How Long Do AC Units Last in Florida and Should You Replace Yours?

By July 24, 2020September 4th, 2020Air Conditioning
how long do ac units last in florida

An air conditioner is a life-saver when it gets hot and muggy outside. That said, they’re workhorses, they consume a lot of energy, and your unit is bound to break down one day.

If you live in Florida, you’re going to go through a few AC units in your lifetime. But how long do AC units last in Florida? We’re going to look at some crucial questions you have to ask about your air conditioner, giving you a little insight into how long you can expect it to last.

Let’s get started.

How Long Do AC Units Last in Florida: A Beginner’s Guide

The thing to remember about your AC unit is that the harder you work it, the faster it will break. Living in Florida means having consistently high temperatures throughout the year. That also means your AC unit is working proportionately hard.

In most cases, the unit isn’t just pumping out cool air at an even rate. It’s actually trying to maintain a steady temperature in your home. That means that it works a lot harder to maintain that temperature when things get hotter and muggier.

So, a rule of thumb is that the harder you work it, the shorter it will last. That said, there are a lot of things you can do to manage the temperature of your home and lighten the load of the AC unit.

That’s a discussion for another day, though.

Maintenance Makes a Big Difference

It’s not as if you should just hook up your unit and run it straight into the grave. If you treat it well over its lifespan, you’ll be rewarded. A new unit is really expensive, far more expensive than a simple tune-up here and there.

A well-maintained unit can last 15 to 20 years in Florida. On the other hand, letting a unit run without any care could mean that it only lives 10 years.

There are a few ways that you can monitor your unit’s need for a check-up.

The first one is just age. It’s not a bad idea to get your unit looked at every few years or so. This is just a precautionary measure to make sure that everything’s working and you have no issues coming.

Second, make note of the humidity in your home. AC units have an evaporator coil that works to take the humidity out of the air before it’s pumped into your home. When that goes, you might have a cool home but the humidity will increase and throw things off.

So, when you notice a jump in your home’s humidity, it’s time for a check-up. Finally, your electricity bill will significantly increase if your machine starts to break down. An old machine uses more energy to get the job done.

If you notice any of the signs above, call a professional to see what’s going on. Regular maintenance can add ten years to the life of your unit.

Need More AC Help?

So, how long do AC units last in Florida? The answer depends on how well you treat it over its life span. The nice thing is, we’re here to help.

If you think your unit could be on its last leg, or just needs a tune-up, contact us for more information on how to move forward.