Factors Impacting the HVAC System’s Service Life

There are a range of factors that can shorten the life of HVAC equipment, including:

• Inadequate maintenance activities
• Defective parts or poor initial consistency
• Device oversizing or undersizing
• Inadequate installation techniques
• Unreasonably high consumption or loads
• Heating or cooling with windows and doors open is an example of improper use.
• Installation in conditions that are salty or corrosive, such as coastal areas
• The most damaging of these are inadequate maintenance and oversizing. Oversizing can cause regular on-and-off cycling, resulting in compressor or blower motor failure, whereas a lack of maintenance can result in accelerated component wear and a significantly shorter life span. 
• Sacramento HVAC systems will last longer with preventive maintenance plans because minor problems will be found before they need expensive repairs. Since salt corrodes the condenser unit, air conditioners or heat pumps in coastal areas will have a substantially shorter lifespan.

Life Expectancy of HVAC Units

The lifetime of an HVAC system is determined by its type. The typical life spans for common HVAC equipment are as follows, according to our Sacramento HVAC team:

Gas Furnaces 

Our Sacramento heating company explains that Gas furnaces usually last 20 to 30 years, or even longer, with proper maintenance. A furnace is usually replaced when the heat exchanger begins to leak. Additionally, it is one of the most important and costly components. As follows, our poorly maintained or dubious quality systems can last as little as ten years. However, oil furnaces usually last about 10 to 15 years due to the inefficient fuel’s maintenance issues.

Boilers 

Boilers have a significantly longer life cycle than furnaces, ranging from 20 to 35 years. If the heat exchanger begins to leak, they are usually replaced.

Air Conditioners

The majority of air conditioners can last 15 to 20 years, but some will only last 10 years. Due to salt penetration, they usually only survive seven to twelve years in coastal areas. If the compressor fails or the condenser develops excessive corrosion and leaks, both air conditioners and heat pumps are usually replaced.

Heat Pumps

Depending on how much they are used, heat pumps can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, but 15 is the average. Heat pumps are similar to air conditioners in terms of functionality. However, since they can provide both heating and cooling, they are usually used for a longer period of time each year. Heat pumps in coastal areas can also fail prematurely, with lifespans ranging from seven to twelve years.