Air Conditioning

It Depends (We’ll Tell You Exactly Why)

As responsible human beings, we like to have our questions answered. We want to know things ahead of time so we can prepare. But as we all know, life doesn’t usually work this way.
You don’t know where you’re going to be in 10 years. You don’t know who is going to be the next president of the United States. And when you buy that new air conditioner and schedule your AC replacement, you don’t know how long your new system is going to last.
What we can tell you is that newer, high-efficiency air conditioners are designed to last between 15 to 20 years. But this is never guaranteed. Ultimately, the lifespan of your air conditioner depends on a number of different factors, which we’re going to cover in this blog.

The Longevity of Your Air Conditioner Depends on…

1. The quality of the installation. Many people don’t know this, but the installation is the most important moment of any new system’s life. It lays the foundation for how well your unit will perform today, tomorrow and every day for years to come. When left to a technician with poor training or a disregard for your wellbeing, your system can be set up to fail. For instance, the drainage system can be installed improperly, the thermostat can be put in an incorrect area (i.e., near a vent or an area that receives a lot of sunlight) or the ductwork can be installed carelessly with cracks and imperfections. This is why it’s so important to choose not only the right product, but the right installation company. Two key qualifiers are whether the company employs NATE (North American Technician Excellence)-certified technicians, and whether the company has hundreds or even thousands of five-star reviews.
2. How often and how well the unit is maintained. If you fail to maintain your car, you can’t expect it to last very long. Well, the same goes for your air conditioner. If you want your AC to last for as long as possible, seasonal maintenance is an absolute must—especially here in Florida where the summers are brutal. Plus, since we live near the coast, the salty sea air takes a toll on your air conditioner’s outdoor condensing coils. The coils need to be cleaned on a regular basis as part of the seasonal tune-up. Seasonal maintenance not only prolongs the life of your air conditioner, but it also catches smaller issues before they can spiral into more serious, costlier repairs. The best way to stay on top of maintenance is by working with a company that offers a dedicated maintenance program. For example, when you join our Ultimate Savings Agreement Plan, we’ll remind you when it’s time to schedule your next tune-up. This is in addition to many other membership perks, such as repair discounts, priority service, no overtime charges and much more.
3. Which type of climate you live in. Overall usage will impact the life of any air conditioner, even those that are consistently maintained. Here in Florida, we use our air conditioners a lot. Let’s say you buy the same air conditioner at the exact same time as someone in Massachusetts. Even if both systems receive the same level of care and maintenance, we’d be willing to bet the one in Massachusetts will last longer. This is because you’ll be using your AC much more frequently than the home in Massachusetts.
4. Your own temperature preferences. We’re going to use the same scenario above. Except this time, instead of someone in Massachusetts, it’s your next-door neighbor. Imagine you have the exact same system in terms of model, age and maintenance upkeep. You set the thermostat to 78 degrees during the day, while your neighbor sets it to 70 degrees. Your AC is likely going to last longer because it’s not being forced to work as hard as your neighbor’s.

Long Live Your Air Conditioner!

There might be a new king across the pond. But at Buehler, our focus is on you and your comfort needs. Whether we’re installing your new system the right way or maintaining it with the utmost care and precision, we are here to ensure your AC has a long, healthy life. Long live your air conditioner!
Should your AC fail at any point this summer, we’re here for you. We hang our hats on prompt AC repair and will advise whether it’s better to repair or replace your unit. No matter what we recommend, you can rest assured we’re always looking out for your best interests. Need more proof? Check out our more than 1,800 reviews and five-star rating on Google!

Schedule service directly by calling Buehler Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

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