Diagnosis
What failed, what measurements support that conclusion, and whether the failure is isolated or connected to another condition.
Repair or replace?
Compare two complete plans—not one repair price and one sales pitch.
There is no honest universal formula that can make this decision from age and repair cost alone. Use the factors and advisor below to build the questions a contractor should answer.
Repair-or-replace advisor
Turn the sales decision into a question list.
Adjust five facts. The tool organizes your next questions; it does not diagnose equipment or estimate savings.
New10 years20+ years
Use the written total, including labor and related work.
Repair-first questions
Start with a clear diagnosis.
The information you entered does not strongly point toward replacement. Ask for the failure cause, the complete repair scope, and the parts-and-labor warranty before authorizing work.
Take these questions with you
Planning aid only. A qualified professional must inspect the system.- What failed, and what measurements confirm the diagnosis?
- What is included in the repair, and what parts and labor warranty applies?
Six decision areas
What a useful comparison includes.
Repair scope
Every included part and task, what is excluded, and the parts-and-labor warranty.
Equipment age and condition
Age matters, but so do maintenance history, corrosion, coil condition, compressor condition, electrical wear, and previous repairs.
Comfort performance
Humidity, hot or cold rooms, airflow, noise, and runtime can point to system or house problems that a new box alone may not fix.
Replacement design
Capacity should be supported by a load calculation, with matched equipment, airflow, ducts, controls, drainage, electrical, and permits addressed.
Ownership cost
Compare complete installed price, warranty, likely near-term repair exposure, maintenance needs, and realistic energy assumptions.
Ask for both paths in writing
The repair option.
- Confirmed cause and measurements
- Itemized parts and labor
- Warranty and exclusions
- Other components inspected
- Expected operating condition after repair
When replacement is being considered
The replacement option.
- Load calculation and proposed capacity
- Complete matched-system model numbers
- Duct, airflow, humidity, drain, and electrical scope
- Permit, disposal, startup, and commissioning
- Parts, labor, registration, and maintenance terms