Repair or replace?

When an AC stops cooling in July, the question comes fast: fix it, or replace it? A good answer weighs the repair against what the system has left to give. Here is how we think about it, so you can think it through too.

1. How old is the system, and how hard has it worked?

Age alone isn't a reason to replace a system that runs well. But Valley systems run long hours for much of the year, so they tend to wear faster than the same unit would somewhere milder. An older system facing a major repair is the classic case for replacement. A younger system with a one-off failure is the classic case for repair.

You'll find the manufacture date on the nameplate of the outdoor unit, often coded into the serial number. If you can't read it, we'll check it at the visit.

2. What refrigerant does it use?

This one question settles a lot of cases. Older systems use R-22, sometimes called Freon. U.S. production and import of R-22 ended on January 1, 2020, so the only supply left is recycled or stockpiled, and recharging an R-22 system keeps getting more expensive.

Systems on R-410A can still be serviced normally. New systems now use newer refrigerants such as R-454B, which is part of why an outdoor unit usually can't be swapped on its own (see the questions at the end).

3. What does the repair cost, compared with the system's age?

A common rule of thumb in the trade is the $5,000 rule: multiply the system's age in years by the repair price. If the result is more than $5,000, replacement deserves a serious look. If it's well under, the repair usually makes sense.

It's a starting point, not a verdict. A cheap part on an old R-22 system can still be the wrong call, and an expensive repair on a young, efficient system can still be the right one.

4. Has it needed help before?

One repair is normal. A pattern is a signal. If the system needed a technician last summer, and the summer before, the next failure is likely already on its way. Add up what you've spent in the last couple of years and set it beside the price of a new system.

5. Is it keeping your home comfortable?

A system can run and still fall short. Watch for:

• Rooms that never reach the set temperature on hot afternoons.
• The system running almost nonstop when it's well over 100° out.
• Sticky, humid air during monsoon season.
• Big temperature differences from room to room.
• Power bills that climb compared with the same month last year.

Some of these have fixes short of a new system, such as duct repairs or airflow corrections. A good technician will tell you which ones.

6. How efficient is it, compared with a new one?

Efficiency standards have risen a long way. Since January 1, 2023, a new split air conditioner installed in Arizona has to meet at least 14.3 SEER2 (13.8 SEER2 for larger systems). If your current system is rated well below that, a new one uses noticeably less electricity for the same cooling.

To see what that could mean in dollars, try our SEER savings calculator. To learn what the ratings mean, see SEER2 explained.

When repair makes sense

• The system is on R-410A and has cooled well until now.
• It's a single, common failure, such as a capacitor, contactor, or fan motor.
• The repair passes the rule of thumb above with room to spare.

When replacement makes sense

• The system uses R-22 and needs refrigerant.
• A major part has failed, such as the compressor or the indoor or outdoor coil, on an older system.
• It has needed repairs several summers in a row.
• It can't keep the house comfortable on the hottest days.

How we help you decide

When we diagnose a problem, you get an up-front price for the repair. If replacement is worth considering, you get that too: three options, from Essential Comfort through Signature Comfort, each with real numbers. Every one is a good choice. You decide, with no pressure either way.

Want to see the equipment first? Browse our Lennox products.

Common questions

Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old air conditioner?

Sometimes. A small repair on a system that still cools well and uses R-410A refrigerant can be worth it. A large repair, a system on R-22, or one that has needed help several summers running usually points to replacement. We will price both so you can compare.

Can I replace just the outdoor unit?

Usually not on its own. The outdoor unit and the indoor coil are rated as a matched pair, and today’s outdoor units use newer refrigerants that older indoor coils were not built for. A mismatched system may not reach its efficiency rating and can affect the warranty.

Will a new system need new ductwork?

Not always. We check the ducts during every replacement estimate. If they are leaking, crushed, or too small for the new system, we will tell you and price the fix as its own line, so you can decide.