With kids going back to school all over Southwest Michigan, we thought now would be an appropriate time to educate homeowners with a quick lesson on HVAC equipment, and the average life expectancy of different kinds of equipment in your home including air conditioner, furnace, and boiler.  We also have some tips for how to maintain these systems to ensure they last for as long as possible.  We love nothing more than coming into a home and seeing a 20 year old air conditioner still running efficiently due to A+ homeowner maintenance over the years!

So how long can you expect your HVAC equipment to last?  Find out below!

Air Conditioner Life Expectancy: 8-12 Years

While we’ve seen air conditioners still functioning well into their 20’s, air conditioning units tend to last between 8 to 12 years typically.  The key to making your air conditioner last as long as possible, as well as ensuring it runs efficiently is having regular check-ups every year.  

Often, HVAC companies run specials in March and April during their slower seasons to receive air conditioning check-ups for significant savings. We ran a $59 worry-free air conditioner check-up this past spring to make it affordable for customers to have a thorough maintenance check-up of their AC unit before they really needed it in preparation for summer heat. It’s always a good idea to have an HVAC professional perform this maintenance to make sure your unit is running as efficiently as possible and allow them to fix any issues at hand right away so it doesn’t turn into a major breakdown later on.

Common signs you may need an AC Replacement:

• You notice your home isn’t staying cool on hot days.
• It smells like smoking or burning (hint: the cold air it exerts shouldn’t smell at all)
• Your air conditioner makes strange noises (again, the sounds from your AC should be undetectable).
• Your AC appears to be leaking with visible moisture present (possible signs of a refrigerant leak).
• Higher than normal energy bills with same level of usage

Furnace Life Expectancy: 15-20 Years

Again, it’s not uncommon for us to see furnaces operating well past 15 years old, especially if they’ve had regular tune-ups once a year. Actually, it’s hard to believe winter is only a couple months away, so we are already starting to provide early furnace check-ups where you can save big with a $59 Back to School Furnace Exam if you book before September 30th (we dare you to find a lower price than that in this area for a check-up). 

You can claim this $59 early bird check-up offer here: https://thebossservices.com/back-to-school-furnace-exams/

Common signs you may need a furnace replacement:

• Frequent repairs are needed
• Increased energy bills with same usage
• Furnace is cycling on and off fairly often
• Problems with humidity 
• Rooms are heated unevenly with some feeling hot and some cold.
• Visible signs of rust and/or corrosion  in or around your furnace
• Furnace is noisier than normal (humming, buzzing, rattling sounds)
• Dust and debris being being expelled from the furnace

If you notice any of these things, it may be time to explore new options.  Looking for the perfect company to call?  Check out our recent blog on how to find the best HVAC company for your replacement goals.

Boiler Life Expectancy: 10-25 Years (Depending on whether it’s a High or Standard Efficiency Model)

If you have a high efficiency boiler, the average lifespan is between 10-15 years, and for a standard efficiency boiler, it’s between 20-25 years. The efficiency is determined by how much fuel you used to heat your home and water.  A high efficiency boiler uses a stainless steel or aluminum heat exchanger, which are most expensive up front, but they can save you up to 30 percent on your energy bills.  A standard boiler has a heat exchanger made of cast iron and is vented through the chimney.  It’s also cheaper than a high efficiency boiler, but it can last longer with regular service every year.

Common signs it’s time to replace your boiler:

• Increased costs in maintaining it.
• Your boiler requires more fuel to run adequately
• Loud noises coming from your boiler
• Your boiler is leaking
• Temperature varies throughout your home

If you are having frequent issues with your boiler, at BOSS Services, we can replace your old water heater in just 1 day easily.  Give us a call for a consultation, and we can have a Comfort Advisor out to your home to provide options.

What Did We Learn in HVAC Equipment 101?

Okay, time for a 2-question quiz:

1. What is the top way you can extend the life of your HVAC equipment?

2. Which of the following are signs you may need to replace your HVAC equipment?:
   1. Higher than normal energy bills with the same usage
   2. Loud noises coming from the equipment
   3. Temperature varying throughout your home
   4. More frequent repairs
   5. All of the Above

If you answered Question 1 with “regular annual maintenance” and Question 2 with “E – All of the above” you get an A+ for knowing how to keep your HVAC equipment in good shape!

BOSS Services available 24/7 for emergency service throughout Southwest Michigan and now the Greater Grand Rapids area with heating, cooling, plumbing, and more home services. So if you should ever have any issues with your HVAC equipment, our HVAC technicians are more than qualified to provide an inspection. We also provide free consultations for replacements if you don’t want an HVAC equipment inspection and know it’s time to replace it.  Give us a call at 269-468-6682 if you need us!