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 Francisco, CA 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 Francisco, CA
- CLADDAGH REFRIGERATION COMPANY INC · 1434 15TH STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA · (415) 643 9248
- IY DEVELOPMENT & RENOVATION INC · 95 THIRD ST 2ND FLOOR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA · (833) 288 8008
- Wolff Olins · 972 Mission St Fl 2, San Francisco, CA · +14159016410
- Next HVAC and Appliance repair · 1 Henry Adams St Unit S324, San Francisco, CA · 4156550218
- SwiftBreeze HVAC Solutions · 131 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA · +14159306101
- HVAC & Heating Systems Installation San Francisco · 1182 Market St #425, San Francisco, CA · +15103594177
- Genhome Hvac · 222 Mason St, San Francisco, CA · +14158348700
- Rich Air Duct Cleaning · 2261 Market St, San Francisco, CA · +14156870015
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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.