How Long Do Commercial HVAC Systems Last in 2024
HVAC systems in commercial spaces play a crucial role in maintaining a pleasant indoor environment for businesses and offices. A good cooling and heating system that functions optimally throughout the year is critical for your employees and customers’ comfort.
A question that might naturally come to business owners is “How long do commercial HVAC systems last?”, and the most truthful answer is that it depends on several variables. The lifespan of your commercial AC will be decided by a number of factors, such as the type of AC, the degree of usage, maintenance, and many other variables. Familiarizing yourself with these factors will not only help you plan and prepare in advance for a replacement but also extend the life of your HVAC system.
To get into the details of how long your HVAC system will serve you in 2024, keep reading down below.
Average Life Expectancy — How Long Do Commercial HVAC Systems Last?
The average lifespan of commercial HVAC systems generally falls between 15 to 25 years. But different parts of your HVAC system will also last for different periods.
Mini split ACs can be expected to last for 10-15 years if not more, and furnaces last for about 15-20 years on average with boilers lasting longer at around the 30-year mark. Heat pumps also last for about 20-25 years. Thermostats on the other hand, last for a relatively shorter period, 10 years.
With the advancement of technology, the lifespan of HVAC components has improved a lot compared to what they were a few decades ago. But all things considered, these numbers are only estimates, and your mileage may vary due to the influence of numerous external factors.
4 Factors Affecting Longevity
1. Brand and Quality of Installation
Like any other electronic device, the brand isn’t everything when it comes to your AC. But that doesn’t mean it is entirely inconsequential which one you choose. An HVAC system from a popular and trusted brand will give you better cooling performance, after-sales service, and peace of mind that you chose the best investment. Brands like Lennox, Trane, and Carrier are some of the best in the US and have different selections of products available to suit all needs at many budget ranges. Which system from which brand will be the best for you is something you will have to find out in your thorough research.
But the importance of quality doesn’t just stop at components but also extends to the installation of the AC. If you want your system to last a long time without any problems, then get it installed right the first time. To make sure you don’t end up paying down the road for a poorly done installation job, hire a trusted HVAC company to install your system.
2. Outside Conditions
The weather and environmental conditions around your commercial space will also affect how long your HVAC system will last. A warmer climate will put more stress on your air cooler, while a cold environment will tax your heating unit. In either case, your HVAC system is being overworked, which leads to more wear and tear over time and reduces its life. The best climate for your system’s life is one that is not extremely hot or extremely cold.
3. Regular Maintenance
One factor that will kill your cooling and heating system faster than anything else is the lack of regular maintenance. Consult a professional HVAC company to do a full check-up of your entire system at least once every 6 months, and performance maintenance work including replacing air filters, cleaning air ducts, checking for worn-out parts, etc. A well-maintained system works at maximum efficiency and delivers the best performance. But more importantly, routine inspection helps you identify minor problems with your system and address them before they get the chance to grow into something worse that can ruin the entirety of the system. Regular maintenance is the most straightforward way to add multiple years to your HVAC system’s lifetime.
4. Age of Your Current System
Due to the evolving nature of technology, it is not only getting better all the time but also putting those with older hardware at a disadvantage. That isn’t to say that you need to start worrying if your HVAC system is a few years old. But if its age is near or above 15 years, then suffice to say that it’s not going to work well for much longer. HVAC replacement can seem intimidating, but it’s an investment for the better. Newer HVAC models are significantly more energy efficient than older ones and can save you a ton of money in energy bills.
Signs That It’s Time for a Replacement
When your commercial HVAC system is nearing the end of its lifetime you will start to see signs, and recognizing these signs is important so that you can make preparations and don’t suddenly find yourself with a non-functioning system.
One of the more obvious signs is that individual parts within the system will start to break down more frequently and require repair. It’s certainly worth repairing your AC now and then, but if problems are happening every other week, then it’s time to consider a replacement. Mechanical issues may also make themselves known through strange noises or smells coming from the AC, which is not just a sign of a serious internal problem but one that can be very annoying to put up with as well.
An indication that may not be so easy to detect is the rise in your energy bills. As your HVAC system gets older it also gets less energy efficient, thus wasting extra energy to cool the indoors. This inefficiency will demonstrate itself in the form of increased electricity bills for your commercial building. So, if you have started to notice unnatural energy bills, your AC system might be the reason why.
Conclusion
In 2024, technological advancement continues to produce commercial HVAC systems that are not only more energy efficient and last longer but also give better performance. While it is difficult to exactly pinpoint how long your HVAC system will last, proper maintenance and understanding the factors affecting your system’s longevity will help you maximize its life.