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 Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA
- Hungerford Heating & Cooling · 1604 E Broad St, Richmond, VA · 18046484703
- Armstrong Mechanical Services Inc · 1011 E Main St Ste 214, Richmond, VA · 8045412622
- Kelleher Hvac · 1301 School St, Richmond, VA · 18046497501
- Tuckahoe Heating and Cooling LLC · 1129 Gaskins Rd #202, Henrico, VA · +15402933975
- Booker Heating And Air Conditioning, LLC · 1723 Byron St, RICHMOND, VA · 8046525971
- Commonwealth Heating And Contractors Inc · 3200 Milburn Ave, Richmond, VA · +18042221365
- Samson Insulation · 1321 Maxie Ln, Richmond, VA · (804) 373-7196
- 1st Due Solutions, LLC · 4248 Oakley Ct Ste H, Richmond, VA · 8048522279
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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.