I hear you on the “beasts” part—those old HVACs are tanks. But honestly, after 20 years, you’re probably skating on thin ice, luck-wise. Have you noticed any weird noises, uneven temps, or sudden spikes in your bills? That’s usually how mine started giving up the ghost.
I get the hesitation, though. Swapping out an old unit isn’t exactly cheap or fun. But when I replaced mine (it was about 18 years old at the time), my electric bill dropped by nearly a third, no joke. Plus, newer models are way quieter and some even let you control them from your phone, which is kinda wild if you’re into that stuff.
One thing I’d ask: have you had anyone do a load calculation recently? Sometimes the original system was oversized or undersized, and that can make a big difference in both comfort and efficiency. Also, if you’re thinking about sticking with it a bit longer, maybe at least get a tune-up and ask about refrigerant levels—older units often use stuff that’s getting phased out, and topping it off can get pricey.
Curious what kind of climate you’re in, too. If you’re somewhere with mild winters and summers, maybe you can squeeze a few more years out of it. But if your area’s got wild temperature swings, I’d start budgeting for a new one sooner rather than later.
Ever looked into ductless mini-splits or heat pumps as an alternative? They’re not for everyone, but if you’re already considering an upgrade, might be worth checking out.
- 20 years? That’s like the HVAC equivalent of a classic car—impressive, but you’re probably running on borrowed time. I’ve flipped a few places with units that old and, honestly, it’s always a gamble. Sometimes they purr along, sometimes they die spectacularly in the middle of a July heatwave (ask me how I know...).
- If you’re not hearing any banshee wails or getting weird hot/cold spots, you might squeeze out another season or two. But yeah, those old units are energy hogs. I swapped one out last year and the drop in my utility bill was almost enough to make me forgive the install cost. Almost.
- Load calculation is a biggie. I’ve seen so many houses with units that are way too big or small. Makes a huge difference in comfort and how long the thing lasts. If you haven’t had someone check that, it’s worth it—especially if you’re thinking about a replacement.
- The refrigerant thing is real. Some of the old stuff is basically liquid gold now, and if you spring a leak, it’s not cheap to fix. Had a unit that needed a top-off and the tech looked at me like I’d asked for dinosaur bones.
- Climate matters. I’m in the Midwest, so our units get a workout. If you’re somewhere mild, maybe you can keep rolling the dice. But if you’re in a place where the weather can’t make up its mind, I’d start saving up.
- Mini-splits and heat pumps are cool, but not always a fit for every house. I put a mini-split in a rental and the tenants love it, but it was a pain to run the lines in an old plaster wall. If you’re handy or have a good installer, could be worth a look.
- At the end of the day, I always say: if you’re flipping or planning to sell soon, new HVAC is a selling point. If you’re staying put, weigh the cost of a new unit against the “fun” of an emergency breakdown when it’s 95 degrees out.
- Either way, congrats on making it to 20 years. That’s like finding a unicorn in the HVAC world.
That 20-year mark really is wild—my last unit made it to 18 before the compressor gave up during a heatwave. I’ve always wondered, did you keep up with annual maintenance or just let it ride? I feel like regular coil cleaning and filter swaps might buy some extra years, but maybe I’m just telling myself that. Anyone ever had a tech say “this thing’s got another decade in it” and actually be right?
I had a tech tell me my old system “looked solid for years to come”... then the blower motor died that summer. I do think regular filter swaps and cleaning help, but sometimes it just comes down to luck or maybe how hard you run it. I’m big on maintenance, but my neighbor barely touches his and his unit’s still chugging along at 22 years. Go figure.
I’m big on maintenance, but my neighbor barely touches his and his unit’s still chugging along at 22 years. Go figure.
Honestly, you can do everything right and still have a part fail out of nowhere. Maintenance definitely helps, but sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw or how often the system cycles. I’ve seen 15-year-old units die and 25-year-olds keep going with barely any TLC. If you’re past 20 years, though, I’d start budgeting for a replacement—parts get harder to find and efficiency drops off.
