How old is *too old* for an HVAC system? A cost-per-year-of-life guide

There’s no set timing to know when an HVAC has hit its expiration date. A 9-year-old system may be worth replacing if it keeps breaking down or costs a fortune to repair. That said, a 15-year-old system might still be worth keeping if it’s well maintained. Joey Dooley, a general manager at American Residential Services (ARS) in Texas, a national residential HVAC and home services company, says homeowners should look at the bigger picture. “In some cases, an eight- or nine-year-old system makes sense to replace,” he says. “In other cases, you may have a system that’s 15 years old that still makes sense to keep. We really want to do that analysis and let the homeowner know what the true cost of ownership has been so they can make a decision.” Here’s how to think about HVAC age, repair costs