Air conditioners and heat pumps
Repair or replace, by the age of the system
These are the shop's rules of thumb. Your system may sit on either side of them, and the visit decides.
| We say replace when | We usually | |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 years | We say replace whenRarely. Only if the compressor or coil has failed and no warranty covers it. | We usuallyRepair. Parts are easy to find and a manufacturer's warranty may still apply. |
| 8 to 12 years | We say replace whenWhen two or more major parts have failed, or the same part keeps failing. | We usuallyRepair, and tell you what else is wearing so nothing surprises you. |
| 12 to 15 years | We say replace whenWhen the repair is a large share of a new system, or the system runs on the retired R-22 refrigerant. | We usuallyRepair if it is one part and the rest is sound. Replacement goes beside it in the quote. |
| 15 to 20 years | We say replace whenWhen the compressor or coil goes, or it can no longer keep up with the house. | We usuallyRepair the small things. Start planning the replacement with you, on your schedule. |
| Over 20 years | We say replace whenWhen any major part fails. A big repair this late rarely makes sense. | We usuallyKeep it running while it is safe and cooling. Talk about when, not whether. |
Furnaces
The same question for a furnace
A furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is a replacement, whatever its age. We show you the crack.
| We say replace when | We usually | |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 years | We say replace whenAlmost never. A cracked heat exchanger on a young furnace may be under warranty. | We usuallyRepair. Igniters, sensors and boards are routine. |
| 10 to 20 years | We say replace whenWhen the heat exchanger is cracked, or the repair is a large share of a new furnace. | We usuallyRepair if it is one part and the furnace is clean and sound. |
| Over 20 years | We say replace whenWhen a major part fails, or we can't confirm it is safe to run. | We usuallyKeep it running if it is safe, and plan the replacement. |
What else we weigh
Age is where we start, not where we stop
What the repair costs against a new system
When one repair is a large share of a replacement, we say that.
How often it has failed
One failure in ten years and the third failure this summer are different.
Whether it keeps the house comfortable
A system that runs and still leaves a room too hot may be the wrong size.
What it is filled with
Systems on the retired R-22 refrigerant get more expensive to keep running.
When we say wait
Some systems are fine to keep
If your system is old but sound, we will tell you to keep it and plan for the day it goes. You can put the replacement in next year's budget instead of this month's.
What a keep-it verdict looks like
A system that cools or heats the house today
No cracked parts and no failing safety controls
A repair that is small next to a new system
Want it in writing?
Book a visit. You get the findings and, when it is close, a repair quote and a replacement quote side by side.