Your air conditioner stops cooling on a Friday afternoon in July. A technician comes out and gives you a number that makes your stomach drop. Now you are staring down a decision: do you pay for the repair, or is it time to cut your losses and replace the whole system?
This is one of the most common questions homeowners face, and it is also one of the most important. Make the wrong call and you could spend thousands on a system that keeps breaking down, or replace something that had years of life left in it.
The honest answer is: it depends. But there are some clear signs, useful rules of thumb, and honest questions you can ask to help you figure out the right move. In this article, we will walk you through exactly how to think about it.
In most parts of the country, a central air conditioner lasts around 15 to 20 years. In Florida, that number can be shorter. Here is why: our systems run almost year-round. A unit that gets turned on in March and does not get a break until November is working a lot harder than one in a cooler climate that only runs a few months a year.
Heat pumps, which most Florida homes use, run the compressor in both heating and cooling mode. That means the wear and tear adds up faster. A system here that has reached the 12 to 15 year mark is getting close to the end of its expected life, especially if it has not been regularly maintained.
Age alone does not tell the whole story, but it is the first thing to consider. An older system that needs a major repair is almost always a replacement candidate.
Some problems are worth fixing. Others are a signal that the system is done. Here are the signs that point more toward replacement than repair.
The compressor is the heart of your AC system. When it fails, the repair cost is high and, on an older system, usually not worth it. A compressor replacement can run anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 or more for parts and labor. If your system is already 10 or more years old, spending that much to keep it running for another year or two rarely makes financial sense. Learn more about common causes of compressor failure.
One repair here and there is normal. But if you are calling a technician every season, or multiple times in the same year, that is a pattern. Each repair might seem manageable on its own, but add them up and you may have spent more than a new system would have cost. A system that keeps breaking down is telling you something.
Older systems lose efficiency over time. If your electric bill has been creeping up year after year and nothing else has changed, your AC may be working much harder than it should to cool the same space. A new system with a better SEER2 rating can make a real difference in what you pay every month.
Older systems use a refrigerant called R-22, which is no longer manufactured in the United States. If your system has a refrigerant leak and needs R-22 to recharge it, the cost can be extremely high because the supply is limited. If your system uses R-22, that is a strong signal it is time to move on. Read more about refrigerant regulation changes.
If your system runs constantly but the house still feels humid or uneven, that is a comfort problem that goes beyond a simple repair. It could be an undersized system, ductwork issues, or a system that has just worn down to the point where it can no longer do its job properly.
Repair is often the right call, especially when the system is younger and the problem is isolated. Here are situations where a repair is usually worth it.
There is a simple calculation that HVAC professionals often use to help homeowners make this decision. Take the age of the system and multiply it by the estimated repair cost. If that number exceeds $5,000, replacement is usually the smarter investment.
For example: a 12-year-old system that needs a $500 repair gives you 12 x $500 = $6,000. That number is over $5,000, which means replacement is worth considering. A 5-year-old system needing the same repair gives you 5 x $500 = $2,500, which is comfortably under the threshold and suggests the repair is fine.
This is not a hard rule, but it gives you a useful starting point when you are trying to decide on the spot.
A trustworthy technician should help you understand your options without pushing you toward the most expensive one. Here are some questions worth asking.
At ABS Heating and Air, we do not push replacement unless it genuinely makes sense for you. Our first goal is always to repair it if we can. We share what we find and let you make the call.
Replacement costs vary based on the size of your home, the type of system, and the equipment you choose. For a standard central air or heat pump system in the Ocala area, you are generally looking at a range of $5,000 to $12,000 or more installed, depending on the system size and brand. Learn more about choosing the right HVAC system.
That sounds like a lot, but keep in mind a new system also comes with a warranty. The RUUD systems we install, for example, come with a 10-year parts and compressor warranty, plus a year of labor and maintenance. Mitsubishi systems come with a 12-year parts and compressor warranty. Those warranties mean you are protected from major repair costs during the years when most of the return on your investment happens.
We also offer financing for qualifying customers, so the upfront cost does not have to be a barrier to doing the right thing for your home.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to repairing or replacing your AC. But the decision does not have to be a guessing game. Consider your system’s age, its repair history, the cost of the fix, and what a technician tells you about its overall condition.
If your system is younger and well-maintained, a repair is usually worth it. If it is aging, breaking down regularly, or facing a major component failure, a replacement is likely the smarter long-term move.
When you call ABS Heating and Air, you will get an honest assessment, not a sales pitch. We will tell you what we find and help you decide what actually makes sense for your home and your budget. Contact us for AC repair or AC installation services in Ocala and the surrounding areas.
Common signs include the system not cooling at all, a loud clanking or grinding noise from the outdoor unit, the unit running but not reducing the temperature, or the breaker tripping repeatedly. A technician can confirm it with electrical and pressure testing. A failed compressor on an older system is usually a sign that replacement makes more sense than repair.
Most central AC systems and heat pumps in Florida last between 12 and 15 years with regular maintenance. Because systems here run year-round in both heating and cooling mode, they accumulate more hours than systems in cooler climates. Keeping up with twice-yearly maintenance can help you get closer to that upper end of the range.
It depends on the repair. Minor repairs like a capacitor or contactor are usually worth doing even on a 10-year-old system. Major repairs like a compressor or coil replacement are harder to justify. Use the age-times-repair-cost rule of thumb: multiply the system age by the repair cost. If the result is over $5,000, replacement deserves serious consideration.
A full AC replacement in the Ocala area typically ranges from $5,000 to $12,000 or more, depending on the size of your home and the system type. That price generally includes the equipment, installation, permit, and a new thermostat. Financing options are available for qualifying customers if you need help managing the upfront cost.
Absolutely. For a major decision like this, a second opinion is always smart. A reputable company should welcome the question. At ABS Heating and Air, we offer free estimates and will always explain what we found and why we are recommending what we recommend. You should never feel pressured into a decision on the spot.
Warranties vary by brand and installer. The RUUD systems we install come with a 10-year parts and compressor warranty. Mitsubishi systems come with a 12-year parts and compressor warranty. Both include a 1-year labor warranty and 1 year of maintenance. Always confirm warranty terms in writing before signing anything.