This is the question we get asked more than almost any other, and the honest answer is: it depends on factors specific to your system and your situation. Here's the framework we use.

The age and condition of the equipment. A system under ten years old with a first-time major failure is generally worth repairing, assuming the repair cost is reasonable. A system over fifteen years old with recurring issues or a significant failure is often better replaced — particularly if efficiency has declined and the repair cost approaches or exceeds 30 to 50 percent of the replacement cost.

The nature of the repair. Replacing a capacitor or a contactor is a minor repair on any system. Replacing a compressor or an evaporator coil on an older unit is a different conversation. The part alone can cost $1,000 or more, and you're investing that into equipment that may have only a few years of useful life remaining.

Your energy costs. If your system is old enough that it carries a SEER rating significantly below what's standard today, the efficiency difference between running the old system and a new one can be substantial. Over time, energy savings can offset a meaningful portion of the replacement cost.

Whether R-22 refrigerant is involved. If your system relies on R-22, a leak repair now means adding an increasingly scarce refrigerant. That changes the math considerably.

We will not sell you a new system when a repair is the right call. We also won't keep recommending repairs on a system that no longer makes sense to maintain. We'll give you the honest picture and let you decide. Call (817) 502-2178 and let's talk through your situation.