How Old Is Your HVAC System? 

Why It Matters and How to Find Out

By James K Kim:

Do you know how to determine the age of your home’s central heating and air conditioning system? 

If you feel your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is nearing the potential end of its operating lifespan, knowing its age can help you make a timely and informed decision on whether you should repair or replace it. 

How long does an HVAC system usually last?

The Northeast climate can feature subfreezing temperatures in the winter, scorching hot humid days in the summer, and everything else in between. 

Because of this seasonal variation, the average functional lifespan of an HVAC system is about 10 to 15 years. However, there are a few additional factors impacting this number. 

For example, HVAC systems that are seasonally maintained by a professional HVAC technician (usually once in the spring for air conditioning and again in the fall for heating) are more likely to exceed the typical average lifespan for HVAC equipment. 

Another factor that impacts the expected lifespan for HVAC equipment is the quality of the installation. Considerations related to airflow, capacity, and refrigerant charges can enhance (or decrease) system performance…and ultimately its lifespan. 

For example, an undersized or poorly installed HVAC system may need to run more frequently or longer to reach the set temperature on the thermostat. 

Why is it so important to know the age of your HVAC system?

In addition to satisfying one’s curiosity, it’s also essential to know the age of your HVAC system for a few important reasons. 

Planning your budget

If you already know that your HVAC system will need to be replaced sooner rather than later, you will be better prepared to set aside a portion of finances for the significant investment ahead of time. 

The last thing anyone wants is to face a sizeable and critical home repair expense that catches them by surprise. 

Repair vs Replace?

If your HVAC system is down, you may be faced with the big decision:

1. Repair it in hopes of squeezing out a bit more life from it
2. Replace the entire HVAC system and start fresh with a new warranty plus peace of mind for several years to come

When you know how old your HVAC system is and its life expectancy, then you are better prepared to make an informed economically sound decision on repairing vs replacing your system. 

Plus, depending on your system’s age, certain parts and repairs may still be covered under the original warranty as well, helping you save money while getting your HVAC system back up and running to restore comfortable indoor temperatures. 

Save on energy bills

Older HVAC equipment is not built with the same advanced technical components as today’s modern systems. As a result, older equipment is less energy efficient and will consume more energy to produce less heating and/or cooling. 

On top of this, aging equipment will simply no longer perform optimally, which further widens this gap in energy efficiency. 

If you are seeing your energy bills continue to climb each month, then knowing the age of your HVAC system can help influence your decision on upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient system sooner. 

What are the signs of an old HVAC system that should be replaced?

There are several telltale signs that indicate your HVAC system is old and needs to be replaced:

Frequently scheduled repairs 

If your system requires multiple service technician visits to address various issues requiring costly repairs within a relatively short period of time, then this may be an indicator that the equipment is near or at its end of life. 

Why continue throwing good money after bad and continue to put up with headaches and uncomfortable (and potentially unsafe) indoor temperature conditions? 

It makes more sense financially in the long run to replace the HVAC system and end the vicious (and costly) cycle of repairs.

Poor airflow and/or air quality

An aged air conditioning or heating system can lose the ability to effectively cool or heat your home. 

Years of seasonal wear and tear on mechanical moving parts can lead to misfires, leaks, and overall poor system performance. 

You may experience significantly uneven indoor temperatures between rooms. Plus, your energy utility bills will climb as the HVAC system requires more run time to reach set temperatures on the thermostat. 

Also, if you detect higher accumulations of dust or increased humidity levels, it may be due to the equipment age and its inability to effectively filter or dehumidify the air. 

As a result, the indoor air quality will suffer, leading to an increase in allergic symptoms and sickness and other unpleasant side effects. 

Leaking 

By nature, all air conditioning systems as well as certain high efficiency heating systems produce condensate during operation. 

However, excessive water around the AC or heater can indicate an issue with the system. As systems age, they may develop clogged condensate drains or AC refrigerant leaks. 

Strange noises 

If you’re hearing banging or rattling noises when your HVAC system is on, this may indicate a mechanical issue such as a loosened or worn-down part inside the unit. 

These noises are a sign that the equipment requires immediate attention from a qualified HVAC service technician to prevent more significant damage.

Frequent ON and OFF cycling 

If your HVAC equipment is turning ON and OFF more frequently than normal, then it could be struggling to maintain the desired set temperature on your thermostat. 

This is known as “short cycling” and as a result, important mechanical components such as the motor, compressor, and other key parts wear out faster.

How to find your HVAC system’s age

Finding out the age of your HVAC system is relatively simple if you know where to look: 

Look for the equipment nameplate tag

Every piece of HVAC equipment is equipped with a nameplate tag, which is typically metal or a printed sticker with information including the equipment model number, serial number, and other information. 

Certain manufacturers will also include the equipment manufactured date on this nameplate as well. 

If there is no manufactured date listed on the nameplate, you can try looking up the serial number online. 

An incredibly useful online resource to find HVAC equipment age using the equipment serial number is The Building Intelligence website.

Look up the equipment installation date

You can also get the equipment age by doublechecking any documentation on hand that lists its original installation date. 

If you do not have this paperwork, you can try reaching out to the original company that installed the equipment, who should have your HVAC project on file.

A reputable HVAC contractor company like Cottam Heating and Air Conditioning will only install brand new HVAC equipment. 

This means that the equipment was likely manufactured within about a year (or less) from the installation date. 

Call The HVAC Pros at Cottam

Knowing the age of your heating and air conditioning equipment will help you better prepare for the inevitable day when simply repairing it is no longer an option, and you will need to replace the entire system. 

Westchester County home and business owners can contact Cottam Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate for a new HVAC system replacement.