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 San Antonio, TX 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 San Antonio, TX
- Air time · San Antonio, TX · +12109004232
- Crown Heating & Cooling San Antonio · 919 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX · +17262684631
- San Antonio Air Conditioning and Repair · 889 E Market St, San Antonio, TX · +12108532763
- Clean Air Heating & Air Conditioning · 115 E Myrtle St, San Antonio, TX · 12103707333
- Air Plus San Antonio LLC · 315 Drake Ave, San Antonio, TX · +12109977587
- AZ Tech America · 438 W Baylor St, San Antonio, TX · +12108188932
- AAA Prestige AC and Heating · Center St, San Antonio, TX · +12106297523
- Aac Air Conditioning San Antonio · 627 Burnet St, San Antonio, TX · (210) 764-9863
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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.