Keeping a 37-Year-Old Commercial A/C Unit Running Strong

A 37-year-old unit. That's not a typo. Most equipment doesn't even make it half that long, but with the right maintenance, older commercial systems can keep chugging along just fine. That's exactly what we were dealing with at ExactAir Home Comfort - a rooftop package unit with serious age on it, still being asked to do its job every single day.

Here's what we were working with: clogged filters and a few capacitors that had given up the ghost. Capacitors are small components, but they're critical. They give the motors the jolt they need to start and run properly. When they fail, the whole system either struggles or shuts down entirely. Catching that during a routine tune-up instead of an emergency call saves a lot of headaches - and money.

We also took readings inside the space using a Fluke multimeter to verify that everything was performing correctly at the supply side. That kind of diagnostic step matters. It tells us the system isn't just running - it's actually delivering the way it should be. There's a difference between a unit that's on and a unit that's working.

This is exactly what light commercial A/C maintenance looks like in practice. It's not glamorous work, but it's the kind of thing that keeps a business comfortable and operational without unexpected breakdowns. Old or new, we're comfortable working on it all - and we take the same level of care regardless of the equipment's age.