I've seen plenty of HVAC units hit 20+ years without noticeable drops in performance, especially if they're well-maintained. Sometimes efficiency dips aren't about age alone—could be ductwork issues or insulation wearing down over time... worth checking those before blaming the unit itself.
Good points about insulation and ductwork—often overlooked. I've seen units pushing 25 years still running strong, but usually with regular coil cleaning and refrigerant checks. Curious, have you noticed any humidity issues creeping in as your unit ages?
Mine just hit 22 years, and honestly, humidity has become a bit of an issue lately. Nothing major, but I've noticed the house feels stickier on really muggy days, even with the AC running steady. Had a tech out recently who mentioned the coils were dirty and airflow wasn't great—after cleaning, things improved noticeably. Might be worth checking that out before assuming it's just age-related. Good luck!
Interesting you mention the coils—I hadn't even thought about that. Mine's around 18 years old now, and I've noticed similar humidity issues creeping in, especially on those super muggy days. I just assumed it was the system getting older and less efficient. Did cleaning the coils make a noticeable difference in your energy bills too, or just the comfort level? I'm always hesitant to call out a tech unless it's really necessary (trying to save a few bucks here and there, you know?), but if it helps with efficiency, it might actually pay for itself. Curious if anyone else has seen a noticeable drop in their electric bill after a coil cleaning or if it's mostly just comfort-related improvements...
Had mine cleaned last summer after noticing similar humidity issues, and honestly, it made a noticeable difference in comfort—less sticky indoors. Didn't see a huge drop in my electric bill, but the house definitely felt fresher overall. Worth it for the comfort alone, imo.
