Repair often still wins
Under ~10 years, one isolated fix: capacitor, contactor, float switch, drain clear, dirty filter. Repair and maintain.
You’re leaving soon: a cheap bridge repair can make sense.
Comfort is still good: even rooms, normal runtime, humidity under control. Age alone is not a wrecking order.
Replace talks get louder when…
- Age is past ENERGY STAR’s 10-year cue (16+ is deep into that).
- The quote is a major sealed-system job and the $5,000 planning product is high.
- Humidity won’t settle even with a clean filter and a clear drain.
- The plate says R-22 and the fix is big. You can still run R-22 with reclaimed refrigerant. EPA says no drop-ins.
Ballpark size on the tonnage calculator. Refrigerant walk-through: R-22 / 410A / R-32 / R-454B.
Common questions
When does ENERGY STAR say to consider replacing an AC?
When a heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, and also when repairs keep stacking while bills climb.
What is the $5,000 rule?
A common planning shortcut, not an ENERGY STAR formula. Multiply system age by the repair quote. Over about $5,000, many people lean replace.
When does repair still make sense?
Under about 10 years with one isolated fix such as a capacitor, contactor, float switch, drain clear, or dirty filter; when you are leaving soon; or when comfort is still good. Age alone is not a wrecking order.
My system uses R-22. Do I have to replace it?
Not automatically. You can still run R-22 with reclaimed refrigerant, and EPA says no drop-ins. Replace talks get louder when the plate says R-22 and the fix is big.