does), so make sure you stay current with annual maintenance inspections and tune-ups to ensure you get the longest service life possible from your furnace.
Heat pumps
The dual-use heat pump—heating and cooling—will last from 10-15 years. Unlike gas furnaces, which can often go past their upper limit, heat pumps tend to have a hard stop at 15 years, especially since they run twice as often as a heater or an air conditioner.
Ductless mini splits
These are types of heat pumps, but they have a much longer service life expectancy: from 10-30 years. This is because they don’t suffer from the same level of stress, never experience duct leaks, and have variable speed compressor motors. But that lifespan expectancy is wide, so make sure you keep close track of the unit once it’s over 10 years.
Air conditioners
Standard central air conditioning systems can last around 15 years with regular maintenance. They will usually outlast heat pumps because they don’t work in both summer and winter.
We hope this has helped you get a better idea of how long you can expect to keep your current HVAC system working and when to start looking to schedule a new HVAC installation in Greenville, SC. Aside from the age of your HVAC system, watch for other factors that will warn you the system is wearing down: high energy bills, short-cycling, strange sounds, uneven heating and cooling, and slower heating and cooling times. The best way to get good answers about how much longer your HVAC system will last is to ask our team to inspect it.
Contact Carolina Climate Control for all your comfort needs. “The Moose Is Loose in Your Neighborhood!”