Air Conditioner Life Expectantcy Thru wall Type

[jhanna1]

On occassion, I will find thru wall air conditioner units in condo's with electric as the only energy source.
Should I be stating the life expectantcy of these units as being the same as the central units?

[David P. Valley]

James,

In general, room air conditioners are expected to have a service life of approximately 10 years. Lower annual run-time results in a greater than average life expectancy, such as A/C's in Massachusetts. We only get 2-3 months of hot weather so our portable A/C's could last longer than the average portable A/C.

[jhanna1]

Originally Posted by dvalley

James,

In general, room air conditioners are expected to have a service life of approximately 10 years. Lower annual run-time results in a greater than average life expectancy, such as A/C's in Massachusetts. We only get 2-3 months of hot weather so our portable A/C's could last longer than the average portable A/C.

Thank's for the quick response David.
I was also thinking around the 10 year time frame.

[Marc D. Shunk]

The life expectancy of genuine PTAC's is head and shoulders above the life expectancy of a window shaker that has been installed as a through-wall.

[bbenjamin]

You guys are right on point with the 10 year time frame, but thats if these PTAC units are being serviced properly. Most people feel that because these units are not running as much as normal a/c units they dont need to serviced, but this is untrue. However servicing these units are different from servicing regular a/c units because they are closed systems.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Luckily window units are not covered by the SOP in the states I serve. That information in my Agreement and I disclaim them in my reports like so:

"The house air conditioning was partially provided by window air conditioners. In accordance with state Standards of Practice and our contract, these units were not tested and you may wish to do so yourself prior to close of escrow."

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk

The life expectancy of genuine PTAC's is head and shoulders above the life expectancy of a window shaker that has been installed as a through-wall.

Yes and you can buy new one ton window unit for about 25% on a split unit.

Window unit is cheaper in the long run.. My opinion.

Roy Cooke

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Yes and you can buy new one ton window unit for about 25% on a split unit.

You're talking about window units versus splits, and I'm talking about window units versus PTAC's (motel units). I agree with your particular assessment, however.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk

You're talking about window units versus splits, and I'm talking about window units versus PTAC's (motel units). I agree with your particular assessment, however.

Yes Sorry Have never inspected Motel units.
I guess They are used for heating too, am I correct?

Roy Cooke

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by rcooke

I guess They are used for heating too, am I correct?

Yup. They're basically a fancy window shaker, designed in standardized sizes as through wall units. They also incorporate resistance heating elements or they may operate as a heat pump in heating mode. They're mostly only used in hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, high-rise apartment homes, and dormitories.

[David A. Andersen]

Should I be stating the life expectantcy of these units as being the same as the central units?

IMHO, I don't think that you should ever state a life expectancy.

2. Standards of Practice

II. The inspector is not required to:

B. Predict the service life expectancy.