Should You Repair or Replace Your AC System?
Homeowner Tips & News
Family Owned & Operated
Trusted & Highly Rated Service
Responsive & Timely Service
Family Owned & Operated
Trusted & Highly Rated Service
Responsive & Timely Service
Should You Repair or Replace Your AC System?
Your AC system is the most expensive appliance within your home. It’s a huge investment in your home comfort, and your home’s energy efficiency. An air conditioner will last between 11 – 18 years depending on the model of the system, and the quality of the install.
As your system ages, repairs become larger, your systems efficiency declines. You will eventually be faced with the question: Should you repair or replace your ac system? We want to shed some light, and hopefully give some guidance on the issue of repairing vs replacing your AC.
What’s the age of your AC system?
0 to 9 years old: Your AC system is likely to continue working efficiently with regular maintenance. You should consider repairs over replacement, unless their has been serious part failures.
10 to 13 years old: Your AC system will endure a lot of wear and tear by 10 to 13 years of use. If you have maintained your AC system well throughout its life, it can still provide ample comfort to your home. However, if you have not maintained it well, your system could face serious failures, leading to replacement.
14 to 18 years old: AC systems need to be replaced between 14 and 18 years old. However, with regular maintenance, your system could potentially squeeze out more years. When deciding whether to repair or replace your AC system, consider the costs involved in both options. Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of your system, but there comes a point when replacement might be the more cost-effective choice.
Takeaway: Regular AC maintenance will help extend the life of your system and decrease the overall cost of ownership you incur. An AC system will last anywhere between 11 years and 18 years, and most manufacturers equipment warranties last between 5 and 10 years.
If your system has a failure before it is 11 years of age, performing a repair on the system will likely be more cost effective and extend the life of your system. However, if your system is over the age of 11 and no longer has an active warranty, replacing the system will be the most effective and efficient thing to do for your home.
What’s the cost of repairing your AC?
More than 30% of replacement cost: If your AC system is over 10 years old, and the cost to repair your ac system is greater than 30% of the cost of a new system, it can be more cost effective to replace your system than to continually repair it.
Less than 30% of replacement cost: If your AC system is less than 10 years old and the repair costs are under 30% of the cost of a new system, it can be more cost-effective to have repairs. Investing in repairs at this stage can extend the lifespan of your system and save you money in the long run. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can keep your system running efficiently without the need for a costly replacement.
Regardless of how well maintained your AC system is, it will age, and experience breakdowns, and require repair. States that experience the highest AC runtimes throughout the day (Florida, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia) will have units receiving the most wear and tear.
What’s your AC unit efficiency?
Unit efficiency should be a huge factor in deciding whether you repair or replace your AC system, and you should consider the average AC runtime where you live. In 2024 the minimum allowable efficiency of units was increased by the EPA. An upgrade from a Seer 10 Unit (Sold up until 2006) to a 16 seer could save you up to 40% on your utility bills.
Is it time for an AC upgrade?
Whether you decide to upgrade your system, or repair it, using the guidelines mentioned above to help guide your decision should help add some clarity! Below is our pricing guide for replacing your AC system:
Average HVAC System Replacement Cost:
- 1.5 Ton: $8,000 – $16,000
- 2 Ton: $8,000 – $16,000
- 2.5 Ton: $8,500 – $18,000
- 3 Ton: $9,000 – $18,500
- 3.5 Ton: $9,500 – $21,000
- 4 Ton: $10,500 – $21,500
- 5 Ton: $11,500 – $23,000
“Hey guys, this is Stephen with Yarbrough and Sons, and we get a lot of questions throughout the year on replacing the HVAC system and what all that entails. What I want to do today is break it down for you a little bit and go over a few things as far as when is the right time to replace your system.”
“Replacing the HVAC system in your home is something that most people don’t think about until the system suffers a catastrophic failure. So the typical life expectancy of an HVAC system in Oklahoma is anywhere between 12 and 15 years, and depending on the manufacturer, the parts warranties will range from 2 to 10 years.”
“This means that when using the higher of both of these values, when the manufacturer’s parts warranty runs out, your HVAC system is at 2/3 of its average life expectancy. Let’s look at this from a different perspective.”
“So on average, a vehicle owner will replace their car every 5 years in Oklahoma. The average driver travels 17,700 miles per year. This means that if the vehicle is new, they replace their vehicle when it’s got about 88,000 miles on it.”
“Now according to Consumer Reports, the average vehicle lasts around 150,000 miles. That means that the average driver will replace their vehicle with 40% of the vehicle’s life left.”
“Now one of the most frequent questions I get asked when talking about replacing the HVAC system in your home is how much does it cost. So a full system replacement by a reputable company in Oklahoma is going to range anywhere from $8,000 to $24,000 based on size, efficiency, and necessary updates for code.”
“Now while that’s a lot of money, there are rebates from equipment manufacturers, local energy companies, there’s also federal tax rebates that can help offset some of those costs. Now installation cost could be lower from September through April when the companies are slower, as opposed to when companies are busier between May and August.”
“So when is the right time for you to replace your HVAC system? Well, if your system is old enough to drive, you might consider replacement. If your system’s reached those rebellious teenage years, you might consider replacement. If your system’s old enough to drink, you should strongly consider replacement.”
“Ultimately, the decision is up to you. You can wait for a catastrophic failure and potentially have to wait a few days to get the system replaced, or you could be proactive and replace the system before it’s an emergency.”
Related Articles on HVAC Costs
- How Much Does it Cost to Replace an AC Contactor?
- How Much Does an AC Compressor Cost?
- How Much Does It Cost to Replace an HVAC System?
About Yarbrough & Sons Heating, Cooling & Plumbing: Yarbrough & Sons has been serving Oklahoma City since 1988, providing top-notch home comfort solutions. With over 450 years of combined experience, our family-owned business is dedicated to quality, comfort, and caring for our community. Trust us for all your HVAC needs.
Proudly Serving Communities Throughout The Oklahoma City Area
Our Service Area
All Service Areas