Should you repair or replace your system?
Answer two quick questions for an honest recommendation, worked out the same way our technicians think it through in your home.
Step 1 — System age
Check the equipment tag on your indoor or outdoor unit, or the install date if you have it.
10years old
Step 2 — Repair costs
The repair you’re deciding on right now.
Service calls, parts and labor. Enter 0 if none.
Results use typical equipment lifespans and a repair-cost-times-age rule adjusted for Central Valley prices, assuming a new system costs $15,000–$25,000 installed. Every home is different. Call us for a free, no-pressure assessment.
Three numbers, one score out of 100
The higher the score, the stronger the case for replacing. Here’s what goes into it.
System age
Points start at 10 years and climb steeply after 14. Most Central Valley systems last 15–20 years, and our summers are hard on them.
Repair cost × age
The classic rule of thumb, measured against a $20,000 new system. On systems under 11 years old it's capped, so one big repair can't write off a young system.
A year of repair bills
Today's estimate plus what you've spent in the past 12 months. Repeat repairs are often the clearest sign a system is wearing out.
Repair · 0–27
The system has life left. Fix it and keep it maintained.
Worth considering · 28–57
Either choice can make sense. Get repair and replacement prices side by side.
Replace · 58–100
More money into this system is unlikely to pay off.
Want the full picture?
Our guide covers what the numbers can’t: refrigerant phase-outs, efficiency savings, rebates and the signs a system is wearing out.
Read: Should I repair or replace my HVAC system? →Repair or replace, answered
What is the $5,000 rule for HVAC repair or replace?
Multiply the repair cost by the system's age in years. Under the old rule, a result over $5,000 meant replace. That number was set when new systems cost far less. Our calculator compares the result to today's Central Valley installed price instead, typically $15,000–$25,000.
How long does an AC or heat pump last in Fresno?
Most last about 15–20 years. Long, 100°F-plus summers mean more run hours than in milder climates, so systems here often sit at the lower end of that range, especially without yearly maintenance.
Is the calculator's answer final?
No. It's a quick, honest starting point based on the numbers you enter. A technician still needs to check things like refrigerant type, efficiency, duct condition and comfort problems before you spend money either way.
Will you push me to replace?
No. If a repair is the better call, we'll tell you. When replacement is on the table, we show you the repair price and the replacement options side by side so you can decide.