I think our HVAC unit is original to the house (1984). It’s been relatively problem free for the 10 years we’ve been here. What is typical lifespan on these things? It’s an AC and a heat pump. I’m not wild about the heat pump and would prefer a gas furnace but I don’t think our 1” line will support it and the stove and the tankless water heater.

Replace. Even if not dead, you could be saving money with the far more efficient units these days.

I’d stay with heat pump, as I have, but I also have a furnace when outside temps get below 40.

In my opinion if that is original you got a great run on it. It was sized and installed by a true professional without question.
Maybe have a good local dealer/installer come and check it out and evaluate it.

Is there a way I can find out it’s age for sure?

Personally, service and repair your existing unit as required and keep it. Ask any HVAC guy worth his salt and he'll tell you the new "high efficiency" machines are junk. The 'only' positive about my high seer dual speed compressor heat pump was the extended warranty. An boy have I had to use it.

My old house was built in 1954. I Replaced the furnace in 1996 although it was still running. I figured 40 something years was enough out of that unit.

My furnace was installed in 1967 and is still hauling the mail. No A/C.

I have direct knowledge of this because


I just spent $12,000 to replace my lower zone HVAC TODAY


Things I learned in this process

The life of the average HVAC system is 8-12 years. The quality of the brand generally determines if it is 8 or 12.

My house was built in 2006, so my unit was 12 years old.

Other things I learned:

Regulations and ordinances change frequently. My gas line was not properly bonded, so in order for the installers to do the job an electrician had to bind it.

Apparently the type of Freon used most commonly in houses built in my timeframe and early will no longer be available or legal after next year. You don’t have get rid of your machine thst uses it, but if for some reason your unit leaks and loses Freon, you won’t be able to purchase or find am

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Personally, service and repair your existing unit as required and keep it. Ask any HVAC guy worth his salt and he'll tell you the new "high efficiency" machines are junk. The 'only' positive about my high seer dual speed compressor heat pump was the extended warranty. An boy have I had to use it.

My guy steered me away from a variable setup when it was time to replace. KISS.

Life span, 18-20 Yrs.

Age of equipment, post make, model and serial numbers.

Everything is junk, until its properly sized, installed and set-up to operate with-in the manufacturer's specifications.
Quality of the installer is more important than the name plate on the equipment.

The scare of 22 being illegal after next year is a myth.
Basically the production stops in 2020 (for new equipment) and 2030 (for service), but can be used to service existing equipment, until the supply dries up.
There's also many replacement refrigerants which can be used with existing 22 equipment.
In other words, the sky isn't falling.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=...aGg6jNZw_hRBK7hsHRRH

Are you having problems with it?

Our downstairs unit was around 15 years old when it gave up on us. Our upstairs is almost 20. I do have a window unit in the upstairs spare bedroom to help take some of the load from the main unit though. It used to run pretty much non-stop during the summer but now that it has got some help it shuts off even during the day. Hopefully I can get another year out of it since I plan on selling next year.

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
...but I don’t think our 1” line will support it and the stove and the tankless water heater.

I have a 1" natural gas line coming into my house. I have 2 furnaces, 4 direct vent heaters and a 199k BTU tankless water heater. Ask a pro and they can tell you if your line will support it.

My furnace box was small holes that rusted through and I replaced the entire HVAC last year. It was original and 21 years old. The newer models are so much more efficient and I see that on my bills.

I’ll certainly discuss options with **several** pros and feel it out. First thing is first, though. The roof is done and has been done for several years.

I am interested in at least going “dual zone” with the HVAC. If the unit is on and running in the summer the downstairs will get nice and chilly. The upstairs may get bearable, but never comfortable to me. I’m also intrigued by the split systems where every room has their own system. I think that would be the bees knees, especially if the whole system was networked, programmable, and accessible via an app. I assume those are considerably more expensive, though.

Assuming the entire installation on the unit is proper, lifespan really depends on the area you live in. Hotter climates like South Florida, Texas etc. where the unit runs mostly year round, they tend to last less from what I've seen. You can still get R22 but it's expensive....most outfits are charging $65 a pound for it here. I won't do a major fix on a R22 unit personally (compresser, air handler etc.)

Here in South Florida, if you're within 1/4 mile or so of the beach a unit usually lasts 8 years, 10 is max. Average life further inland from what I've seen is 12 years.......maybe 14 generally. Some brands are better than others. Rheems are total garbage when installed near the ocean etc. Trane's and American Standards tend to do better overall from what I've seen and that's what I install in all of my properties.

I've usually had about 20 years but each time I've replaced one there was a noticeable difference in my power bill due to the increased efficiency.

The house we bought this past November has a Trane XL1200, vintage 1988(!) I'm hoping to make it through one more typically brutally hot and humid PA summer without it conking out for good before we get our new Lennox HVAC system put in which may not be until late summer/fall.

quote:

Originally posted by Kevbo:
I have direct knowledge of this because


I just spent $12,000 to replace my lower zone HVAC TODAY


Things I learned in this process

The life of the average HVAC system is 8-12 years. The quality of the brand generally determines if it is 8 or 12.

My house was built in 2006, so my unit was 12 years old.

Other things I learned:

Regulations and ordinances change frequently. My gas line was not properly bonded, so in order for the installers to do the job an electrician had to bind it.

You're right as far as new builds are concerned. I just don't know where the cut-off year is where manufacturers severely restricted the life of systems.

There's HVAC systems in houses built just after WW2 in San Francisco still working. My parent's refrigerator was still working after 35 years without repair.

quote:

Originally posted by Kevbo:


The life of the average HVAC system is 8-12 years.

Damn, I sure hope not. I was thinking I wouldn't have to worry about my new system for 15-20 years?

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:

quote:

Originally posted by thumperfbc:
...but I don’t think our 1” line will support it and the stove and the tankless water heater.

I have a 1" natural gas line coming into my house. I have 2 furnaces, 4 direct vent heaters and a 199k BTU tankless water heater. Ask a pro and they can tell you if your line will support it.

It should be able to handle it no problem, you may need a split pressure system. 2psi to the gas hogs and standard pressure to oven. You can get a lot out of 1" @ 2PSI.