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How long do AC units last?

Central air conditioners typically last 10–15 years, heat pumps 10–16. Where yours falls in that range depends on how hard it works, how it's been looked after, and (for tank water heaters) your water. The best predictor is its age, which is coded in the serial number.

TypeTypical lifeReplacement cost (installed)
Central air conditioner10–15 years$5,300–$10,500
Heat pump10–16 years$5,000–$15,000

How old is yours?

Enter the serial number from the data plate. We'll decode the manufacture date and tell you how much typical life is left, adjusted for your state.

Brand guides: Rheem · Ruud · Goodman · Amana · Daikin · Carrier · Bryant · Payne · ICP · Trane · American Standard · Lennox · York· Where to find the serial number

Where your AC unit is in its life

TypeEarly lifeMid-lifeNearing the endPast typical life
Central air conditionerunder 5 yrs5–8 yrs8–15 yrsover 15 yrs
Heat pumpunder 5 yrs5–8 yrs8–16 yrsover 16 yrs

Stage cut-offs are our own rule of thumb (half and 80% of the low end of the typical range), used to decide when a repair stops being worth it.

What wears AC units out faster

These are estimates. The direction is supported by the sources below, but nobody has measured the size of the effect, so treat them as a rough guide. Our decoder applies them automatically when you pick your state.

Repair or replace?

We compare the repair bill with the cost of a new unit, and get stricter as the unit ages:

StageRepairRepair, but plan to replaceReplace
Early lifeAny repair (check the warranty first)——
Mid-lifeunder 30% of replacement30–50%over 50%
Nearing the endunder 15%15–30%over 30%
Past typical life—under 15%over 15%

Example: a new central air conditioner costs about $7,900 installed (midpoint of $5,300–$10,500). Once it's 8+ years old, a repair over about $2,370 points to replacing.

The 30% and 50% marks are widely used contractor rules; the stricter bands for older units are our own. If a new, more efficient unit would pay for itself in energy savings within half its life, we lean toward replacing.

Typical repair costs

RepairUnitTypical cost
CapacitorAir conditioner$100–$400
ContactorAir conditioner$200–$450
Condenser fan motorAir conditioner$200–$700
Refrigerant leak repair and rechargeAir conditioner$200–$1,600
Condenser coil replacementAir conditioner$900–$2,300
Evaporator coil replacementAir conditioner$600–$4,500
Compressor replacementAir conditioner$800–$2,800
CapacitorHeat pump$100–$400
Defrost control boardHeat pump$150–$700
Reversing valveHeat pump$200–$700
Condenser fan motorHeat pump$200–$700
Refrigerant leak repair and rechargeHeat pump$200–$1,600
Compressor replacementHeat pump$650–$3,500

Published 2026 ranges from national cost guides. Prices vary a lot by region and contractor; get a quote.

FAQ

How long does a central air conditioner last?

Typically 10–15 years, based on industry life-expectancy studies (NAHB and InterNACHI). Your unit's real life depends on how much it runs, maintenance and, for tank water heaters, how hard your water is.

How long does a heat pump last?

Typically 10–16 years, based on industry life-expectancy studies (NAHB and InterNACHI). Your unit's real life depends on how much it runs, maintenance and, for tank water heaters, how hard your water is.

How do I find out how old my AC unit is?

The manufacture date is coded into the serial number on the unit's data plate. Each brand writes it differently. Enter the serial in our decoder to get the date, the age, and how much typical life is left.

Is it worth repairing an old central air conditioner?

Compare the repair with the cost of replacing. Near the end of its typical life (about 8+ years), a repair over about 30% of replacement cost usually isn't worth it. A new central air conditioner typically costs $5,300–$10,500 installed, so that's roughly $2,370.

More guides: How long do water heaters last? · How long do furnaces last?

Sources