The problem with older air conditioners is that they don't work as well. They can experience breakdowns and require more repairs, which means you'll be spending money on repairs instead of just buying a new one every few years like I recommend Quality always matters! With proper maintenance your reliable comfort will last around 15-20 years (depending upon quality). As with all machines though if it's not maintained properly then there could potentially arise some problems such as failures or even greater amounts spent when trying fix an issue at hand versus investing initially into something better suited towards longevity.