As a homeowner, you want everything in your house to function as it should. You want your family to enjoy warm air during the winter and cool air during the summer. When the HVAC equipment stops working, you know that this is an important investment, and you want to make sure to buy the right one. However, before you decide, you need to know what to look for and how long you can expect each option to last. Let’s see.
Estimated HVAC Equipment Lifespan
You want your HVAC system to give you as many years of use as possible and, depending on the type of unit that you buy; you can expect it to last between 15 and 25 years. To stretch its lifespan as much as possible, be sure to get regular preventive maintenance and repair it as soon as you see the first signs of trouble. However, despite how much love you give it, your heating and cooling system will eventually need to be replaced.
Lifespans of Different Types of HVAC Units
Different types of heating and cooling equipment will give you a different number of years of service. Here are some examples:
Furnaces
It is not unusual to have a gas furnace last up to 30 years with proper maintenance. Yet, poorly maintained systems may last as little as ten years. What makes furnaces fail most often is the heat exchanger failing. If you have an oil furnace, you can expect it to last at most 15 years, primarily due to the inefficient fuel.
Boilers
Boilers tend to last longer than furnaces, going for up to 35 years. What prompts a replacement is usually a leak in the heat exchanger.
Air Conditioners
Air conditioners generally last up to 20 years, although the geographical area may play a role in their lifespan. Coastal locations with high heat and humidity levels may cut their lifespans short, usually because of the unit’s exposure to the salty air. What makes a replacement necessary is a failing compressor or corrosion in the condenser line.
Heat Pumps
You can expect a heat pump to last for as long as 20 years, but in general, they run for about 15. Being so similar to air conditioners, heat pumps will also fail sooner when located in coastal areas with high humidity and heat. Weather alone can be responsible for cutting the life of heat pumps by over five years. Also, because heat pumps are used to provide both heat and cool air, they tend to be used year-round, which impacts their lifespan.
Mini-Splits
Mini-splits are similar to heat pumps because they can work for you during hot and cold months. Although you can expect them to last as long as 30 years, their lifespan will be cut short if they are located in areas with salty air, heat, and humidity.
Help Your HVAC Equipment Last Long
Lack of maintenance is the most impactful factor that plays a role on how long your HVAC equipment lasts. Also, if your unit was incorrectly installed or did not have the right size for the space, it will be working much harder. That’s why you can get more out of your system by addressing these concerns through professional HVAC services in St Paul.