Homeowner guide
Repair or replace?
When an older system needs a costly repair, it's worth stepping back before you spend the money. These are the things we'd weigh.
Age
Most air conditioners and heat pumps last roughly 10–15 years. Gas furnaces often last 15–20. A system near the end of that range is more likely to need another repair soon.
The $5,000 rule of thumb
Multiply the system's age by the repair cost. If the result is more than $5,000, replacing is usually worth a serious look. For example, a 12-year-old system with a $500 repair comes to $6,000. It's a starting point for the conversation, not a hard rule.
Refrigerant
Systems that use R-22 (often called Freon) are getting expensive to repair, because R-22 hasn't been produced or imported in the U.S. since 2020. A major refrigerant repair on an R-22 system is often the tipping point. See Refrigerants explained.
Comfort and bills
Rooms that never get comfortable, high humidity in summer, rising bills and frequent repairs are all reasons to consider replacing, even when the current repair is small.
What a new system from Comfort Zone includes
- Equipment sized to your house
- Outdoor unit, furnace or air handler, coil, line set and thermostat installed as one job
- A one-year labor warranty
- Two maintenance visits in the first year