---
title: "How Long Do AC Units and Heat Pumps Last? | What Year Is"
description: "Manufacturers put central air conditioners at 12 to 20 years and heat pumps at 10 to 15. Here’s what DOE’s averages say and how to tell how old yours is."
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last_updated: "2026-10-19"
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# How long do AC units last?

A central air conditioner typically lasts somewhere between 12 and 20 years, depending on whose figure you use: Carrier and Lennox say 15 to 20, while American Standard and Bryant say 12 to 15. Heat pumps run shorter, at 10 to 15 years by Carrier’s, Lennox’s and Bryant’s counts. To see where yours stands, read the build date from the serial number on the outdoor unit.

By [the What Year Is team](https://whatyearis.com/editorial) · Updated October 19, 2026

## Why do heat pumps wear out sooner than air conditioners?

Lennox, Carrier and Bryant all put heat pumps at 10 to 15 years, shorter than their air conditioner ranges. American Standard is the exception, giving both 12 to 15 years. The Department of Energy’s averages show the same gap: about 21 years for central air conditioners and 15 for heat pumps.

## Does climate change how long an AC lasts?

The Department of Energy’s analysis says so. It estimated an average life of 21 years for central air conditioners nationally, but 18 years in the hot, humid region, where they run more of the year.

## When should an air conditioner be checked?

ENERGY STAR suggests having heating and cooling equipment evaluated if it’s more than 10 years old or isn’t keeping the house comfortable. A technician can tell you how yours is doing; age alone doesn’t mean it needs replacing.

## How do I find out how old my AC is?

Read the serial number on the rating plate of the outdoor unit. Each manufacturer codes the date differently:

- [Goodman and Amana](https://whatyearis.com/goodman-ac): the first four digits are the year and month.
- [Carrier and Bryant](https://whatyearis.com/carrier-ac): the first four digits are the week and year.
- [Lennox](https://whatyearis.com/lennox-ac): the third and fourth digits are the year, and the letter after them is the month.
- [Daikin](https://whatyearis.com/daikin-ac): the first four digits are the year and month.

## Sources

- [How Long Do HVAC Systems Last?](https://www.carrier.com/us/en/residential/hvac-resources/how-long-do-hvac-systems-last/), Carrier. Carrier’s lifespan table lists 15 to 20 years for air conditioners and 10 to 15 years for heat pumps.. Checked October 19, 2026.
- [How Long Do Air Conditioners Last?](https://www.lennox.com/residential/lennox-life/consumer/how-long-do-air-conditioners-last), Lennox. Most AC units last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance.. Checked October 19, 2026.
- [How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?](https://www.lennox.com/residential/lennox-life/consumer/how-long-do-heat-pumps-last), Lennox. Heat pumps typically last 10 to 15 years with proper care.. Checked October 19, 2026.
- [Repair or Replace](https://www.americanstandardair.com/resources/repair-and-replace/), American Standard. Expected lifespans of 12 to 15 years for air conditioners and 12 to 15 years for heat pumps.. Checked October 19, 2026.
- [How Long Do HVAC Systems Last?](https://www.bryant.com/en/us/products/how-long-do-hvac-systems-last/), Bryant. Central air conditioners last 12 to 15 years and heat pumps 10 to 15 years.. Checked October 19, 2026.
- [Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps (direct final rule, December 2016)](https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/12/f34/CAC_HP_Direct_Final_Rule.pdf), U.S. Department of Energy. Average lifetimes estimated at 21 years for central air conditioners and 15 years for heat pumps, and 18.0 years for air conditioners in the hot-humid region.. Checked October 19, 2026.
- [Heat & Cool Efficiently](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling), ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA and DOE). If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated.. Checked October 19, 2026.

## Related pages

- [How old is my Goodman or Amana air conditioner?](https://whatyearis.com/goodman-ac): A Goodman or Amana air conditioner or heat pump shows its build year and month in the first four digits of its serial number, on the outdoor unit’s label.
- [How old is my Carrier or Bryant air conditioner?](https://whatyearis.com/carrier-ac): Find the year your Carrier or Bryant air conditioner or heat pump was built from the first four digits of its serial number, with worked examples.
- [How old is my Lennox air conditioner or heat pump?](https://whatyearis.com/lennox-ac): Find the year and month your Lennox air conditioner or heat pump was built from the serial on its outdoor sticker, and tell the two apart by model number.
- [How old is my Daikin air conditioner or heat pump?](https://whatyearis.com/daikin-ac): On a Daikin central air conditioner, heat pump or air handler, the first four digits of the serial number are the year and month it was built.
- [How old is my Goodman or Amana air conditioner?](https://whatyearis.com/goodman-ac): A Goodman or Amana air conditioner or heat pump shows its build year and month in the first four digits of its serial number, on the outdoor unit’s label.
- [How old is my Carrier or Bryant air conditioner?](https://whatyearis.com/carrier-ac): Find the year your Carrier or Bryant air conditioner or heat pump was built from the first four digits of its serial number, with worked examples.
- [How old is my Lennox air conditioner or heat pump?](https://whatyearis.com/lennox-ac): Find the year and month your Lennox air conditioner or heat pump was built from the serial on its outdoor sticker, and tell the two apart by model number.
- [How old is my Daikin air conditioner or heat pump?](https://whatyearis.com/daikin-ac): On a Daikin central air conditioner, heat pump or air handler, the first four digits of the serial number are the year and month it was built.
- [How long does a furnace last?](https://whatyearis.com/how-long-does-a-furnace-last): Manufacturers put a typical furnace life at 15 to 20 years, and DOE’s average for gas furnaces is 21.5 years. Here’s how to tell how old yours is.

## About this document

This is the Markdown version of a page on What Year Is (https://whatyearis.com). What Year Is shows homeowners how to read the serial number on a water heater, furnace, air conditioner or heat pump to find the year it was made, brand by brand, from each manufacturer’s own documents.

- Site index for AI assistants: https://whatyearis.com/llms.txt
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