Unlike furnaces, air conditioners are often outdoors and exposed to extreme temperatures throughout the year, which shortens their life expectancy. Modern air conditioners can last between 15-20 years, and older air conditioners last around 10-12 years.

A typical central air conditioner costs $5,650 on average but can range from $3,800 to $7,500* depending on how much cooling power your home needs. Air conditioners turn your home into a welcoming respite from the summer heat and humidity. However, they often come with a substantial up-front investment.

An air conditioning compressor is a device that pumps refrigerant through the air conditioning system. It's a critical component of an air conditioning system because it's what allows the heat pump to work.

On July 17, 1902, Willis Haviland Carrier designed the first modern air-conditioning system, launching an industry that would fundamentally improve the way we live, work and play.