When to repair vs. replace your AC

When your AC breaks down in July, the first question is whether to repair it or replace it. Here is the simple framework our techs use with homeowners.

Use the 5,000 rule

Multiply the age of the unit by the repair cost. If the result is over 5,000, replacement usually makes more sense. A 12-year-old system with a $500 repair scores 6,000.

Check the refrigerant

Systems built before 2010 often use R-22, which is no longer made. Recharging one is expensive, so a leak in an older unit is often a good reason to upgrade.

Look at your energy bills

A new high-efficiency system can use 20 to 40% less electricity. If your summer bills keep climbing, the savings can cover a good part of the cost.

When repair is the right call

• The system is under 10 years old

• It is a single part like a capacitor or fan motor

• The rest of the system has been maintained every year