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Emergency Service
Should You Repair or Replace?
Answer a couple questions to quickly get feedback on whether to repair or replace your HVAC unit. Follow the $5,000 rule of thumb or dive deeper with a guide to discover the best solution for you.
Your safety matters!
Some damage to your system, like carbon monoxide and gas leaks, can be lethal. In those situations, a replacement is necessary. Help prevent emergencies before they happen with seasonal maintenance checkups by a professional HVAC technician.
Where do you go from here?
Step 1
Research your needs
Consider your home comfort level, climate, ductwork, energy use, and desired monthly heating and cooling costs.
Step 2
Get a dealer quote
Schedule a visit with your dealer for a custom recommendation. Visit our Dealer Locator page for a list of questions to discuss with your dealer.
Step 3
Fix or upgrade your unit
Gather all your information to make a replace or repair decision. Follow up with your dealer and enjoy your new or improved HVAC.
Further repair or replace guidance
Fill out these 2 checklists. Put a check next to items that apply to you and your system. At the bottom, view your total number of checkmarks for each checklist. More checkmarks under either Repair or Replace means that may be the better option for you.
Repair if...
- A/C: 12-15 years
- Furnace: 15-20 years
- Heat Pump: 15-20 years
If this is your 1st or 2nd repair, your system may still have a lot of value left. A repair may be your best option.
Consider long-term value. The less time you plan to stay, you will get less value from a new system compared to its cost.
- Airflow strength
- Full room or full house coverage
- Time taken to change temperature
- Ability to reach desired temperature
- Outdated technology
- Lower efficiency with a lower SEER rating (8-9)
- Outdated technology lowers energy efficiency and drives up monthly costs
- Cost of purchase
- Higher efficiency with a higher SEER rating (13-22)
- Standard model can save 20-40% in monthly costs
- Energy Star certified models save additional 15%
Use this page’s Repair or Replace tool or this formula:
Age of your product x repair cost < $5,000
- A/C: Over 10 SEER
- Furnace: Over 80% AFUE
- Heat Pump: Over 10 SEER or 8 HSPF
Replace if...
- A/C: 12-15 years
- Furnace: 15-20 years
- Heat Pump: 15-20 years
Frequent repairs likely mean your system is on its way out and has other hidden issues that will appear after this repair.
- Airflow strength
- Full room or full house coverage
- Time taken to change temperature
- Ability to reach desired temperature
Consider long-term value. The longer you plan to stay, you will get more value from a newly-bought system.
- Outdated technology
- Lower efficiency with a lower SEER rating (8-9)
- Outdated technology lowers energy efficiency and drives up monthly costs
- Cost of purchase
- Higher efficiency with a higher SEER rating (13-22)
- Standard model can save 20-40% in monthly costs
- Energy Star certified models save additional 15%
Use this page’s Repair or Replace tool or this formula:
Age of your product x repair cost > $5,000
- A/C: 10 SEER or less
- Furnace: Over 80% AFUE or less
- Heat Pump: 10 SEER or less; HSPF or less
Critical
Your unit uses R-22 Freon. This refrigerant is being phased out as R-22 Freon is harmful to the ozone layer.
FAQs
The $5,000 rule is an industry accepted guideline that helps homeowners make a financial decision about their HVAC system. First, multiply the age of your system by the repair cost. If the outcome is over $5,000, you should probably replace. If the outcome is under $5,000, you should probably repair.
At this time, the best way to get a repair estimate is to speak with a dealer. No worries, you can use the guide above to get some guidance even without a repair estimate.
A number of factors can affect your system’s lifespan. Running your A/C or heater nonstop, mixing old and new parts in a system, or poor installation can lead to frequent repairs or an early breakdown of your system. Protect your HVAC system’s health with regular seasonal maintenance visits from your dealer. This will help maintain your system and help catch any issues early on before they become emergencies.
In non-emergency situations, you can try a few troubleshooting tips like changing your filter, turning a unit’s power on/off, or resetting your thermostat. For a detailed guide, check out the Trane Troubleshooting page!
Caution: Avoid experimenting and never troubleshoot if you have an emergency. Call an HVAC professional instead who can safely diagnose your system’s issue and advise next steps.
We highly recommend replacing the whole system as not all products are compatible. While in some cases it is possible to only replace a part, mixing old and new parts or multiple brands in a system can lead to early repairs or higher monthly costs due to an inefficient system. Talk with your dealer or check out the Buyer’s Guide to find the best option for you.
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