The 30-40-15 rule
As a starting rule of thumb: if the repair cost is more than 30-40% of a new system's cost, and your equipment is past 12-15 years old, replacement usually wins on long-term value. Below that threshold, repair is typically the better financial choice.
Other factors that matter
- Refrigerant type: Older R-22 systems are increasingly expensive to service since R-22 production has been phased out.
- Frequency of repairs: A system needing its second or third major repair in 2 years is telling you something.
- Efficiency gap: A 25-year-old system may run at SEER 8-10 versus SEER2 14.3+ minimum today — the energy savings alone can offset a chunk of replacement cost over time.
- Comfort issues: Persistent hot/cold rooms or humidity problems sometimes indicate a system that was undersized or mismatched from the start.
How we help you decide
Every diagnostic visit includes a plain-language repair-vs-replace read specific to your system's age, condition, and repair history — not a generic sales pitch toward the more expensive option.