Here in Phoenix Arizona an air conditioner (or heat pump)is an absolute necessity. As with any mechanical item an air conditioner will wear out over time. While it is possible to extend the life of an air conditioner well past the average life expectancy, it is not always cost effective to do this. With an aged air conditioner there are increased maintenance expenses and increased operating expenses. Over the years, air conditioner manufacturers are designing more and more efficient units that drastically reduce the amount of electricity consumed compared to the older units.
The average life expectancy of an air conditioner is approximately 15 years, however the air conditioners life expectancy is dependent on many factors including:
- Quality of the unit – Lower quality air conditioners will typically fail much faster due to the quality of parts installed
- Routine maintenance – If routine maintenance was neglected, the air conditioner will typically fail sooner
- Amount of use – An air conditioner installed in a cooler climate will typically last longer due to decreased use
- Proper sizing – If the air conditioner is not properly sized for the home it will either run too much or cycle on and off too often causing it to fail sooner
I see allot of air conditioners during my home inspections in Phoenix that are over 20 years old that work just fine. Just because these systems work, you should keep in mind the added cost of an older air conditioner.
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Hey Josh, you had given a great information about the air conditions and to increase their life. Thanks for this.