Your HVAC system is a major investment and is a crucial part of your home. You may be wondering how long your residential HVAC system will last and how you can get the most out of it.
On average, we see HVAC systems last anywhere from 15 to 25 years, although this will depend on the type of system and other factors. Even with regular residential HVAC repair and maintenance, even the HVAC systems in great shape will eventually run their course.
What is the average lifespan of an HVAC unit?
The lifespan of your HVAC system relies heavily on what type of equipment it is. Below are a few types of HVAC systems:
Furnaces
As long as you properly maintain and repair your furnace, you can expect your gas furnace to last anywhere from 20 to 30 years or longer. Your furnace will typically need to be replaced when the heat exchanger begins to leak. This is because it is a critical and pricey component of a gas furnace.
If your system is poorly maintained or is low quality, you may only get ten years out of it. An oil furnace will typically only last ten years, mainly due to maintenance problems that are caused by inefficient fuel.
Heat Pumps
You can expect a heat pump to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on how often it is used. The average lifespan is around 15 years.
A heat pump can be used to provide both heating and cooling, so they are used more often throughout the year. In coastal areas, heat pumps may fail early with a lifespan of seven to 12 years.
Ductless Mini-splits
Similar to heat pumps, ductless mini-splits can provide heating and cooling to your home. These ductless systems have a lifespan of anywhere from 10 to 30 years but have a shorter lifespan in coastal areas.
Air Conditioners
Typically, an air conditioner will last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. This depends on how frequently you use the air conditioner. The average lifespan is 15 years.
What Factors Affect HVAC System Lifespans?
There are a number of factors that can negatively affect the lifespan of your HVAC system, including:
- Lack of/poor quality maintenance or HVAC repair
- High usage or a heavy load on your HVAC system’s equipment
- Undersized HVAC equipment or oversize HVAC system
- Poor Quality or defective components
- Salty or Corrosive Environments
- Incorrectly using the system (An example would be cooling with the windows open)
Out of all of these factors, the major problems occur from lack of maintenance and oversizing. When you don’t maintain your system properly, it can lead to components wearing out faster, leading to a shorter lifespan.
Oversizing can lead to more frequent on-and-off cycling, which can cause blower motor or compressor failure. With a preventative HVAC maintenance plan in place, Ventec Refrigeration can help you extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.
How Can Ventec Help My HVAC System?
In addition to residential HVAC repair with quality parts, our experienced technicians can also provide:
HVAC Maintenance
Maintenance is key to the Ventec team, which is why we offer a residential maintenance program. This scheduled maintenance will help you to reduce operating costs, increase system efficiency, and give you the peace of mind that our equipment is reliable.
HVAC Installation
If your system is nearing the end of its lifespan and isn’t working as efficiently as before, we can help! Our experts can make recommendations for the proper HVAC replacement to provide you with lower energy costs, fewer repair costs, and a more comfortable indoor environment.
To learn more about our residential HVAC repair services, contact Ventec Refrigeration today!
