The 50% Rule

The most commonly used guideline in the HVAC industry is simple: if the cost of a repair exceeds 50% of the cost of a new system, replacement usually makes more financial sense. But it's not the only factor.

Signs It's Time to Replace

• Your system is 12+ years old
• You've needed repairs more than once in the past 2 years
• Your energy bills have been creeping up year after year
• Your system uses R-22 refrigerant (phased out - now very expensive to service)
• Your home has persistent humidity problems even when the AC is running
• The repair costs more than $1,500 on an older system

Signs a Repair Makes More Sense

• Your system is under 8 years old
• The repair is straightforward - a capacitor, contactor, or refrigerant charge
• The system has been well maintained and is otherwise running well
• The repair cost is under $500

What to Expect From a New System

Modern high-efficiency systems - especially those with SEER ratings of 16 or higher - can reduce your cooling costs by 20-40% compared to an older system. In Florida's year-round cooling climate, the payback period on a new high-SEER system can be as short as 3-5 years.