How long should an AC last in the UAE, and when is it cheaper to replace than keep repairing?

Short answer: an AC in the UAE works harder than almost anywhere, so while units are often quoted at ~10-15 years, heavy year-round use here can bring that down — and the replace-vs-repair call comes down to a few clear signals rather than age alone. Replace (don't keep repairing) when: it needs REPEATED/expensive repairs, it runs on an OLD refrigerant that's being phased out (so gas and parts get scarce and costly), a major part like the compressor has failed, it's clearly costing more to run than a modern efficient unit, and it no longer cools properly however much you service it. Keep repairing a relatively young, efficient unit with a one-off, cheap fault. The rule of thumb: if the repair is a big fraction of a new unit's cost — or it's the third repair in a row on an old, thirsty machine — replace.

How long they last here: - Often cited ~10-15 years, but UAE use is brutal (long hours, high heat, dust), so real life can be shorter, especially if servicing was neglected. Age is a factor, not the whole story.

Signs it's time to replace: - Repeated / costly repairs: one fix is fine; a pattern of breakdowns on an old unit is money down a hole. - Old refrigerant (being phased out): older units on legacy refrigerants face scarce, pricey gas and parts — regassing an old leaky system on obsolete gas is throwing good money after bad. - A major component failed (e.g. the compressor) — often close to the cost of replacing the unit. - Rising running cost: old units are far less efficient than modern inverter models, so an old machine genuinely costs more every month to cool the same space — that gap can pay for a new unit over time. - Won't cool properly despite servicing — it's tired.

The decision rule: - Repair if it's relatively young, efficient, and a cheap one-off fault. - Replace if the repair is a big share of a new unit's price, it's old + inefficient + repeatedly failing, or on obsolete refrigerant — a modern efficient unit pays back in lower bills and reliability.

Common mistake: pouring repair after repair into an old, inefficient, obsolete-gas unit out of habit — you often spend more over two years than a new efficient one would have cost, and you keep the high bills. Get an honest replace-vs-repair assessment on the actual unit — its age, refrigerant, efficiency and fault — before authorising another big repair. Anyone kept repairing and wished they'd just replaced?