In choosing what air conditioner brand to use, one of the most common concerns of many buyers is the longevity of the unit. And if you're planning to buy a York air conditioner, it is natural to ask, how long do these air conditioners last? Here's what we discovered after doing some research.
York air conditioners usually last between 15 to 25 years, as many air conditioners do. But if you're in a coastal area, your air conditioner's lifespan can be shorter. An air conditioner's lifespan varies depending on several factors.
Keep reading as we delve into what factors affect the life span of an air conditioner, what the advantages and disadvantages of using York air conditioners are, and why you may want to choose a York AC unit. We'll also look into when to know if your AC needs to be replaced and more.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using York Air Conditioners?
York is one of the world's largest heating and cooling providers, with high-quality solutions for heating and cooling a house or business, as well as enhancing air quality.
York manufactures a wide range of heating and cooling systems such as air conditioners, heat pumps, and multi-split systems. They also have quiet drive air conditioners and variable refrigerant flow systems.
Rather than specializing in one or two items, the company takes technology from one product and applies it to a wide range of others.
While York has a strong reputation, as with all brands, its air conditioners have pros and cons.
Pros
- Energy efficient with its three compressor levels, namely:
- Variable-capacity compressors
- Two-stage compressors
- Single-stage compressors
- Provides comfort through temperature balance
- Humidity management
- Noise management
Cons
- Its industry quality is average
- Microchannel coils are prone to damage since they are very smaller
- Some AC unit models in the market are very basic
What Sets York Apart From Other AC Brands?
York air conditioners are akin to those made by other brands in general. But there are a few noteworthy features that they offer and these are:
1. ClimaSet
This feature carefully tailors the system to the indoor and outdoor climate, making the overall efficiency increase and improving comfort.
2. ECM Condensing Unit Fan Motors
ECM (electronically commutated motor) fan motors are more silent, more energy-efficient, and may run at various speeds depending on the cooling stage.
3. Microchannel Coils
This unique feature has two major advantages: efficiency and space savings.
For starters, there are more of them since the refrigerant goes through narrower channels. As a result, there is more surface area available for heat transfer, resulting in faster and more efficient cooling.
Second, the entire coil is tinier, resulting in a smaller footprint for the device.
How Long Is The Warranty Of York Air Conditioners?
York's standard warranty typically includes a 10-year limited components warranty. York is one of the few companies that provides a one-year limited labor warranty on all of its products.
But you must register your York air conditioner within 90 days of installation to be eligible for the full warranty.
Although the warranty limit generally includes almost all of York's products, make sure to double-check the warranty of your chosen AC model with your supplier.
What Are The Factors Affecting An Air Conditioner's Life?
Generally, an air conditioner's lifespan ranges from 15 to 25 years. However, there are still some factors that can make your AC deteriorate and shorten its life.
- Manufacturing of the product.
- Low-quality AC parts/components.
- Low-quality installation of the unit.
- Location of your home.
- Climate in the area.
- Inadequate maintenance.
- Restriction of airflow.
- AC is oversized or undersized.
- Continuous AC operation.
- Improper usage.
The most damaging of these is inadequate maintenance and oversizing. Oversizing can induce frequent on-and-off cycling, resulting in compressor or fan motor failure, while a lack of maintenance can result in rapid component wear and a substantially shorter life duration.
Why Does The Location And Climate Affect An Air Conditioner's Longevity?
A seaside condenser will not last as long as one located inland. This is because saltwater generates extra moisture and sodium chloride in the air, which can collect inside your HVAC unit and cause it to break down or perform poorly.
Relatively, the local climate dictates how hard and low the air conditioner must work to bring the house temperature down. The duty of the air conditioner is reduced when the temperature is moderate. In hot weather, the air conditioner has to work extra hard to keep the house cool.
Second, how many times you use the air conditioner each year is determined by the length of the hot season. The more you use the air conditioner, the more it wears down. The lifespan of your air conditioner is reduced during a very hot and long summer.
When Should You Change Your Air Conditioner?
When you realize your cooling system is performing less efficiently than before, or your temperature is not correctly regulating, it's time to think of replacing your air conditioner.
But there are still some factors to consider before you decide to replace your air conditioner.
What Are The Things To Be Considered Before Replacing Your Air Conditioner?
Here are some questions that need to be answered before you decide to replace your AC unit:
- What is the age of your current system?
- Is the repair more expensive than the unit replacement cost?
- How well-maintained is your AC unit?
- How efficient is your current unit?
- Do you still use Freon to run your air conditioner?
- Is your current setup compatible?
- Is your current system able to meet your home's comfort requirements?
- Does a new technology fit good for you?
- What are the incentives you can take advantage of when you buy a new unit?
- How long do you intend to stay in your current residence?
In addition, you should also look out for these signs to know that you need to replace your current air conditioner:
- You are not receiving any cold air.
- The airflow of your AC isn't very good.
- Moisture and leaking have been detected around the unit.
- You're hearing strange sounds from your AC that you've never heard before.
- Some areas in your room aren't cooled.
- You've had your AC unit for at least ten years.
- Your air conditioner fails frequently and needs to be repaired more than usual.
How To Properly Maintain An Air Conditioner?
Even if you're new to air conditioning, there are several simple and inexpensive ways to keep your system in good working order. Continue reading to learn some easy tips to keep your air conditioner in good working order.
- The best thing you can do to keep your air conditioner in good shape is to change the air filter regularly.
- Keep the coils clean to avoid putting undue strain on your air conditioner. You can accomplish this in a variety of ways, but it is recommended to clean the space around the condenser unit of any debris first.
- Check the fins of your air conditioner regularly to make sure they haven't bent and are still performing properly. If you discover your fins are bending, you can use a fin comb to fix the problem or hire a professional air conditioning technician.
- Check if the condensate drain is draining water properly regularly to keep your air conditioner in good working order. If you notice the water isn't draining properly, unclog any obstructions using a vacuum.
- Make an appointment for professional maintenance periodically.
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Why Don't Modern Air Conditioners Use Freon?
Freon is known for its effectiveness at cooling, but these days you won't see freon air conditioners on the market.
The refrigerant known as R22, HCFC-22, or Freon was formally phased out in 2020. As a result, both manufacturing and import of R-22 are forbidden in the United States, making R-22 extremely scarce and expensive.
All hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are classified as "Class II" ozone-depleting substances (ODS) with an ozone depletion potential of less than 0.2.
Refrigeration, HVAC, insulations, fire suppression, solvents, and aerosols were all applications where HCFCs were used.
The issue is that many older air conditioners continue to use this antiquated refrigerant. Only recycled R22 can be used to recharge an old R22 system if it develops a refrigerant leak.
In Closing
Even though air conditioners have generally long lifespans, many homeowners opt to replace their HVAC system sooner. Because as the system matures, it will become less dependable and efficient, resulting in higher maintenance and utility expenditures.
In addition, the monthly energy savings from upgrading to a newer, more efficient model can frequently justify the initial cost once a system is old, especially if the present system is unreliable or has major damage.
Now you know more about York as a brand and the longevity of their air conditioners. We've also seen how factors beyond the manufacturer can affect how long your AC unit lasts and more.
York isn't the only great brand in air conditioning. To learn about the reliability of other brands too, be sure to check out our articles: