Should You Repair vs Replace Your Central AC Unit?

Central AC units can be expensive, but if you maintain them well, they will last for years to come. See here if it’s time to repair or replace your old AC unit.

The weather is heating up, and many of us are switching our central AC units back on for the first time in several months. Unfortunately, after all that time out of commission, you may discover that your air conditioner isn’t working quite right.

When your air conditioner breaks down, you may start to wonder whether it would be better to fix it or replace the whole thing. This guide will help you decide if you should repair or replace your air conditioner.

Signs Your Central AC Unit Needs Attention

There are many things that can go wrong with an air conditioning system, and some of the signs that yours needs some TLC include:

• Warm air blowing from the vents/air handlers
• Refrigerant leak
• Irregular/frequent cycling
• System running constantly
• Poor airflow
• Strange noises
• Increasing energy bills
• Bad odours like mold or burning
• Moisture around the system
• Frozen coils
• Increasing humidity

Evaluating the Condition of Your Central AC Unit

One of the most important considerations when evaluating an air conditioner is its age. The life expectancy of a central air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years. If your A/C is under 10 years and you’ve been taking care of it with regular maintenance, then it’s probably in pretty good shape.

You also have to evaluate how effectively and efficiently the system cools your home. When you turn the A/C on, it should cool your home by at least one degree every 20 minutes.

You can also inspect the outdoor unit for physical damage and to make sure it:

• Is blowing out hot air
• Isn’t making any strange sounds
• Doesn’t have frost buildup on the coils

If your energy bills are getting higher, your home doesn’t feel comfortable, or you notice declining air quality, it could be a sign that your air conditioner might need an upgrade.

Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner? Factors to Consider

When faced with the decision to repair or replace your air conditioner, you’ll have to consider things like:

• What part of the system is broken
• How old the A/C is
• How much it will cost to do repairs
• The efficiency of your current system
• Noise and humidity levels
• The unit’s location
• How long you plan to stay in the house

Let’s look at these factors in more detail.

Video: Repairing vs. Replacing Your Old A/C

Basic A/C Anatomy: What Part Is the Problem?

There are three main parts of an air conditioner: the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. 

The compressor pumps coolant between your indoor and outdoor coils. The indoor coil, or evaporator, absorbs heat from the house and sends it out to the compressor. The outdoor coil, or condenser, gets rid of the heat absorbed from inside the house to keep your home cool.

When a breakdown happens, the issue might be related to any of these major components, the furnace blower, the thermostat, or the ductwork. Major components are going to be more expensive to fix compared to a faulty thermostat or clogged ducts.

Repair Costs

Perhaps the biggest factor in the question of whether to repair or replace your unit is how much the repairs will cost.

With a minor breakdown, the repairs might only cost you a few hundred dollars, rather than the thousands it would take to put in a whole new unit.

But if one of your three major components breaks down, it may be better to go ahead and get the whole system replaced.

Compressor repairs can cost upwards of $2,000, and evaporators and condensers cost between $1,500 and $1,700 or more to replace. Since you’re likely to wind up paying for all three of those repairs back to back to back, it might be better to replace your unit when one of the big three breaks.

Fortunately, there’s a handy calculation you can use to determine if you should repair or replace your air conditioner:

a/c age X cost of repairs: If that equals more than $5,000, then replace your A/C

There’s also a rule of thumb you can use:

If the repair will cost more than 50% of the replacement cost, then replace your A/C.

Try our A/C Repair Cost Calculator!

Age of Your Unit

When deciding whether to repair or replace your air conditioner, another big consideration is the system’s age.

If your A/C is under 10 years, then a repair will likely make sense, especially if it’s still under warranty.

But if your AC unit is approaching that 15- to 20-year mark, it may be best to replace it. You could pour thousands of dollars into fixing one of the main components now, only for the next piece to wear out just a few months later. Replacing the whole thing could save you money in the long run as well as give you peace of mind.

Plus, upgrading to a new system means you could get:

• Communicating capabilities
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Better noise-reducing features
• Other cool technologies

Current Efficiency and Energy Bills

If your unit is getting older but might last a few more years with some care, you’ll want to turn your attention to other factors, such as efficiency.

An inefficient unit could cost you more throughout the rest of its lifespan than it would cost to replace it with a better model.

Air conditioner efficiency was rated in SEER: seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The higher your SEER rating, the more efficient your unit is at keeping your home comfortable with less energy (and for less money). If you’re working with a 9 SEER unit, upgrading to a 16 or 17 SEER could save you a lot on electric bills.

Note that SEER is being replaced by SEER2, which measures efficiency in real-life situations.

The Department of Energy in the U.S. estimates homeowners could potentially save 20% to 40% on cooling bills by upgrading an air conditioner that’s 10 years old.

Humidity Levels

You’ll also need to take a look at the humidity levels in your house when deciding whether to replace your unit. Air conditioners come in different sizes that are measured in tons, and what size unit you need will depend on how big your house is, among other factors. Sometimes people put in larger units than they need, thinking that having more AC power is better than not having enough. 

But that’s not true. Unfortunately, if your air conditioning system doesn’t operate near peak capacity or if it is incorrectly sized to begin with, the humidity levels in your home may not be ideal even if your AC is still cooling your home to some extent.

Noise Level

There are few things more annoying than a noisy air conditioner, especially if the condenser sits right outside a bedroom window. Every time the unit kicks on in the middle of the night, you get woken up as it roars, rattles, and shudders. You may even start keeping your bedroom hotter than you’d like just to avoid the extra noise or to avoid bothering your neighbours.

If this sounds familiar, then a new air conditioner could give you the peace you need in your home.

Air conditioners are getting quieter all the time. The quietest ones on the market today have a decibel rating as low as 45—about the same level as regular household noise.

Unit Location

The location of your current AC unit – in particular, your condenser – could also play a factor in whether you repair or replace your air conditioner. Many old units are bulky and ugly, and your condenser may have been installed in an awkward location around your house. You may find yourself trying to hide it with fencing or wishing you could use that area of your yard for something else.

Modern AC units can be somewhat smaller as well as give you other installation options, thanks to advances in technology. You might be able to move your condenser somewhere more convenient (or at least get it away from your bedroom windows). This can make your home more pleasant to live in, both inside and out.

Your Personal Timeline (Are You Moving Soon?)

Of course, one major factor that goes into whether you repair or replace your AC unit is your personal timeline in the house. If you plan to be in the house for the next ten to twenty years, you’ll have time to reap the benefits of a quieter, more efficient unit. You’ll also save money on additional repairs that may need to happen down the line.

But if you’re planning on moving in the next year or two, it may not be worth it to put in all the money to replace your unit. While the new AC unit price could be a selling point, it’s very unlikely that you’ll recoup the money on that investment. Instead, you may want to get the current unit back in working order so you can sell the house and move on. 

Environmental Considerations

Older air conditioners used ozone-depleting refrigerants that were more damaging to the environment, and these are being replaced. For example, R22 (aka HCFC-22) refrigerant was phased out in 2020 in favour of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

If you have an older A/C that uses R22 refrigerant, it could be more difficult/more expensive to repair a refrigerant leak. Depending on the age of the system and the other factors, this might help you make the decision to repair or replace your air conditioner.

Benefits of Repairing Your Central AC Unit

• Repairs are often cheaper than a full replacement
• You don’t have to worry about upgrading ductwork or other infrastructure
• Potential for extending the unit’s life expectancy
• No disruptive installation process
• Save on installation fees
• Requires less energy and fewer resources than a full replacement
• Potential for improved efficiency and air quality

Benefits of Replacing

If you do decide to replace your central AC unit, you’ll discover there are a few benefits:

• Higher efficiency rating
• Quieter operation
• New features/technologies
• Moving the unit to a more convenient location
• Getting to address systemic problems in your home’s cooling system
• Fresh warranty coverage

Consultation with HVAC Professionals

The best way to decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioner is to talk to a licensed technician. They’ll assess all the factors we talked about today and give you an experienced, professional opinion that will make your choice easier.

They can also give you a quote about repair or replacement costs. If you opt for a replacement, they’ll help you choose a new A/C that matches your budget, needs, and size of your home. 

Learn More About Central AC Replacement 

Central AC unit repairs can get expensive, and at some point, it may make more sense for you to replace the unit altogether. Start by evaluating the cost of the repairs and figuring out how much lifespan your current unit likely has left. From there, consider your personal timeline in the house and how well the unit is functioning for you now.

If you’d like to learn more about central AC replacement, check out the rest of our site at FurnacePrices.ca. We can help you compare quotes from certified HVAC contractors in your area. Get quotes today and start finding companies you can trust and quotes you know will be fair.

Conclusion: Deciding Whether to Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner

There are benefits to both repairing and replacing an air conditioner, and making the right choice for your home will depend on your specific situation.

It might be best to replace if the unit is approaching the end of its lifespan, causes daily problems around your house, has a breakdown with a major component, and you plan on staying in your home.

When it’s time to replace your air conditioner, you can save money upfront by applying for rebates and save money in the long run by opting for an efficient, ENERGY STAR model.

However, if the problem with your unit is relatively minor or the system is less than ten years old, repairs may still make more sense for you. You may also choose to repair if you’re planning on moving sometime in the next one to three years. And if your current system works relatively well for you, a full central air conditioner replacement may not be necessary yet.

Ultimately, speaking with a qualified local HVAC professional can help you make the right decision for your home and needs.

FAQ

Is it worth fixing a 20-year-old AC unit?

Unless the unit is in excellent condition otherwise and the repair is relatively minor/inexpensive, then it’s probably best to replace a 20-year-old air conditioner. You’ll get a new warranty, a quieter, more efficient unit, environmentally friendly refrigerant, new features, and more.

Why do AC repairs cost so much?

Air conditioner repairs vary greatly in price, but they can be expensive because the systems are complex, it requires years of training to become a licensed HVAC expert, the parts are expensive, and some repairs require special certification.

How often do central air conditioners need maintenance?

Annual service/cleaning/inspections are recommended to keep your air conditioner in tip top shape. Regular maintenance like this can also help you get the longest life from your A/C, catch problems early, and potentially save you from needing emergency repairs.