If you keep putting off HVAC maintenance, how long will it be before a furnace or air conditioner fails? It’s hard to predict the exact time frame, but you can probably count on one thing: It will happen at the most inconvenient and uncomfortable time; probably during a frigid cold snap or a sweltering heat wave, when the system’s under maximum stress.
Proper HVAC maintenance not only supports reliability, it also impacts energy efficiency, which in turn is directly related to lower monthly operating costs. Another factor is the warranty. The terms of most HVAC warranties specifically require a record of annual professional HVAC maintenance in order to keep the warranty in force.
Furnace Life Expectancy
Assuming proper annual preventative maintenance, a gas-fired central furnace can be expected to last between 15 and 30 years. To reach that life span, any needed repairs along the way should be handled only by certified HVAC technicians. Many experts point out that while a 30-year-old furnace may be still functional, technology in the unit has likely been surpassed by newer models that provide improved energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and more options. Therefore, replacing the furnace earlier in its life span may be a better choice.
AC Life Expectancy
Central air conditioners can generally be expected to provide dependable cooling for anywhere between 12 and 17 years, depending on the specific brand. Factors that impact this estimate include manufacturer-recommended annual maintenance, as well as variables like local climate and daily hours of operation. Studies show that without professional maintenance, an air conditioner may fail in as little as five years, requiring expensive repair or replacement of costly system components. In the event proper annual maintenance has been neglected, the warranty is void and all costs shift to the owner.
Wondering just how long your air conditioner or furnace might last without professional preventative HVAC maintenance? Don’t find out the hard way! Contact the service pros at Paitson Bros., your Wabash Valley source for trusted HVAC sales and service for the past century.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922