Do You Need an AC Service to Repair or Replace Your AC Unit?

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Posted September 26, 2025

There’s nothing worse than having your AC break down on a hot day. Suddenly you’re left sweating in sweltering weather with no respite from the heat!

When this happens, it’s time to hire an AC service to get your air conditioning unit back up and running. However, sometimes what you thought would be a minor repair turns out to be a major HVAC repair job.

Suddenly, you have to decide whether or not to repair your AC unit or to opt for the replacement. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide on whether you need an AC service to fix or replace your air conditioning unit.

Consider the Age of Your AC System and Parts

Before making a decision about buying a new AC unit versus replacing it, consider how long it has been in service. AC units can break down whether they’ve been functioning for 30 days or 30 years.

Typically, AC systems last for about 15 years. However, with the right care, your air conditioning unit can last you for twenty years or more!

While your AC system can live this long, individual parts don’t have the same lifespan. Some components will have a higher failure rate than others.

The major system components of air conditioners include:

• The compressor
• The evaporator
• The condenser
• The refrigerant

Each of these parts, as well as the general machinery of the system, affects how your AC unit performs. Make sure that you connect with your chosen HVAC repair technician to fully diagnose the issue.

The Compressor

The compressor is a part of the AC unit that sits inside your machinery and pumps the refrigerant to and from the indoor and outdoor coils. Compressors have a lifetime of between 12 years and 20 years.

When your compressor finally kicks the can, it’s usually due to electrical shortages or internal lockups. Regardless of why they failed, technicians can rarely replace compressors.

The Evaporator

The evaporator sits on top of a furnace or on the inner section of the air handler. It picks up the heat from the house and then sends it on to the air compressor. Most evaporator coils consist of either copper, steel, or aluminum. They’ll usually start to leak refrigerant after about 12 years, but most times it takes between 15 and 20 years.

The Condenser

The condenser is a coil that gets rid of the heat inside the unit. Condensers do not typically fail and have a long lifespan. When they do fail, they usually cost about the same amount as an evaporator. A few common reasons why condensers fail include burnout, extreme heat, low refrigerant, and dirty coils. Any of these issues can cause your condenser system to fail, calling for a replacement.

Typically, condenser units will last for between 10 and 12 years. With proper AC maintenance, these units can last even longer.

The Refrigerant

The refrigerant is another component of AC systems that impacts the machinery’s lifespan. Units that are older than ten years often contain an illegal refrigerant known as R22.

Since R22 is now illegal, it is hard to come by. That makes it extremely difficult to repair your AC unit if you run into refrigerant issues such as leaks.

Think About the Cost of Replacement vs Repair

Probably the most important factor in deciding whether to repair or replace your air conditioning unit is how much each action will cost. You need to think about which makes more sense for your situation.

Firstly, look into the cost of individual AC parts. Common parts that require repairs on AC systems include:

• Compressor Replacement: $2000 or more
• Evaporator Replacement: $1500 or more
• Condenser Replacement: $1700 or more
• Smaller Components: $300-$800

Knowing these costs will help you get a better idea of how much it would cost to get simple replacements done.

If you’re paying for more than one major replacement, you may find that it’s better to simply replace your AC unit altogether. AC repairs can quickly add up, causing you to pay more for a few simple parts than you would for a whole new system.

Consider Your AC Unit’s Efficiency

When choosing whether to replace or repair your AC unit, you’ll want to think about your current unit’s efficiency. Older systems may need more of an overhaul to get their efficiency up to par, while newer ones may just need simple tweaks.

By looking into the efficiency of your AC system, you can get a better idea of whether a repair or replacement is more appropriate. Here are a few things to think about when considering your AC’s efficiency.

Analyze Your AC’s SEER Rating

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, more commonly called the SEER rating, is what measures your AC unit’s efficiency. The rating calculates how much heat the system removes compared to the amount of energy it consumes.

SEER ratings typically start around 8. There is no maximum for what a SEER system can be, but the best AC units typically operate at a SEER rating of between 20 and 25. The minimum SEER rating requirements have changed over the years. SEER ratings are required to be much higher today than they were 30 years ago, for example.

If you’re using an older AC system, you could be losing out on some serious efficiency. In that case, it may make more sense to replace your AC unit rather than repair it.

Think About How Long You’ll Be in the House

Another thing to consider when looking at air conditioning efficiency is how long you’ll be staying in the home. While boosting efficiency majorly is great if you’ll be in the home for the long term, it may not make sense if you have an upcoming move.

If you’re not planning on being in your home for a long time, you’ll likely spend more to install a new air conditioner than you would save by getting a more efficient machine. Even the boost in your home sale price likely wouldn’t justify the replacement costs.

Make sure to weigh the costs against the benefits. A good rule of thumb is whether you plan to be in the home in the next three years. If the answer was no, a repair may be more appropriate.

Keep Noise in Mind

Noise is a big factor in repairs vs replacements. Just about any component of your air conditioning system can affect how much noise your machinery makes.

And, while each part of the system can be replaced, the cost might not justify it. If your system’s noise stems from a single part of your AC unit, you may be better off repairing the system. If your noise issue is due to system-wide difficulties, on the other hand, replacing your AC unit might be a better choice.

Faulty machinery isn’t the only factor that can cause an AC unit to make noise. The location of the system can also cause noisiness.

Systems sometimes simply need to be relocated in order to reduce noise. However, it’s risky to move AC systems, especially if they’re older. Your HVAC technician will be able to advise you as to whether it’s better to move the system or replace it to reduce noise.

Advantages of Repairing Your AC Unit

If you’re leaning more toward repairing your AC unit, there are some benefits that you’ll get to enjoy. Keeping these in mind may help you make a final decision about repair vs replacement.

Extend the Life of Your AC System

Newer AC units can run into issues just like older units. And, when they do, running out to buy a replacement AC system might not make sense. Your AC system might still have a lot of life left to give!

AC repairs are beneficial in that they can extend the life of your AC system. Whether new or old, when you add brand new replacement parts, you can ensure that your unit keeps running well into the future.

Improve Your Resale Value

If your air conditioning unit is in good condition when you decide to remove it from your home, you can resell it. Regardless of how old your machinery is, you’ll have no problem finding a buyer.

Most often, buyers simply look for the outward appearance of a cooling machine. If your AC unit’s exterior is still in good condition, you may be able to get a good resale value for the unit just by taking the time to complete a few repairs.

Replacing the unit right away wouldn’t provide the same value. Your older AC unit wouldn’t necessarily be able to say for the same price and you could miss out on valuable savings opportunities.

Cut Maintenance Costs

Older systems can break down pretty often. This is super frustrating if you live in a hot climate and are constantly calling your local HVAC technician for assistance.

However, if you have an older system, getting a major repair job could help you reduce your unit’s long-term maintenance needs.

By lowering your maintenance bill, you may be able to take advantage of some big cost savings. This can make repairing your AC unit costly at the onset, but more affordable in the long run.

Advantages of Replacing Your AC Unit

Sometimes it makes sense to repair an air conditioning system, while other times an HVAC replacement is a better choice. If you do end up choosing to replace your unit, there are a few benefits that you can take advantage of.

These benefits may help nudge you toward deciding to replace your AC unit. However, even if you end up going with a replacement, you’ll still be able to take advantage of these benefits once you do replace your air conditioner.

Better Efficiency

Replacing your AC system leads to higher efficiency. When your AC unit is able to work more efficiently, it uses less power, which ultimately saves you money on your utility bills.

Guarantees and Warranties

Replacement AC systems come with warranties. You can even extend these to ensure that major repair parts and labor are covered for the long term.

Most air conditioning units on the market guarantee the system for up to ten years. However, HVAC teams often have their own guarantees that you can take advantage of.

Improved Comfort

New AC systems make less noise. Quieter machines can create a more comfortable environment, which is great, especially for individuals who work from home.

In addition, newer AC units tend to get the job done better. Since they’re able to more effectively cool your house, your environment is much more comfortable for living and working in.

Potential Tax Savings

Did you know that you could take advantage of some tax rebates just by replacing your AC unit? Depending on where you live, there are several tax rebates and incentives available to individuals who replace their AC systems.

The US government offers incentives to homeowners who install Energy Star systems. In addition, environmental programs offer rebates and credits for individuals who switch from older machinery using R22 to newer, greener AC systems.

Call an AC Service Technician Today

The decision to repair or replace an AC unit is a big one and causes lots of confusion. However, with this helpful guide, you’ll be able to make the decision that makes the most sense for you.

Are you ready to get started with a professional AC service? If so, we can help. Give our team a call today to get started taking care of your air conditioning service needs!

Daily Promotion

$99 Electrical Inspection

Get Your Electrical Inspection for just $99!

Get Promotion