Start with age and condition

The age of your system is the first clue. Most air conditioners and heat pumps last 12 to 15 years, and furnaces often last a little longer. A system in the last third of its life deserves a closer look before you spend a lot on it.

A simple rule of thumb

Many technicians use a quick guide. Multiply the repair cost by the age of the system in years. If the result is more than the cost of a new system, replacement usually makes more sense. It is not perfect, but it is a useful starting point.

Questions to ask yourself

• How old is the system, and has it been maintained?

• How many repairs have you made in the last two years?

• Has your energy bill been climbing?

• Are some rooms never comfortable?

• Is the system using an older refrigerant that is becoming harder to find?

When repair is usually the right call

If the system is under ten years old and the problem is a single part, such as a capacitor, a fan motor, or a drain issue, repair is often the smart choice. A good repair can add years of life at a fraction of the cost of a new system.

When replacement usually wins

• The compressor or another major component has failed

• Repairs are happening more than once a year

• The system is over 12 to 15 years old

• Your bills keep rising with no other explanation

• The refrigerant in the system is being phased out

What a replacement costs

Prices vary a lot by home, system size, and efficiency level, and a typical replacement can run from a few thousand dollars to well over ten thousand. That is why we always give you a written quote with two or three options, so you can compare and choose.

Our promise on this decision

We do not earn more by recommending a bigger job. If a repair is the right choice, we will tell you, and if a replacement makes sense, we will show you why with the numbers in front of you.