Repair or Replace Your AC?
A big repair bill on an older system is the hardest call a homeowner makes. These are the signs that point one way or the other, and the questions to ask before you decide.
The Short Answer.
Repair usually makes sense for a newer system with a single failed part. Replacement is worth pricing when the air conditioner or heat pump is more than 10 years old, needs frequent repairs while energy bills climb, or can't keep some rooms comfortable. Systems that use R-22 refrigerant are a special case, because U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 ended in 2020. AAA Airwaves can give you both options in writing so you can compare.
Related Services
- AC RepairSame-day diagnostics and repair for every major make and model, from window units to full split systems.
- AC Installation & ReplacementRight-sized new systems and full replacements, with permits and inspections handled for you.
- How Your AC Works (3D)Take a heat pump apart in 3D and see what each part does.
Signs It May Be Time to Replace.
It's more than 10 years old
ENERGY STAR suggests considering a replacement once a heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old. Systems here run most of the year in heat and humidity, which adds up.
Repairs keep coming and bills keep rising
Frequent repairs and rising energy bills are a sign the equipment has become less efficient.
Some rooms never get comfortable
Hot rooms can come from the equipment, the ducts, or the insulation. That's worth diagnosing before buying anything.
The house stays humid
Poor equipment operation, the wrong equipment, or leaky ducts can leave the air too humid even while the system runs.
It uses R-22
U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 (R-22) ended in 2020, and servicing existing equipment is one of the few uses that continue. The nameplate on the outdoor unit usually lists the refrigerant.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide.
What exactly failed?
A capacitor or fan motor on a newer system is a very different decision from a failed compressor or a leaking coil on an old one.
How often has it been repaired lately?
Add up the last two or three years of repairs. A pattern is more telling than one bill.
Is the problem the system or the ducts?
About 20 to 30 percent of the air in a typical duct system is lost to leaks. Fixing the ducts can solve comfort problems a new unit wouldn't.
Can I see both options in writing?
We give a written estimate before any work begins, so you can put the repair and the replacement side by side.
Repair or Replace? FAQs.
More Guides.
- What a New AC CostsSize, SEER2, ductwork, refrigerant and permits: what moves the price, and what changed for 2026.
- AC Blowing Warm AirFive-minute checks for the thermostat, filter, breakers and outdoor unit, and when to stop and call.
- Hurricane AC PrepWhat to do with the outdoor unit before a storm, and how to restart safely after one.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), When is it time to replace?. Checked November 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances. Checked November 2026.
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), Duct Sealing. Checked November 2026.
Comfort Can’t Wait. Neither Do We.
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