Repair or replace? How to decide

Start with the age of the system

Heating and cooling equipment lasts a long time, but not forever. Commonly quoted ranges are:

• Furnaces: about 15 to 20 years
• Boilers: about 15 to 30 years, depending on the type
• Air conditioners and heat pumps: about 10 to 15 years
• Tank water heaters: about 8 to 12 years

How hard a system works and how well it was maintained move these numbers a lot. A system near the end of its range that needs a costly repair is usually a good candidate for replacement.

Count the repairs

One repair in ten years is normal wear. Several repairs over two or three seasons usually means more are on the way, and the money may do more good in a new system.

Compare the repair with the cost of new

A rule of thumb many people use: when a repair costs around half of what a new system would, or more, replacing usually makes more sense, especially on an older system.

Safety comes first

Some problems end a system's life on their own. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace can let carbon monoxide into the home. On an older furnace it usually means replacement rather than repair.

Older air conditioners and R-22

Many air conditioners and heat pumps installed before 2010 use a refrigerant called R-22, which is no longer made or imported in the United States. Repairs that need more of it can get expensive, which tips the decision toward replacing.

Comfort and running costs

Rooms that never feel right, a system that runs constantly, and energy bills that keep climbing are all signs of equipment that is wearing out. Newer equipment is generally more efficient than systems built 15 or 20 years ago.

How we help you decide

When we see the system, we tell you what we find and what the repair costs before any work starts. If replacing makes more sense, we say so and give you that price too. The choice is yours.

Read more about repairs and replacements.