Repair or replace? How to decide when your AC is getting old

Nobody wants to spend thousands on a new system if a repair would do — or pour money into repairs on a system that's about to quit. These are the questions our technicians walk through with homeowners.

How old is your system?

Most central air conditioners in North Texas last around 12 to 15 years — our long, hot cooling season works them harder than in milder climates. Under 10 years old, a repair is usually worth it. Past 15, every repair is money spent on a system near the end of its life.

Try the $5,000 rule

A common rule of thumb in the industry: multiply the system's age by the repair cost. If the result is more than $5,000, replacing is usually the better investment.

• 12-year-old system, $600 repair: 12 × 600 = 7,200 → lean toward replacing
• 6-year-old system, $400 repair: 6 × 400 = 2,400 → repair it

Does it use R-22 refrigerant?

Many systems installed before 2010 use R-22, which is no longer produced in the U.S. A refrigerant leak on one of these systems gets expensive fast, and it's often the point where replacing makes more sense. Read more about the R-22 phase-out.

Are your bills climbing?

Older systems lose efficiency as they age, and they were less efficient to begin with — new systems in Texas must meet at least 14.3 SEER2 for most home sizes. If your summer bills keep rising, our savings calculator estimates what a newer system could save.

Are repairs piling up?

Two or more repair calls in a year, rooms that never get comfortable, or a system that runs nonstop are signs it's wearing out. One repair is normal. A pattern is a warning.

When repairing makes more sense

• The system is under 10 years old
• It's a single, modest repair
• It has been maintained and cools the house evenly
• It uses R-410A or a newer refrigerant

Still on the fence? Our repair-or-replace quiz takes about a minute.