Temperatures in Arizona range from 90 degrees to 120 degrees, and they last from May until September. Needless to say, the air conditioner is very important to Arizonans, and they need it to last. That’s why so many people wonder how long HVAC systems last in Arizona.
How Long Do HVAC Systems Last in Arizona?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air conditioners last 15 to 20 years. But in Arizona, air conditioners generally last 10 to 14 years. This is a shorter time than they last in other states because of the intense heat that is typical of much of the state’s desert climate.
What Shortens the Lifespan of an Air Conditioner?
The last thing that you would want to do is shorten your air conditioner’s lifespan, but that is what will happen if you do the following:
Failing to Fix Leaky Ductwork
If your ductwork is faulty, your air conditioner cannot work at its optimal level. Leaks also can shorten the time that your air conditioner can work for you. Your ductwork may be leaking if you are seeing a large amount of dust entering your home from your vents or if your energy bills are slowly increasing. If you suspect a leak, the best thing to do is contact A/C Doctors so that our expert technicians can inspect your air conditioning system. Our technicians know what to look for, and they will find the problem if it exists right away.
Failing to Start Slowly
The first day that you turn your air conditioner on, you must act in moderation. At the beginning of the warmer months, you have to give your air conditioner plenty of time to cool your home. Therefore, you must set your thermostat at a higher temperature at first so that it does not have to work too hard to lower the home’s temperature. Remember that the air conditioner has been off for the past several months. It needs time to begin cooling your home sufficiently after its long break.
Failing to Clean the System
In addition to having your ducts cleaned and changing the filters, you also must clean the outside of the air conditioner to prolong its lifespan and increase its overall productivity. As the air conditioning system is outside, it is in the path of falling leaves and other debris that can clog the unit so that it cannot work as it is supposed to work. The clogs also do not allow the heat to escape from the unit. If vines grow on the unit, they can keep even more heat from escaping.
Failing to Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Unit
An energy-efficient unit does two things for you. First, an energy-efficient unit lowers your electric bills. Second, an energy-efficient unit lasts longer so that you do not have to purchase another one so soon. Industry experts say that upgrading to an energy-efficient air conditioner will cause you to save as much as $576 every year on your electric bills. Energy-efficient air conditioners also purify the air in your home, so you are a winner either way.
Inadequate Insulation
If your insulation is inadequate, the cool air that your air conditioner creates can escape. This causes the air conditioner to work harder to cool your home, and it will eventually cause your air conditioner to break down. If your home is properly insulated, the cool air that your air conditioner creates will remain inside your home. You will recognize poor insulation if the rooms in your home have significantly different temperatures or if there are cold drafts or warm drafts throughout the house. Inadequate insulation also leads to higher energy bills.
The Wrong Size
The size of your air conditioner relates to how well it removes heat and replaces it with cooler air. If an air conditioner is the right size for your space, it can remove heat in the most efficient manner. You may have an air conditioner that is too large or too small for your home. This is another way to shorten the air conditioner’s lifespan.
For example, air conditioners that are too large cool your home too fast. This isn’t good for your air conditioner because, when it cools your house too quickly, it is forced to turn itself on and off too many times. This means that the system is working harder than it needs to, and it shortens the system’s lifespan. If the air conditioner is too small, it will have a hard time cooling your house. On especially warm days, it will run constantly, and this reduces your air conditioner’s lifespan.
You may notice that there are warm spots and cold spots in your home if your air conditioner is the wrong size. If it is turning on and turning off without stopping, it may also mean that the air conditioner is the wrong size. If you notice any of the aforementioned signs, give us a call at A/C Doctors. Our technicians will ensure that you have the correct size air conditioner.
Turning the Temperature Down
By turning the temperature lower and lower, you could be damaging your air conditioner. If you turn your thermostat down too low, this will be the reason that the air conditioner does not last as long. For example, it may be 90 degrees outside. If you turn your air conditioner down to 65 degrees, the unit will not be able to catch up. If it manages to do so, it will only shut off. Manufacturers advise people to set their thermostats 20 degrees lower than the temperature outside.
Annual Maintenance
If you want to do everything you can to make sure that your HVAC system lasts as long as it can, scheduling annual maintenance with certified technicians is the way to go. Maintaining your HVAC system regularly ensures that it will perform for you most efficiently. Efficiency is the key to making an HVAC system last longer.
The lack of efficiency leads to serious problems with an HVAC system. If just one part isn’t working as it should, the entire unit must work harder to make up for it. When this occurs, the overall efficiency of the unit suffers. This leads the individual parts of the system to wear out sooner than they ordinarily would. Then, the system breaks down sooner. The purpose of a maintenance appointment is for our technician to clean and inspect your A/C unit. If the technician finds anything wrong, he will repair it so that your system can continue keeping you and your home cool.
Along with services for central air conditioning as well as mini-split systems, A/C Doctors also services and repairs your heating system. We can also help with indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and swamp coolers. Call A/C Doctors if you reside in Gilbert and the surrounding areas so that our technicians can address the issues and concerns you have today.
