TruFlo guide
Should you repair or replace your AC?
A practical TruFlo guide to discussing a repair or replacement recommendation for an air conditioning system.
Start with the system in front of you
A repair or replacement recommendation starts with the condition of the equipment, its repair history, its warranty status, and how it is serving the home.
The right next step comes from an on-site diagnosis and a clear explanation of the available work.
Use the rules as a conversation guide
The rules below help frame a repair or replacement conversation. They do not replace a diagnosis, and they do not make the decision for a homeowner.
TruFlo repair or replace rules
These are TruFlo rules for discussing an AC system. They are not industry statistics. A technician confirms the condition on site.
| Lean | TruFlo rule |
|---|---|
| Rule of thumb | As a rule of thumb, replacement starts to make sense when a repair would cost more than 50% of a replacement, and a technician confirms that on site. |
| depends | Under about 10 years, a repair is usually the lean, unless the system has a refrigerant leak in a spot that cannot be repaired. |
| depends | Between about 10 and 15 years it depends on the refrigerant, the remaining parts warranty, the repair history and the repair cost against replacement. |
| replace | Over about 15 years the lean is replacement, unless the system is still under parts warranty, has not needed repeat repairs, and the repair is small next to a new system. |
| replace | A system still on R-22 leans replacement, because R-22 is being phased out, is getting more expensive, and matching equipment is getting harder to find. |
| repair | A system still under parts warranty leans repair. |
| replace | Two or three repairs in the last two years leans replacement. |
| replace | A home that will not come down under 78 degrees, after a technician has confirmed the system is working properly and the house is well insulated and sealed, leans replacement. |
| depends | Ductwork generally lasts about 15 to 20 years, and a technician confirms its condition on site. |
Sources
- TruFlo A/C & Heating repair-or-replace guidance (fetched 2026-09-17)