Hi! In full disclosure, we may earn money from companies (like Amazon) mentioned in this post if you make a purchase through our links. Thanks in advance for the support!
If you are considering a ductless mini split air conditioner, you may be wondering exactly how long can you expect them to las? This is one of the major concerns of people living in areas where summers are extremely hot and long. Surely you don’t want to sweat to death on the hot summer day just because your air conditioner is not working properly.
And we completely understand that. But don’t worry after reading this article you will have the answers you need when it comes to the lifespan of a ductless air conditioner.
So, how long do ductless air conditioners last? Like any mechanical system the life of a mini-split ductless air conditioner will vary depending on multiple factors, but a well-maintained system could last about 20 years, which is longer than the 12-15 years expected from a traditional system.
Mini-split ductless air conditioners offer a lot of other advantages other than a longer lifespan. But here, the question should be what to do to ensure that your mini-split air conditioner will last as long as possible.
Well, there is a number of factors that affect the lifespan of an air conditioner. Factors like, how you use the air conditioner, define how long it will last. But like anything else proper care will always extend the life-time of a major system.
CALL FOR QUOTE: 1.855.920.1857
In the remainder of this article, we will look at what it takes to get the most out of your ductless AC system.
What factors contribute to the lifespan of the ductless mini-split AC unit?
There are many things which contribute to the better lifespan of air conditioners but the following are the which are very necessary:
- Cleaning the filter
- Getting professional services once a summer
- Ensuring that the heat pump is clean
Some people don’t bother to check if the filter and heat pump are clean or not. This may not seem as important to any of us but believe me, here, it can cost you a lot of damage. And whenever you start using your air conditioner in summers, make sure to call the professionals for the service. They take care of everything from the filter to the heat pump and other necessary things. Now if you are wondering why it is so important to clean the filter and heat pump. Let me clear that up for you.
CALL FOR QUOTE: 1.855.920.1857
Taking care of Heat Pump
A heat pump is an outdoor unit. Seventy percent of the problems occur in the heat pump just because it is kept outdoors, so it has to deal with a lot of dust. Sometimes birds find it as the best shelter, and we find nests in it. So, make sure that the outdoor unit is clean and doing its job.
Cleaning Air Filter
Cleaning the air filter is so easy that you can do it with almost no effort. Fortunately, most of the air filters in air conditioners are reusable. You only need to take it out, wipe it carefully, and then put it back in. It is important to clean the air filter twice a month and if you couldn’t find enough time then we’ll recommend cleaning it at least once a month.
What advantages do ductless air conditioners have over others?
We know that ductless air conditioners have a long lifetime. But there are many other advantages which we can enjoy with the ductless air conditioners:
Fast Installation and Minimum Maintenance
These air conditioners are easy to install as one unit takes no more than an hour to install and the same goes for the maintenance. As discussed earlier, you need the professionals only once a year or hardly twice a year for the maintenance.
Quiet Cooling Process
Ductless air conditioners work so quietly that you don’t even notice it. Just to get an idea, we can compare its noise with the noise created by the hands of the clock. Now you know how quiet it is!
Energy-Efficient Systems
With the passage of time, we see that ductless air conditioners are becoming more and more energy sufficient that now they consume energy just like other appliances at your home.
Cost-Efficient
There was a time when air conditioners were considered so expensive because they used electricity in huge amounts but now, we see that with the advanced technology, they use minimum electricity so that you do not have to worry about the electricity bill. Moreover, you can switch off the units in rooms where no one is using them rather than to continue to cool the whole house.
Easy and Personalized control
Mini ductless air conditioners made it easier for us to keep the temperature of our choice. With the different units installed in each room, everyone can set the temperature of the room to his own choice. While in the central cooling system people often face problems of cooling less than or more than their need.
CALL FOR QUOTE: 1.855.920.1857
What type of maintenance should you do to prolong the life span of your AC unit?
The proper maintenance and care of things always help to increase their life and efficiency of work. Same is the case with ductless air conditioners. There are some maintenance tips which will enhance the life of it.
General Cleaning
If the body of AC (outdoor or indoor) have constant exposure to dust and open environment, dust particles will be collected over the body. After some time, those particles will find their way in to the internal components and cause some serious.
All you need to ensure that the parts of the air conditioner (outdoor and indoor) are cleaned. This step doesn’t seem so important but in actual, these small steps will greatly affect the performance and life span of AC unit.
Cleaning of internal components like Coil, Condenser & Pipes
Outdoor unit and other hardware components should also be taken care of. Because this portion is essential to the continued operation of your system, you want to make sure that you regularly maintain the condenser and coils. Outdoor dirt can quickly collect on this part of your unit, preventing it from working.
The pipes are essential in emitting the cold or heat into the surroundings, and they are the pathways between the outside and inside components of the machine. These are the few problems that can cause stops your ductless air conditioner from working. Additionally, pipes can develop leaks, which prevent proper functioning. You will want to take a look at these pipes every so often to ensure they are clear.
How does the AC unit’s usage (running time) affect the longevity of the unit?
Starting with the quality of system, we will find that there are many factors that can either help to prolong the life of AC or cut it off. The mechanical parts in the system face various kind of wear & tear in the system while performing their functions.
After some period, different components get highly integrated with each other and provides maximum efficiency. But after long working period, they also need some maintenance and service, which may include of repairing or replacement.
The basic rule to enhance life is just maintenance. If AC has good build quality and efficient components installed in it, then without normal maintenance would be enough for it to work efficiently. Furthermore, when a significant issue introduces itself, the choice to fix or replace the Air Conditioning system.
All these factors play important role in the life span of unit. If running time of your air conditioner is increasing but haven’t maintained properly, then it will definitely cause problem and its life will reduce significantly. An air conditioner that is used more than average will naturally experience a greater amount of wear and tear compared to a unit that is used more moderately and it will need more care and frequent service than the other one.
We cannot define the age of air conditioner by some expect number. Generally, air conditioners are expected to have life span of around 25 years. However, the life and performance of air conditioning system depends and fluctuate significantly for various reasons.
CALL FOR QUOTE: 1.855.920.1857
Do different brands have different unit lifespans?
This is the most asked question as people opt for different brands to save the budget. And mostly it is seen that we fall prey to online ads offering great quality at very low price.
Well, if a company is offering something at expensive rate than the other company than definitely there is difference. The material used in the manufacture definitely differ with the price of the air conditioner. And those air conditioners having high price has better material if not best. Most of the price is also for the other features like controlling air conditioner through your cellphone etc.
According to our observation, you must go for the best material if you are worried about the lifespan. Because of the better the material, the better the lifespan.
Do warranties cover the unit’s entire expected lifetime?
Warranties can be tricky sometimes. A product having a lifetime warranty does not mean that it is available for the whole life of the customer, buyer or product itself. It may sound funny but it’s the truth that a lifetime warranty is for a three to five years warranty or to seven years maximum according to the company’s policy. So, whenever you hear a lifetime warranty, you should ask for the years it covers just to be sure.
There are mainly two types of warranties to consider:
- Full Warranty
Full warranty simply means that the faulty product in your air conditioner will be replaced by a new product.
- Limited Warranty
A limited warranty means that the faulty product will be repaired and not replaced with a new one.
