Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old AC unit or replacing it?
Use the $5,000 rule: multiply the unit's age by the repair quote — if the product is over $5,000, replacement usually wins. At 15 years, a repair over ~$350 fails the test. Also decisive: if your unit uses R-22 refrigerant (phased out), any refrigerant repair is money into a dying system — replace.
Likely causes
- Refrigerant type — R-22 systems (pre-2010) face scarce, expensive refrigerant — the strongest replace signal.
- Compressor condition — A failed compressor on a 15-year-old unit is almost never worth replacing alone.
- Repair history — Two or more repairs in the last two summers means the system is telling you something.
What you can check yourself
- Do the $5,000 math with the actual quote before deciding.
- Ask what the repair buys you: a $300 capacitor fix is different from a $1,800 coil.
- Get the replacement quote while the tech is there — it's free information either way.
Typical cost
Common repairs run $150–$600 (capacitor, fan motor) up to $1,500–$2,500 (coil). Full system replacement in Atlanta, GA typically runs $6,500–$12,000 installed.
When to call a pro
If the unit is 15+, uses R-22, or the quote tops $1,000, get a second opinion before approving — this is the highest-pressure sales moment in home services.
HVAC pros in Atlanta, GA
- A&K Heating and Air Conditioning · PO Box 162849, Atlanta, GA · 7709616016
- Aerotech Smart Solutions · 201 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA · +14694284079
- A.d. Campbell Hvac Services · 260 Peachtree St Nw Ste 2200, Atlanta, GA · 14048828226
- Apollo Ducts Services · 81 Walton St NW, Atlanta, GA · +19432211840
- Johnson's Heating & Air · Atlanta, GA · +16788732451
- Best Handyman · 41 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA · +14043820686
- Maintenance Unlimited Heating & Cooling · 165 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA · +14044542686
- Tom Bunch Inc. · 82 Richardson St SE, Atlanta, GA · 7703168390
Get free quotes from Atlanta, GA pros →
Data by Servik — verified local pros from official license records and public sources. Cost figures are typical ranges, not quotes; a pro's written estimate is the real number.