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 Denver, CO 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 Denver, CO
- Motili · 1900 Wazee St #1533, Denver, CO · +18006699656
- US HVAC Home Service Denver · 1881 Curtis St #2C, Denver, CO · (719) 399-1053
- Pro HVAC Denver · 600 17th St, Denver, CO · +18003036170
- Aether Mechanical · 1630 Welton St, Denver, CO · +13034147770
- Med Air Pro · 290 Park Ave W #118, Denver, CO · (720) 369-7063
- Thermiq Services, Llc · 2590 Welton St Ste 200 Pmb 1010, Denver, CO · 13032183388
- Zero Homes · 3120 Blake St, Denver, CO · +13038488606
- Mile High Air Duct · 3200 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO · +17204697519
Get free quotes from Denver, CO 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.