Repair or replace your AC?
There is no single rule. These are the questions that help you decide, and what to ask the contractor for so you can compare.
Start with the system you have
Look at the label on the outdoor unit for the manufacture date and refrigerant. A system using R-22 is expensive to recharge, because that refrigerant is no longer produced. Newer systems are moving away from R-410A to lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32 under federal rules, which affects which parts can be matched.
Then think about how the system has behaved: one failure in years of service is different from three repairs in two summers. And consider comfort. If the house never feels dry, rooms are uneven or bills keep rising, a repair won't change that.
Factors to weigh
Age
Many systems here last somewhere around 10 to 15 years. Older doesn't mean failed, but repairs get harder to justify.
Repair cost
Compare the repair price with the cost of a new system and the system's remaining life.
Failure history
Repeated breakdowns often point to more on the way.
Refrigerant
R-22 systems are costly to recharge. Leaks on any system tend to recur.
Comfort and humidity
Clammy rooms and uneven temperatures may point to sizing or ductwork, not just a failed part.
Efficiency
A newer system with a higher SEER2 rating uses less electricity for the same cooling.
Ask the contractor
Get both options priced
- The repair price, and what else on the system is close to failing.
- A replacement price with model numbers, tonnage and SEER2.
- Whether the ductwork needs work either way.
- Warranty on the repair compared with warranty on new equipment.
Questions about replacing
Can I just replace the outdoor unit?
Sometimes, but matching a new outdoor unit with an old air handler can reduce efficiency and warranty coverage, and newer refrigerants may not be compatible. Ask for both prices.
Is a heat pump a good choice in Ocala?
Heat pumps are a common choice in central Florida's mild winters, because one system handles cooling and heating. The contractor can explain the options for your home.
Does it cost anything to call?
No. The call and the connection are free to you. The contractor you are connected with may pay us for the referral. Whatever you agree with them for the work is between you and that company.
Next step
Related pages
- AC Installation & ReplacementReplacing a worn-out system or adding central air: sizing, equipment choice and installation.
- AC RepairNo cooling, warm air, a humming outdoor unit or a breaker that keeps tripping.
- Ductwork & AirflowLeaky or crushed attic ducts, sweating vents, weak airflow and rooms that never cool.
AC not keeping up?
Talk to a local AC contractor
When you call, say what the system is doing and where the house is. You are connected with an independent heating and cooling contractor that works in your part of Marion County.