How Long Does An HVAC System Last?
An HVAC system is a major investment that can be the key to making your home comfortable or giving you a massive headache over repairs. That’s why it is important to know about when parts of your system are due for replacement.

Estimated Lifespans
There are many caveats when it comes to estimating how long parts of your HVAC systems will last, but as rules of thumb you can expect the following:
- 10-15 years for heat pumps
- 10-15 years for central air conditioning
- 10-15 years for oil furnaces
- 12-15 years for traditional tank water heaters
- 15-20 years for most furnaces
- 15-30 years for a tankless water heater
Split-level and plug-in heating and cooling units have even more variable lifespans depending upon usage and brand, but you can generally expect to have them for a decade before needing a replacement.
How to Improve HVAC Longevity
The best way to prevent sudden disasters and total failures in your HVAC system is to conduct annual checkups. You don’t even need to have a professional run diagnostics, since anybody can check for basic signs of damage. These include odd sounds, leaks, decreases in power, or increases in the utilities bill.
Making sure you change your filters is important for both your HVAC system’s health and your personal wellbeing. This applies to your air conditioning, but it can also apply to conditioning your water. Treating your water so that it isn’t too alkaline or saline can greatly benefit your HVAC system.
If you want any help maintaining or replacing your HVAC system, call 623-853-1482 to get in touch with A Quality. We’ve been helping keep Phoenix and Goodyear homes comfortable for decades!