How long can you go without calling for service for your HVAC? Why, until it breaks down. When will that be? Who can say? Tomorrow? Ten years from now, if you’re lucky.
Some homeowners do go long periods forgoing regular HVAC maintenance, perhaps dreading that moment when at long last, their inattention catches up with them and the HVAC stops cooling or heating. To be honest, scheduling regular HVAC maintenance doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you will never need to call for help, but as most HVAC pros know, when you must call, a well-maintained unit is less likely to need a significant and expensive repair than one that’s never been looked after.
If you’re not sure why HVAC maintenance is important, take a look at the longevity of certain systems.
How Long Your System Will Likely Last
- Gas Furnace: 20 to 30 years with proper maintenance. When a gas furnace stops heating, it’s usually because the heat exchanger has failed.
- Oil Furnace: 10 to 15 years.
- Boiler: 20 to 35 years. Breakdown is usually due to heat-exchanger failure.
- Central air conditioner: 15 to 20 years, although lesser brands may last 10 years. Near the coasts, life span is typically seven to 12 years because of salt exposure. General cause for replacement is compressor failure.
- Heat Pumps: 10 to 20 years. In coastal areas, they last seven to 12 years.
- Ductless Mini Splits: These can last 10 to 30 years; in coastal areas, they will last fewer years.
Obviously, how much you use your system will affect its longevity. Other factors that will figure in:
- How well maintained the system is.
- The quality of the brand.
- The quality of the installation, particularly if the unit was sized too large or too small. Either factor puts stress on the system, causing it to work harder.
- Corrosive atmosphere (salt spray).
- Running the system with the windows or doors open so that it must work harder to attain set temperature points.
For more information on HVAC maintenance and how long your system might last, contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We serve Indianapolis and the surrounding area.
