Air conditioners can last for a surprisingly long time, but they can also break down unexpectedly. Generally, you can expect to replace an air conditioner unit every 10 to 15 years, unless you have any problems with the unit. The typical life expectancy of an air conditioner is 10 to 15 years, and if it is well maintained and serviced at least once a year, it can keep working well for longer. According to the Department of Energy, the average lifespan of an air conditioner system in the United States is 15 to 20 years. However, in Florida, the life expectancy of the system can be much lower due to the fact that we use our air conditioners almost all year round and they are exposed to high levels of humidity, salt water and sulfur, which has an impact over time. These factors result in an average life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years.
If you replace your 15-year-old 12 SEER unit for a 16 SEER2 unit, you could potentially save up to 40% on cooling costs per year*. As the operating efficiency of an air conditioner decreases over time (or due to poor maintenance), after fifteen years your 12 SEER air conditioner could be operating close to a 10 SEER level. This means that you could save up to 68% a year in cooling costs if you were to switch to a 16-unit SEER2* system. Upgrade to a system with an even higher SEER2 rating and your potential savings will increase. When deciding whether to repair or replace your current air conditioning unit, it's important to consider the cost of any repair based on the age and energy efficiency of the unit as well as your comfort level. If you have a relatively new air conditioning unit, unless the cost of repairs amounts to thousands of dollars, it rarely makes financial sense to replace it with a new one.
If your air conditioner is less than 10 years old, well maintained, and hasn't suffered any serious faults, it may be best to repair the unit. However, if your AC system is more than 10 years old and has been poorly maintained or has suffered from multiple faults over time, then replacing it with a new one may be more cost-effective in the long run. Replacing your old AC system with a new one can also help improve indoor air quality and reduce energy bills. When considering whether or not to replace your AC system, it's important to weigh up all the factors involved. Consider how old your current system is, how much energy it consumes, how much money you would save by replacing it with a more efficient model, and how comfortable you are with making such a large investment.
