In a house built in the late 1990s, the heating and cooling system and water heater have almost certainly been replaced at least once, and some are on their second or third. Planning a replacement on your own schedule beats an emergency install in the middle of a North Carolina July.
How long these systems last
| System | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | 7 to 15 years |
| Heat pump | 10 to 15 years |
| Furnace | 15 to 25 years |
| Conventional tank water heater | 6 to 12 years |
Source: InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes
Find the age of your equipment
The manufacture date is usually on the data plate of the outdoor unit, the furnace or air handler, and the water heater. Many brands also encode the year in the serial number, and the manufacturer's website can decode it. Write the dates down and keep them with your home records.
Signs a system is near the end
- Rooms that never quite cool down, especially upstairs
- Rising power bills with no change in how you use the system
- Frequent repair calls, or a refrigerant top-off every summer
- Rust, moisture or a puddle around the base of the water heater
- Rumbling or popping from the water heater, or water that runs out of heat quickly
Before you replace
- Get at least three written quotes for the same size and efficiency level.
- Ask for a load calculation instead of simply matching the old unit's size.
- Ask about current utility rebates and any tax incentives that still apply to efficient equipment.
- Compare labor warranties, not just equipment warranties.
- Plan two-story homes as two zones; many homes this size have two systems.
Lifespans are typical ranges for well-maintained homes, not guarantees. Have a licensed professional inspect your home before deciding on a repair or replacement.
Get paid to get quotes
Founding members can book 45-minute meetings with vetted local vendors and get paid $200 to $300 per meeting, with no obligation to buy. When several neighbors need the same job, we negotiate one group rate.