Decision guide
Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner?
Repair a unit under about 10 years old with a single failed component. Replace when the compressor fails, the system uses R-22, or the repair quote times the unit's age exceeds the cost of new equipment.
Verified August 2026
Typical repair cost
$200–$1,600
Typical replacement cost
$8,900
$5,200–$15,500 range
Expected service life
10–17 years
Should I repair or replace my AC?
Multiply repair cost by equipment age in years. Above the price of a new system, replace.
Repair a unit under about 10 years old with a single failed component. Replace when the compressor fails, the system uses R-22, or the repair quote times the unit's age exceeds the cost of new equipment.
Decision table
Match your situation to the closest row.
| Situation | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Failed capacitor or contactor | Repair | Low-cost wear parts, unrelated to system age. |
| Compressor failure out of warranty | Replace | Compressor replacement approaches the cost of a new system. |
| R-22 system with a refrigerant leak | Replace | R-22 is phased out; recharge cost is high and recurring. |
| Evaporator coil leak, unit 8–12 years old | Depends | Warranty coverage on the coil decides it. |
| Rising bills, unit 15+ years old | Replace | Efficiency gains plus avoided repairs usually beat another season of service calls. |
Repair when
- • Unit under 10 years old
- • Single electrical or control component
- • Refrigerant is R-410A or newer
- • Ductwork is in good condition
Replace when
- • Compressor or coil failure out of warranty
- • R-22 refrigerant
- • Repeated service calls in one season
- • Sizing was wrong from the start
What replacement costs
| National typical cost | $8,900 |
|---|---|
| Typical range | $5,200–$15,500 |
| Unit cost | $1600–$3200 per ton of cooling capacity |
| Typical timeline | 1 day of work, 1-3 weeks including permit and inspection |