All About Central Air Conditioners

Homeowners often wonder, "how long do air conditioners last?" The average life expectancy for a central air conditioner is between 15 and 20 years. With regular maintenance and tune-ups, some central air conditioners can last up to 25 years. It’s important to keep in mind that the life expectancy of a central air conditioner can be affected by a variety of factors, such as how well it is maintained, the number of times it is used per year, and the quality of the air filter.

Central air conditioners work by transferring heat from the inside of your home to the outside. The system consists of an indoor unit, which is typically a furnace or air handler, and an outdoor unit, which is the condenser. The air handler pulls in air from your home and passes it over the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil absorbs the heat from the air and transfers it to the refrigerant in the coil. The refrigerant is then pumped to the outdoor unit, where the heat is released outside.

The cost of a new central AC system can vary widely, depending on the size of the unit, the type of unit, and the features included with the unit. On average, a basic, single-zone system will cost between $4,000 and $6,000, while a more advanced system with multiple zones can cost up to $15,000 or more. When purchasing a central air conditioning system, it’s important to consider the size of your home and the level of comfort you’d like to achieve.