When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

Your heating and air conditioning is something you dont think about too much until it stops working.

Read on to discover what the right choice is for you.

Technician repairing HVAC unit outside

Man doing maintenance on a HVAC unit

Our experts recommend repairing the unit if possible.

However, this will also depend on whether the unit is older or in rough condition.

A warranty can cover repairing your HVAC unit, so youre not paying out of pocket.

Man doing maintenance on a HVAC unit

Man doing maintenance on a HVAC unit

Pritchard highly recommends opting into such a plan if offered.

But what about an older HVAC unit that can be repaired?

Older systems can pose challenges when sourcing obsolete parts, rendering repair unfeasible.

Man replacing HVAC unit

Man replacing HVAC unit

Investing in a new system could offer greater long-term efficiency and reliability.

Check the Seasonal Energy Efficiency (SEER) ratio of each unit youre considering.

The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit.

LG 10,000 BTU Smart Window Air Conditioner

Many people opt for a heat pump system, which is usually the most energy-efficient option.

“However, we recommend a reliable 15 SEER heat pump system if no specific requirements are requested.

This rating ensures a good balance of energy efficiency and performance for most residential applications.

GE® ENERGY STAR® 8,000 BTU…

How long do HVAC units last?

The average HVAC unit lasts between 10 and 20 years.

Once units start getting older, it can also be increasingly hard to find replacement parts, explains Schmitz.

TCL 12,000 BTU Q-Series Smart…

However, there are some things you could do to increase the longevity of your HVAC unit.

Scheduling an annual tune-up can help catch potential issues before they become too costly to fix.

What if I do nothing?

Article image

When your HVAC unit is experiencing issues, its best to address them immediately.

Several signs could indicate your HVAC unit needs attention.

More from Tom’s Guide

Vornado VHEAT Whole Room Vintage Heater on living room floor

Meaco dehumidifier

Air purifier in living room

Washing machine in laundry room

Patio table and chairs

The Ordo Sonic+ toothbrush photographed in front of a blue background.

Ninja Crispi spring colors

the 1zpresso k-ultra hand coffee grinder, a 7 inch tall coffee grinder with magnetic catch chamber and 48mm stainless steel burrs

Ninja Air Fryer

Chipolo Pop tracker

An alarm clock showing the time on a chair with two people cleaning a kitchen in the background

A person holding a Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World

ChatGPT generated image

Garmin Vivoactive 6 in emerald green with the Morning Report shown on the screen

2025 Toyota bZ4X at New York Auto Show.

KTC G27P6

Sebastian De Souza as Garrett and Sofia Carson as Alex in “The Life List” on Netflix