STOP Replacing Your AC Unit TOO Soon!!!

If you are asking how long do AC units last, you are going to want to watch this video. How long do air conditioners last depends on a few factors that will impact the longevity of an HVAC system. Watch the quick video to find out more.

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

Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, 1-800-803-9202

[Rick-tbso]

My system is 25 to 30 years old. I had a HVAC Tech come out and he told me to run it until it fails, that is an honest Tech.

[teenfifT]

My Rheem high efficiency heat pump is 34 years old. I live in C. Florida so from March until October the unit runs daily. From November to February, off and on heat or cool on when needed. I've replaced the fan motor, capacitor and contacts just once each. No leaks. I clean the evaporator and compressor coils occasionally and change the filter about monthly. I got an AC guy who maintains my rentals and gives me great prices. He told me "run it 'til it dies". Amen.

[freespirit]

In 2019, my elderly mother didn't ask me about it first and called a local AC company about their Lennox heat pump leaking water onto the floor. My dad was out of it with Dementia or he would have caught it. The company was such crooks that they recommended an entire new unit be installed. My mother told them she would think about it. She called them back the next day and they came back out. One of the crooks even told my mother that he laid awake the night before thinking about it and had come to the conclusion that she in fact DID need a new unit. Obviously his conscious was bothering him. Meanwhile she called me while they were actually there and I told her the condensate drain was probably clogged. She dismissed them and they got mad and told her NOT to call them ever again! Unbelievable. I called a plumber friend that sent over a man that does AC work for him and the man blew out the line and wouldn't even take money that we tried to give him. That system is still running so far in September 2023. There are some REAL crooks out there.

[Rchan]

My over 40 year old system is still running. Good ol sears. It was installed by my dad before I was born and now I'm still using it

[ThomasMarcotte-jtod]

I caught a tech trying to condemn a system at a widow's house who just returned from her husband's funeral. He quoted her a $9, 000 system to get back going. I asked him what the problem was right now-today. He said bad capacitor. I said dude, put the new part on and leave. He changed the cap no-charge out of shame.

[forthefunofit]

Nice to have this input from you!. My Day and Night AC unit is going strong after 30 yrs. Yes we done stuff to it but nothing major. Most recent was the condenser fan. Thanks.

[mayssm]

I had one similar to the one at the start of the video at my last house. Over 14 years I had the freon recharged twice, and the fan motor replaced once, but it still ran great. I think that thing was maybe from the early 80s. I asked the repairman if I should upgrade to a new system, and he said if it were him, he'd keep it as long as he could because they just don't make them like that anymore.

[rickb]

Too true! I once had 4 different A/C companies out to look at my unit and NONE of them told me the same thing, but they were all very eager to change out major parts of the system. One told me it ALL needed to be replaced. I did my research online and found out 2 things: my blower fan capacitor needed to be replaced ($12) and my motherboard needed to be replaced ($110). Did them both myself. The estimates I was give were between $1, 500 and $3, 500!

[Intechdude]

My Rheem classic 3.5 ton heat pump from 2003 still works great & never struggles to heat and cool my home. In the last 6 years, I personally replaced the capacitor twice, the heater control board, and most recently the contactor.

[cd]

My Heat Pump is a 26 year old system that runs awesome. I have had problems with it and have called HVAC companies to fix it in a few occasions but have gotten outrageous quotes and the usual “your unit is too old and should be replaced”. I have learned how to work on my system and have replaced the evaporator fan, condensers (2), replaced a Schrader valve and added refrigerant R22 saving a ton of money!

[raindogs]

33 year HVAC guy and my experience is EXACTLY yours, to the letter.

[danbro]

You make excellent HVAC videos. To the point - - which is what I like!

[callmebigpapa]

Great video!!!! My parents Lennox lasted 27 years and just has heat strips since it is in FL. It was still working fine when they replaced it they just wanted a new system. It had a fan with a grease fitting it was so old.

[DEValentine]

20+ years out of an HVAC system is what I was raised to expect.

I've had HVAC techs "condemn" perfectly functional systems on me. Fell for it once when I was traveling and my wife panicked over what the tech told her. Now I get second opinions and avoid the shops known for paying big commissions to service techs.

[jimreilly]

KEEP CONDENSER FINS CLEAN. CHANGE THE FILTER. These 2 things WILL extend the life of your HVAC units.

[mikeperdue]

I live in North Dakota and use my A/C about 4 months a year I have lived in this house for 23 years and I think we recharged it one time ! It is actually a system from Sears that was installed about 51 years ago now

[jmodified]

My 41-year-old straight cool system is still going, and this is in Florida so it gets a lot of use. It used to burn up condenser fan motors every few years, until I replaced the 1/4 hp motor with a 1/3 (I found out the original came with an option of 1/4 or 1/3). Capacitors needed replacing twice in the last 18 years. It once had a pinhole leak near the filter drier which I replaced, but otherwise nothing has gone wrong. The compressor is getting a bit loud, but I'm hoping to get a few more years out of it.

You might think a new system would pay for itself with energy savings, but if you do the math and include moderate interest on the cost of a new system, it would take at least 30 years, and I don't expect a new system to last that long.

[gelguitarist]

My ac units (York 3 and 4 ton) are 19 years old. I had some leaks in the evap coils, but took a chance on some Easy Seal. I bought some Yellow Jacket gauges and injected them in each unit. Leak tested before and after and they definitely worked.

[handlesaredumb]

As a tech I always tell people run it until it dies. There are four reasons to consider a replacement. Compressor failure, leak in evap coil, leak on condenser coil, busted heat exchangers. These only matter if the unit is out of warranty. They can still run around $1k where I live to replace even if the part is covered by warranty though.

[xxBLKSNXxx]

Mines been working 22 years and still going strong. Take care of your equipment and learn a little and it’ll last you forever. Most hvac stuff is really simple. Too many folks get taken advantage of.