How long does an AC last in Florida?

The short version

• In Florida, plan on about 10 to 15 years. A well-kept, correctly sized system can reach the top of that range or go past it. A neglected one may not reach the bottom.
• The national numbers run higher. Carrier quotes 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance and 10 to 12 without. Trane says about 15, and notes that a system in Florida may wear out sooner.
• Age alone doesn't decide anything. What failed, what the repair costs and what refrigerant it uses matter more than the date on the label.

Why Florida is harder on an AC

• The season is long. A system here runs about nine months a year. In a milder state it might sit idle for most of that time, so a Florida system piles up hours much faster.
• Humidity adds work. Your AC has to pull moisture out of the air as well as cool it. That also means the drain line runs hard, and a clogged drain is one of the most common calls we get.
• The outdoor unit lives outside. Sun, storms, grass clippings and sprinklers all wear on the coil and the parts around it.
• Sizing mistakes cost more here. An oversized system turns on and off in short bursts. That adds wear and leaves the house cold but clammy, so we size from a load calculation.
• Salt air matters near the coast. Carrier lists salty air as a factor. It's less of an issue inland around Kissimmee and Orlando, but it's worth remembering if you're comparing notes with someone at the beach.

What to do at each age

These are the same rules we use on a service call. For a big repair, the repair-or-replace math shows how we compare the cost of fixing it with the cost of a new system. An older system on R-410A deserves a closer look, because that refrigerant is being phased out.

A new standard central AC runs $5,400–$12,800 installed, depending on home size. See the full price table.

How to get more years out of yours

• Change the filter on schedule. A clogged filter makes the whole system work harder.
• Keep the outdoor unit clear. Leave room around it, and rinse off grass and debris.
• Keep the drain line clean. It's a small job that prevents water damage and shutdowns.
• Have it measured twice a year. Our maintenance visit includes the drain line and a written report. A one-time visit is $180 per system, and the $26.99 a month Premium Subscription includes two visits a year. These are home prices for a standard system up to 5 tons; commercial, rental and custom maintenance is priced per property.
• Fix small problems early. A weak capacitor left alone can strain the compressor, and a compressor costs far more.

Good questions. Straight answers.