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How long the equipment has left, as a range

The NAHB 2007 study gives central AC and heat pumps 15 years and furnaces in a 15–20 band (18 used here). It is a telephone survey of manufacturers and trade associations, not a field study. This tool returns a range, because a single year would have to be invented.

15 years NAHB horizon for central AC and heat pumps NAHB / Bank of America Home Equity, Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components, February 2007. Method: a 2006 telephone survey. The study says it should be used as a general guideline only. The 70/130% band and the condition factor are editorial.

On the defaults — a 12-year air conditioner in average condition — remaining life is a range around three years against a 15-year horizon, and the call is to price replacement alongside the next repair. Poor condition shortens the horizon 30%; “good” stretches it 10%. Neither factor is sourced. A range, never a prediction.

Horizon minus age, as a range

NAHB 2007 is the ceiling. Condition is editorial. Nothing is emailed.

— Remaining-life range
— NAHB horizon used
— Call

What this assumed —

A triage range, never a prediction. HyreHVAC does not inspect equipment.

Questions this calculator answers

How long does a furnace last?
The NAHB 2007 study puts furnaces in a 15–20 year band. This tool uses 18 as the midpoint of that band, then returns a range. It is a telephone survey, not a field measurement.
How long does an air conditioner last?
The same study says 15 years for central AC and heat pumps. Condition and maintenance move that. Nothing here is a warranty.
Why not a single year?
Because the underlying measurement does not exist as a field study. A calculator that returns “your AC will last 4 more years” is presenting a survey as arithmetic.

Sources and methodology

Figures dated 23 August 2026. Last reviewed .

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