Are new AC systems JUNK? Everything you need to know

We used to be able to get 30 to 40 years out of an HVAC system before needing to replace it with a new one. Now, air conditioning and heating systems only last half as long. Are newer systems junk, or are they actually better? We cover this topic in detail in this video. We hope you enjoy it.

Before you buy, find out the ins and outs of HVAC systems.

[dondalphinjr]

When I completed my military contract in 1978, I bought a townhome in O.C., Ca. which at the time was 6 years old. Over the years, I went to trade school, learned HVAC, moved across the country to mid west, back to So. Calif, then retired & moved to Utah. I recently went to visit a former neighbor in the townhome complex. Looking out his upstairs window to my former home, the Original 1972 ac condenser still on the roof. Over 50 years old & still running. Switching gears, I noticed HUGE INCREASE in breakdowns with the introduction of circuit board's, inverter motors, R410 a, etc

[NikkiGRocksEver]

Thank you Kenneth for the information. I hired a contractor to repair my handler. Said my AC is obsolete. I needed a whole new system. He was in my home for 10 minutes. He only saw the handler. He emailed me a quote. I declined it. I watched your videos. I took notes. I found an honest contractor. He actually fixed the problem.

If I lived in Texas, I would definitely have hired you.

[wholeNwon]

My old Carrier R12 systems lasted 47 yrs. and were still cooling when I replaced them for rust and wiring issues. I know exactly how a system is supposed to be installed and the tech. did a very good job. The price for 2 simple systems was very good. Now I keep the condenser area clean, be sure air flow through the condenser coils is good, don't exceed MERV 8 in the extra large filter boxes, etc. and never let anyone touch the systems. There are no "tune ups", checking refrigerant, etc., etc. I keep spare capacitors and, after 10 yrs., got a spare contactor...just in case.

[TofuInc]

The number one reason AC systems don't last as long is the industry as a whole pushes towards replacement vs repair. Any good techs move on to commercial or better paying positions, and fewer knowledgeable techs servicing residential systems. I see 5-6 year old systems being ripped out just because a new tech has been out 3 or 4 times misdiagnosing it and now sales it pushing for a replacement. A lot of people like to focus on manufactures being cheap or the epa changing rules but it's the service side of the industry that is a large part of the problem.

[justinfowler]

The difference between older and newer equipment is that the manufacturers have gotten much better with their pre-planned obsolescence programs.

[duotronic]

I have a mid 1990s r22 natural gas trane system at my California condo. No rust. The thing is a tank. Replaced fan motor. Tightened a loose Schrader valve. Filled with refrigerant. Replaced the transformer & furnace switch. It's worth $20k to keep that thing running.

[jessebates]

I'm currently soliciting bids to replace my 25-year old 10seer Ruud AC and furnace. AC started blowing transformers out of nowhere one day a couple weeks ago and I began researching all of the pros/cons of various brands, stages, et al. Your videos have been a huge help and the timeliness of this one was simply perfect, especially the bit bit about the additional ducts with a bigger unit-- I never would have thought of that. Kudos to you and your team, and if I lived in your region of Texas I would be calling you up!

[Deek]

My rheem is from 1978 and i turn it down to 65 every night in the summer and it is still going strong, no issues

[luckysslevin]

I bought my house in 2011 my realtor told me my ac was old and might need to be replaced soon, 13 years later still running strong

[DBVintage]

A friend of mine has an old system that is from the 1980s. Still works perfectly.

[lelmus]

I partially agree with your statements, but some parts are missed. SEER is important, but the factors that made it need explanation. 1) the pressure in the older systems was half with R22 by comparison to the new R410A. That increases the faults for easier leaks and earlier failure of the compressor. This was supposed to be negated by the thickness of all tubing and stronger compressor. R410A has the ability to get colder faster, thus improving SEER. 2) the TXV valve is more sophisticated with more parts and thus can fail easier. Its benefits are import and to open more when the room is hot and slightly close when the room cools off, thus shortening the time the unit runs and improving SEER. 3) it’s well known that DC motors are more energy efficient compared to the older AC motors, but the electrical circuit is another failure point to just the windings and stator. Thus the ECM motor improves SEER.

[angstrommanagement]

Its true, I bought a house in 1987 that had a Heil system from the late 60s that lasted until 2005, the Rheem I replaced it with lasted 12, and the top of the line Lennox Elite after that had bad coils twice within three years...I sold the house in 2023, and its now on its fourth system within 18 years.

[OnlyGamesPlayed]

Spent a lot of money for a Lennox system that died 5 months after the 5 year warranty expired🤬🤬🤬 5:25 ! I live in the South Bay Area of Los Angeles! We use the condenser unit about 3 maybe 4 months at worst out of a year! I live in a single story 1400 square foot house! The sad part is…i had it serviced twice a year!

[arcticarrowhvacr]

If we could make systems to last 50 years in the 1970’s, units today should last double that. Sadly the trend is opposite. People buy new ones without a second thought and everything they save on the electric bill they spend on repairs. Efficiency curves have a directly inverse reliability curve.

[philippusviridi]

I have a 28 year Arcoaire that I just had the condenser fan motor replaced. The tech told me do not even think about replacing it. He said the new ac now are total junk. When he had it apart I was amazed that the compressor still looks brand new.

[Celtic-Texan]

My old home, which I still own and rent out, has a 38 year old Trane that just won't die. My home I live in now, the unit installed when new was a Goodman, it died in 8 years, both the external compressor and the internal evaporator coil magically went belly up at the same time. I now have Payne equipment, fingers crossed I can get more than 8 years out of this setup.

[SonsofIssac]

I think the difference in pressure between 410a and R22 has a huge effect on the systems in general. It’s going to be harder on equipment to run 410 pressures all the time versus r22

[zackzack]

reminds me of john deere tractors when a headlight is replaced you do need to take it to the manufacture to clear the problem lights on the display

[jasonlovell]

One of the easiest ways to bring down the cost of housing is to bring back R 22 units. At the very least we should keep 410 A instead of going to the next unproven Freon. The most efficient unit is the one that lasts over 20 years! Also buy the simplest unit available.

[woohunter]

My last condenser only lasted about 3 1/2 years! I have a big dog that was peeing on it, causing pinholes in the coil! Not covered under warranty. I now have a fence about 2’ away from it. Ten years so far, so good.