Individual residential air conditioning unit for the entire 15-year-old house. Heat pumps with central air source for 15 years (and up to 20 to 25 years if well maintained and in a well-insulated house) Ductless mini-split air conditioning systems (heat pumps) for 20 years. Most air conditioning units last 10 to 20 years on average. A central air conditioning unit lasts 12 to 17 years, representing a normal amount of use, regular inspections and maintenance. HVAC systems are basic systems for your home that undergo intensive use.
If you live in a climate where all four seasons are extreme, you can use your HVAC system almost all year round. Residents of warmer climates can cause less wear and tear on their systems. Although powerful, air conditioning systems are designed to withstand this use and last, on average, between 15 and 25 years. These systems are often expensive to buy and install, so much so that they are expected to last decades, but 15 to 25 years is a wide range, and there are quite a few steps you can take to extend their lifespan.
As a result, maintenance services and minor repairs are performed more frequently and extend the total life of HVAC systems. In addition, they cover replacement costs when it's finally time to replace them. While replacing an HVAC unit is a significant investment in your home, it may make more financial sense if, over time, it will save you money on repairs and utilities. Each component of an air conditioning system is complex and, often, what appears to be a total failure at first glance is the rapid replacement or repair of a part of one of the systems.
