Every summer we get the same question on service calls: “Is this thing worth fixing, or should I just replace it?” Here’s our honest framework for answering that, and the math we walk through with every customer before quoting either path.
The 50% Rule (and Why It's Only Half the Story)
The industry rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than 50% of a new system, replace. It’s not a bad starting point, but it leaves out the three things that matter most, the system’s age, what refrigerant it uses, and how much more efficient new units are. A 6-year-old system with a bad capacitor is worth fixing every time. A 14-year-old system with a refrigerant leak is on borrowed time even if you spend the money.
R-22 Changes Everything
Units installed before 2010 typically use R-22 refrigerant, which is phased out. R-22 is still legal to top off, but it’s now extremely expensive, sometimes $150+ per pound. A 3-pound leak repair on an R-22 system can hit $700–$900 in refrigerant alone, before labor. At that point, the replacement math changes fast.
How We Quote Both Paths
When we come out for a major repair, you get both numbers side by side: the repair quote, the replacement quote, and our honest read on which we’d do if it were our house. Consultation, upfront pricing, no pressure. New SEER 16–20 systems can save $200–$400/year in summer electricity over an old SEER 10–13 unit, real money that should factor into your decision.
