Twenty years is solid, but honestly, at that point you're probably losing a lot in efficiency. I get the appeal of pushing it as long as it'll go—been there myself—but when I finally bit the bullet and replaced my 17-year-old unit last year, the difference in my bills was pretty noticeable. Even with regular maintenance and filter swaps, older units just can't compete with newer tech on energy savings.
Also, those ancient units might look like they're chugging along fine, but they're usually working way harder than they should be. My parents had one of those "war veteran" HVACs too—ran forever, sounded awful—and when we finally convinced them to replace it, their electric bill dropped like 25%. So there's definitely a trade-off between longevity and efficiency.
Not knocking your luck though...sounds like you've done your part keeping it alive. Just something to consider if you find yourself debating repair vs replacement down the road.
Have you thought about the comfort factor too? I replaced mine after 18 yrs, and honestly, the biggest surprise wasn't just the lower bills—it was how evenly the new system cooled the house. Might be worth considering...
That's a good point about comfort, but do you think the difference is always that noticeable? I mean, my HVAC is pushing 22 years now, and while it's not perfect, it still cools pretty evenly. Maybe it depends on the layout or insulation of the house too? I'm definitely tempted by the lower bills, but I'm still weighing if the comfort upgrade alone justifies the upfront cost...
"Maybe it depends on the layout or insulation of the house too?"
Definitely true. I've seen older units perform surprisingly well in homes with good insulation and smart ductwork. Have you checked your attic insulation lately? Sometimes that's a cheaper upgrade that makes a noticeable difference...
"Have you checked your attic insulation lately? Sometimes that's a cheaper upgrade that makes a noticeable difference..."
Haha, can confirm this! When we moved into our old Victorian, the HVAC was ancient enough to vote. Thought we'd have to replace it immediately, but first we tackled insulation—attic, windows, doors...the works. Step one: curse loudly at drafts. Step two: seal everything in sight. Step three: marvel as the dinosaur HVAC keeps chugging along comfortably year after year. Honestly, good insulation is like magic for older homes.
