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An air conditioner is an important appliance that provides a comfortable environment in your home. It ensures your home stays warm in winter and cool in summer, improves air quality, reduces the risk of respiratory diseases, and keeps odors at bay, among other benefits.
A well-maintained unit can last 10 to 20 years, but its longevity is influenced by various factors that you should be aware of to prolong its life.
Read on to learn what influences the lifespan of your AC, how to extend its life, and when to know it’s time for a replacement.
Factors Influencing Your AC Lifespan
Various crucial factors can influence how long your air conditioning unit lasts. Being aware of them can help you ensure that it lasts long.
Quality Of Installation
For your AC to function optimally, hire a professional to install it to prevent compromising the quality of the installation. A professional understands the voltage, pressure, level of refrigerant, and how to mount it securely, among various considerations.
If you have the necessary skills and are confident, you can go ahead and install an AC. Otherwise, not hiring a professional risks inefficiency and increases future repair costs due to poor installation. Moreover, manufacturers require professional installation for a warranty to be effective.
Additionally, you may end up paying for worthless warranties due to a shoddy job, let alone facing local code fines.
Sizing Your AC Unit
An important factor a professional will consider is the size of the AC unit you need in your home. Hence, proper sizing is crucial for its top performance. That’s why you need to know the correct BTU rating for your AC.
British Thermal Unit, abbreviated as BTU is a unit of measurement that indicates the amount of energy your unit uses to remove heat from your home per hour.
BTU is determined by calculating the square footage of your home. To do this, multiply the length by the width of each room and add all the totals together. Next, multiply the total square footage by 25 to calculate the total BTU needed.
For your information, there are 12,000 BTUs in one ton. Generally, units with higher BTUs are larger because they have more components and a greater capacity to remove heat.
However, it’s worth noting that a unit with a higher rating than is required will waste energy causing increased humidity levels, wearing your unit faster. On the other hand, a unit with a low BTU rating can have difficulty cooling a room effectively.
Below are examples of required BTUs in an AC for various square footage:
| BTU | Square Footage |
| 21,000 | 1,000 to 1,200 |
| 23,000 | 1,200 to 1,400 |
| 24,000 | 1,400 to 1,500 |
| 30,000 | 1,500 to 2,000 |
| 34,000 | 2,500 to 3,000 |
Frequency Of Use
Your cooling unit requires occasional breaks. Running it continuously can put a lot of strain on it causing the components to wear out faster. Thus, turn it off if you’re not in the room.
Exposure To Elements
A unit that sits outside is exposed to the elements throughout the year. But, if you live near a coast, the air is salty, so the sodium chloride in the air settles inside your unit. This results in it degrading very fast, causing it to last between seven and twelve years and sometimes not more than four years.
That’s why if you live in places like Florida, you need a professional to check the unit often because the salty air is extremely corrosive. Also consider installing one that can withstand the harsh, corrosive effects of salty air.
How To Extend The Life Of Your Air Conditioner
Caring for your AC ensures it operates efficiently and lasts longer, and you can achieve this by adopting the practices below:
Regular Maintenance
Your AC can last longer by regularly maintaining it. Start by changing the air filter every three months to reduce wear and tear on the unit. Secondly, clean around the outdoor unit, ensuring it is free of dirt, leaves, and other debris.
Thirdly, call a licensed HVAC professional to inspect, clean, and service your unit at least once a year. This is because professionals have the expertise to inspect the components thoroughly including, the compressor, evaporator coil, fan, condenser coil, condensate drains, and motor assemblies.
Avoid Overworking Your AC
Allow your unit to occasionally have a break, especially when the temperatures outside are bearable. Instead, opt to use a ceiling or portable fan. You can also open the windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate and cool your home.
By using these alternatives, there’s less strain on your cooling appliance. Consequently, it will operate more efficiently with fewer repairs, extending its lifespan.
Regularly Clean The Condenser Coils
Another way to reduce wear and tear on your cooling unit is by cleaning the condenser coils at least once a year. This is because when dirt and grime accumulate, it works harder.
You can call an HVAC professional to clean it, though it will cost between $100 and $400. On the other hand, it costs around $10 to clean the coils yourself, and if this is what you prefer, below is a step-by-step DIY guide.
Tools needed:
- Gloves (optional)
- Cordless drill or screwdriver
- Flashlight
- Fin comb
- Hose with a sprayer attachment
- Shop vacuum, preferably with a wand extension attachment
Method:
- Disconnect the power from your unit by disabling the breaker inside a metal box that’s normally close to the unit. If it’s not outside, it’s inside the house in a circuit breaker box.
- With a cordless drill or screwdriver, unscrew the cover. There are usually four screws holding the cover to the unit.
- Pull up the cover, and lay it aside. Be careful while doing this because it has a wiring harness connecting the motor to the unit’s interior.
- Check inside the unit, and remove the large debris, like leaves with your hands.
- Vacuum the remaining debris and dust with a shop vac. To reach every tiny space and crevice attach a wand extension attachment.
- Afterward, look for bent aluminum fins and use a fin comb to straighten them. Do this carefully as they are extremely delicate.
- Next, you’ll need to clean the fins. If they are dirty a flashlight cannot shine through.
- Spray the fins with a foaming coil cleaner, covering the entire interior, starting from the top.
- Spray from one end to another on each side, while moving downwards.
- Allow the coil cleaner to sit for 10 minutes to dislodge the dirt and debris.
- Using your water hose, spray the inside of the unit starting from the top and work downwards to flush the dirt outwards. Remember the fins are delicate, hence don’t use too much pressure, otherwise, they may bend.
- If the fins are thoroughly cleaned, the flashlight will shine through the fins.
- Once you’re done with the inside, rinse the outside of the unit.
- Screw back the cover onto the appliance.
- Reconnect the power by enabling the breaker.
To visually see how it’s done, check out the video below:
Adjust Thermostat For Efficiency
Set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature to avoid frequent adjustments. Even better, use a smart thermostat, or programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature when you’re not home. This will save energy and reduce wear on your unit.
Shield From Direct Sunlight
Ensure your cooling equipment is installed away from direct sunlight, as the sun’s heat will make it work harder. Use shades, blinds, or an awning to protect your air conditioner from direct sunlight. This will keep it cool while reducing strain on it.
When Should You Replace Your AC?
When your AC has served you for at least 10 years, there are signs you’ll need to watch out for that indicate it needs replacement. They include:
Unusual Noises
If you hear loud or unusual noises like rattling, grinding, or squealing, coming from your unit, it may indicate an underlying mechanical problem. Whereas you can repair the unit and these noises stop, it could also mean it’s time to replace it, especially if the problem keeps recurring despite numerous repairs.
Increasing Energy Bills
If your air conditioning bills keep rising without a clear explanation, inefficiency might be the likely cause. If this issue persists, replacing your unit may be the best solution.
Reduced Efficiency
As your cooling unit ages, it may run all the time or not cool as fast as it used to. When you notice this, it could be time to replace it with a new one.
Recurring Repairs
If you have to repair your cooling equipment many times, it could be a sign that it might stop working soon. Therefore, the sooner you replace it, the better.
Final Thoughts
Understanding factors such as the quality of installation and properly sizing your AC can determine how long it lasts, thus helping to prolong its lifespan.
In addition, regularly maintaining it, not overworking, and setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature are some practices that can extend the unit’s life. Also, knowing when to replace one can save you unnecessary repairs and sudden breakdowns due to aging.
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