Should You Repair or Replace Your AC?

If your A/C is over 10–15 years old, needs frequent repairs, or can’t keep your home comfortable, replacement is usually the smarter money. If it’s younger and the repair is minor, repairing is usually the better value. This calculator weighs your system’s age, the repair price, repair history, refrigerant type and comfort to give you a quick answer.

It’s a common HVAC rule of thumb: multiply the age of your system by the repair cost. If the result is more than $5,000, replacing the system is usually the better investment. For example, a 12-year-old system with a $500 repair comes to $6,000, so it’s worth looking at replacement.

Most air conditioners in the Phoenix area last about 10–15 years. Long, triple-digit summers make them work harder than systems in milder climates. Regular maintenance helps a system reach the high end of that range.

R-22 is no longer produced, so the remaining supply keeps getting more expensive. If an R-22 system has a refrigerant leak, putting that money toward a new, efficient system often makes more sense.

No. It’s a quick guide based on common rules of thumb. A technician can tell you exactly what’s wrong and what it costs, in writing, before any work begins. Our technicians don’t work on commission, so you get honest advice whether you repair or replace.