AC Repair or Replacement? The 5,000 Rule and Other Ways to Decide
Every summer we get the same question from homeowners standing next to a dead condenser: fix it or replace it? Here are the rules of thumb we use on real jobs.
The $5,000 rule
Multiply the age of the unit by the repair cost. Under $5,000, repair. Over $5,000, replacement usually wins. A $600 capacitor-and-contactor repair on a 7-year-old unit is $4,200 — repair. A $1,400 fan motor on a 14-year-old unit is $19,600 — replace.
The age test
Central air conditioners in Minnesota last 15–20 years because they only work four months a year. Under 10: repair almost always. 10–15: depends on the repair. Over 15: any major repair should be weighed against a new system.
The R-22 test
If the unit uses R-22 (Freon), production ended in 2020 and the refrigerant is expensive and scarce. A refrigerant leak on an R-22 system is nearly always a replacement.
The compressor test
A failed compressor is the most expensive AC repair. On an out-of-warranty unit over 8 years old we recommend replacement almost every time.
What a new system buys you
A modern SEER2 15–18 system uses 30–50% less electricity than a 2005-era unit, runs quieter, and comes with a 10-year parts warranty. Utility rebates often apply. See air conditioning installation for pricing ranges.
Still not sure? Our technicians show you both numbers on every major AC repair in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Brooklyn Park, Blaine and beyond.