How Long Do HVAC Systems Last?
Your HVAC system as a whole should last 15-25 years, but individual parts have different lifespans. Here’s how to know when it’s time for a replacement.
Written by Bellina Gaskey
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Your HVAC (heating and cooling) system lasts 15-25 years as a whole, but some appliances last longer than others. To get the maximum use out of your appliances, keep up with annual maintenance, have your system correctly sized, and use it efficiently.
An inefficient heating and cooling system doesn’t just make your house uncomfortable—it also ramps up your utility bills and increases your environmental impact.
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How long do HVAC systems last?
Your HVAC system as a whole should last 15-25 years, although the different components of your heating and cooling system each have different lifespans. Here is a basic list of appliances that make up your HVAC system and their projected lifespans:
Appliance type | Typical lifespan | Common cause of failure |
|---|---|---|
AC unit | 15-20 years | compressor or condenser |
Furnace | 20-30+ years | heat exchanger |
Boiler | 20-35 years | heat exchanger |
Water heater | 10-20 years depending on type | --------- |
Heat pump | 10-20 years | compressor or condenser |
Ductless mini-split | 10-30 years | -------- |
Thermostat | 20-25 years (but you’ll want to upgrade sooner) | -------- |
What can reduce the lifespan of my HVAC system?
There are several reasons why your heating and cooling appliances can need replacement prematurely.
First, you can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your appliances through inefficient use or overuse. It doesn’t make sense to blast your air conditioner while your windows are open in the summer—and this will strain the machinery more than you think.
Second, an improperly sized system will use up more energy and deteriorate faster. If you’re building a new house or getting new HVAC appliances, make sure to get a professional recommendation and select parts that are scaled correctly to your home size.
Third, using low-quality replacement parts to handle maintenance issues can decrease the lifespan of your appliances. You may think you’re saving money by purchasing a cheaper part, but you’ll end up having to buy a whole new unit sooner.
Finally, being located in a coastal area can necessitate replacing HVAC parts at a higher rate than average. If you live near the ocean, the salt exposure and potential corrosion will put a higher strain on your machinery.
Improve the longevity of your appliances by scheduling regular maintenance and buying original manufacturer replacements when necessary.
Key Takeaway Your HVAC system’s lifespan can be impacted by overuse, low-quality replacement parts, size of your house, environment, and more. Make sure to regularly schedule maintenance to keep it in good shape.
Signs you need to replace your HVAC system
Chances are you won’t need to replace your furnace, boiler, water heater, and air conditioning unit all at once.
It’s better to replace parts one at a time than to wait until they all age significantly—upgrading to new appliances can save you money. As appliances age, they become less efficient, inflating your energy bills.
Here are situations in which you may need to replace one of your HVAC appliances:
- You need a replacement part that’s no longer available
- If your AC uses R-22 Freon, which the EPA has now phased out of production, you’ll need a new system as soon as you require more Freon
- You experience frequent breakdowns even with regular maintenance. (Always get a final tune-up or diagnostic inspection before throwing out an appliance, though)
- Your energy bills are increasing—and it’s not due to market changes or different weather
- Your machinery is making strange noises
- For your furnace: your home humidity levels are rising abnormally, the furnace is making strange noises, or it starts turning on and off randomly
- The appliance is rusting, corroded, or splitting
- It is more than 10-15 years old
Does home insurance cover my HVAC system?
Home insurance works by providing financial compensation in the event of a named peril, like theft, fire, or explosion. So if a fire destroys one of your appliances or a tree gets struck by lightning and falls onto your outdoor AC unit, you could file a claim.
However, home insurance won’t cover replacing your AC unit or furnace due to aging, wear and tear, or neglecting maintenance.
Check your home warranty instead to see if you qualify for any rebates for replacing an appliance, especially if it’s still young.
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When should you replace your HVAC system?
If an appliance in your HVAC system is older than 10 or 15 years, it may be worth it to replace it. However, you shouldn’t just throw away an appliance before seeing if a tune-up or replacement part will solve any issues you’re having.
How do you know when your HVAC is going bad?
A component in your HVAC system may be going bad if it’s corroded, splitting, making strange noises, your energy bills are randomly increasing, or your home humidity levels suddenly change.
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