At Polar Air & Heating, Inc., we frequently receive phone calls from Las Vegas residents wanting to know how long their HVAC system will last. This is an understandable question since the HVAC system is vital to the home’s function and is costly to replace. It seems like HVAC systems often fail at the worst possible moment. Knowing how long the system will last allows you to put money aside in advance for repair or replacement costs.
The Components That Make Up an HVAC System
You should understand the components that make up your home’s HVAC system. HVAC is an acronym for “heat, ventilation, and air conditioning.”
Your HVAC system temperature controls the air in your home while removing impurities from the air. The simplicity of the HVAC acronym hides the complexity of the system. Each component, heating, air-conditioning, or air filtering, is complex. Because of this, your HVAC system could completely stop working but not need to be completely repaired. The professionals at Polar Air & Heating, Inc. can often make minor repairs or do a part replacement to get your system up and running again.
Each home in your neighborhood could have different HVAC systems that use unique fuel sources. Some separate the heating and the cooling unit while others use a combined system. We mention this to highlight that the lifespan of an HVAC system will vary based on the type of system, the quality of individual components, and the maintenance given to the system.
General Facts About an HVAC System’s Lifespan
Generally, an HVAC system in Las Vegas, Nevada will last between 15 and 25 years. Your home’s HVAC system is a key part of its function. For this reason, it experiences heavy use. Because the summers are scorching in Vegas and winter temps hover around freezing, most people use their HVAC systems all year long.
Modern HVAC systems are built to last and withstand consistent usage. Installing and purchasing an HVAC system is a substantial financial investment, so you expect it to last decades. However, between 15 and 25 years is a broad range. You can take steps to make sure that your HVAC system lasts closer to the 25-year mark than the 15-year mark.
There is such a broad range in your system’s lifespan because it is built of different components. These include ductwork, power generators, electronics for thermostats, and systems for exhaust and airflow. If any one of these fails, it could impact the longevity of your unit.
The Lifespan of Central Air Units
Most central air units will last between 12 and 15 years if used moderately and are well-maintained. Air conditioners fail quicker than furnaces or other heat-producing units because a lot of moisture is being sucked into the unit and removed through the exhaust. The particulates that are sucked into the air conditioner from your home are corrosive to the copper elements inside the unit.
There is no correlation between the size of the unit and how quickly it will break down. The only exception is if your unit is not the right size for your home. For example, if you have a 1-ton air conditioner and try to cool a space that requires a 3-ton air conditioner, the unit will break down because it’s running harder and longer than it is designed to do.
Heatiing Units
Most heat pumps last for around 16 years. Furnaces last between 15 and 20 years, depending on how they are used. It is difficult to accurately say how long an HVAC system will last. Your air conditioner might cut out on you after only 11 years, but a furnace installed at the same time could last for two decades or more.
Our technicians at Polar Air & Heating, Inc. can help you evaluate the current condition of your HVAC system and identify which components may need to be repaired or replaced. While it might feel like you are replacing parts every five years or so, it is better from a cost perspective to replace different components of your HVAC system at different times instead of shelling out thousands of dollars all at once.
The Role of Maintenance in an HVAC System’s Longevity
If you run your air conditioner or heater 24 hours a day, it will experience more wear and tear than if you turn it on a few times throughout the day to keep your home comfortable. Your area’s climate and the frequency with which you run your system affect its longevity.
You may be surprised to know that improvements in insulation have lowered the longevity of HVAC systems. Improved insulation makes your home less drafty, but it also prevents fresh air from flowing in. This means that dust, chemicals, and building particulates stay in the air. Over time, these particulates can damage your HVAC system.
Maintenance is the key if you want your system to last for a long time. Talk to Polar Air & Heating, Inc. technicians about setting up annual cleanings and tune-ups to keep your HVAC system running at optimal conditions. We recommend that you service your air conditioner in the early spring and your furnace in the fall before cold weather begins.
Our technicians will remove dirt from condenser coils, look at overflow valves, and check for other problems. Many of the issues that they find are small, but they will lead to significant HVAC failures if they are not addressed.
You might think that annual HVAC maintenance is an unnecessary expense, especially if the system is new and running well. However, if we can find little problems and fix them, we will save you a lot of money in the long run.
There are some minor maintenance tasks that homeowners can handle themselves. This includes changing filters on your furnace. Professionals should address more complex maintenance issues for your safety and the safety of the equipment.
When Is the Best Time to Fix My HVAC Unit?
Fixing your HVAC unit a day before it breaks down is preferable to fixing it after it breaks. Furnace repairs and replacements are the most expensive during the winter. Air conditioning repairs and replacements are the most costly during the summer.
The best thing that you can do is invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system. It will lower the overall operating cost because it uses less energy. Second, because it is well-designed, it typically has a longer lifespan than older and less efficient units.
Work with Las Vegas’ Top HVAC Professionals
Polar Air & Heating, Inc. has been offering high-quality services to Las Vegas residents for many years. The work that we do keeps our customers cool during the blazing hot summer and warm during the cool winters of the Mojave Desert. As a Lennox Premier Dealer, we can offer the lowest price guaranteed on all Lennox equipment.
Whether you need AC or heating repairs, installation, or maintenance, we are the ones to call. With our meticulous workmanship, we produce results that last. We look forward to showing you why our team is so trusted. We can’t wait to help you feel more comfortable in your home. Contact Polar Air & Heating, Inc. today.
