One of the eternal questions when it comes to air conditioning systems is when to stop repairing an AC and instead replace it. You can keep a central air conditioner running for many years with professional repairs, but at a certain point, further repairs will be throwing away money better spent on a new system. To avoid that tipping point, it’s important to understand the most common AC issues and when they signal a deeper problem
When should you repair your HVAC system — and when is it time to replace it?
If your heating or cooling system is under 10 to 12 years old and the repair is minor, it’s usually best to repair. However, replacement may be smarter if the unit is over 12 to 15 years old, requires frequent or costly repairs, shows signs of poor efficiency like rising energy bills, or struggles with consistent comfort or air quality. Major component failures can also signal it’s time to upgrade.
When is it best to leave aside repairs and get a new air conditioner? There’s no single answer, but our expert HVAC team can give you guidelines. After all, every one of our employees receives over 250 hours of training per year—they know ACs and they know how best to help customers.