Should I repair or replace my air conditioner?
Air conditioners have a hard rule of thumb: if the system is over 10 years old and the compressor or refrigerant circuit has failed, replacement almost always wins — modern A+++ inverter units use 30–50% less power. Capacitor, fan motor and thermostat faults are cheap and worth fixing on any unit under 12 years old.
Updated April 25, 2026
- · Repair economics
- · Replacement price logic
- · Expected lifespan
- · Safety considerations
Live market data isn't available yet for this air conditioner
You can still get an honest repair-or-replace verdict — the calculator works fully with a manual replacement price. Here's how to estimate one well:
- ·Look up a comparable like-for-like new model from a reputable retailer.
- ·Avoid the cheapest unknown listings — they distort the benchmark.
- ·Include delivery, installation and disposal of the old unit.
- ·Subtract any realistic resale or trade-in value to get net replacement cost.
- ·Use a typical mid-range price, not the absolute cheapest or most premium.
We never show fabricated prices. If a live snapshot isn't there, it's because we don't have reliable offers for this category right now.
- · Replacement prices are fetched from configured live price providers when available.
- · The benchmark uses reliable in-stock offers — not the cheapest random listing.
- · Manual inputs are used when live data is unavailable; we never fabricate prices.
- · Repair costs are user-supplied unless clearly labelled as estimates.
- · Prices change. Always confirm before purchasing.
When repair makes sense — and when it doesn't
Repair when…
- ·Unit is under 10 years old
- ·Fault is capacitor, fan motor, thermostat or remote
- ·Refrigerant top-up only (no leak)
- ·Repair is under 30% of replacement
Replace when…
- ·Compressor failed and unit is 8+ years old
- ·Major refrigerant leak in the indoor or outdoor coil
- ·It uses R-22 (phased-out refrigerant)
- ·Energy bill payback for an inverter model is under 5 years
Common air conditioner failures
Honest verdicts based on typical repair cost vs. remaining lifespan.
| Fault | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitor failed | Repair | Cheap part, fast fix — common cause of 'won't start'. |
| Fan motor noisy / stopped | Repair | Reasonable cost on any unit under 12 years. |
| Refrigerant leak | Borderline → usually replace | Finding and sealing leaks is labour-heavy. On older units, replacement wins. |
| Compressor failed | Replace if 8+ years old | Compressor jobs commonly hit 60%+ of new. |
Common problems that move the needle
These are the failure areas the TopOrHop calculator weighs when scoring your air conditioner. Severity and repair complexity directly influence the recommendation.
| Failure area | Severity | Repair complexity | Effect on recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air filter clogged | Usually minor | Low | Pushes the score toward repair — small cost, big remaining value. |
| Thermostat / remote | Usually minor | Low | Pushes the score toward repair — small cost, big remaining value. |
| Capacitor | Often moderate | Moderate | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Fan motor (indoor or outdoor) | Often moderate | Moderate | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Drainage line blocked | Usually minor | Low | Pushes the score toward repair — small cost, big remaining value. |
| Frozen evaporator coil | Often moderate | Moderate | Decision depends on age and quote. Run the calculator. |
| Refrigerant low / leak | Can be major | High | Pushes the score toward replacement on older units. |
| Compressor | Can be major | High | Pushes the score toward replacement on older units. |
| Control board | Can be major | High | Pushes the score toward replacement on older units. |
We don't list precise repair costs here — they vary too much by region, brand and labour rates. Your actual quote drives the decision in the calculator.
- ·Refrigerant work is regulated — only certified technicians may handle it.
- ·Always isolate at the breaker before any inspection.
- ·Old units with R-22 must be safely recovered, not vented to atmosphere.
Read the full methodology — inputs, scoring, lifespan model, confidence weighting, and what we never include.
Worked example
11-year-old split AC, compressor failed
Repair is 68% of a much more efficient new unit. Energy savings alone recoup the difference inside 4 years.
This is an illustrative example. Run the calculator with your actual figures for your specific recommendation.
Run the numbers on your air conditioner
We'll combine your repair quote, the live replacement benchmark above, lifespan and reliability into one transparent recommendation — with confidence and next steps.
Start the air conditioner repair or replace calculatorFAQ
How long does an air conditioner last?
Window units 8–12 years; ducted and split inverter systems 12–18 years with annual servicing.
Is recharging refrigerant worth it?
Only if you also find and seal the leak. Otherwise it's just delaying replacement.
How much can a new AC save on power?
A modern A+++ inverter typically uses 30–50% less than a 10-year-old fixed-speed unit.
Read next: deciding well
Five short guides that cover the most common questions about your air conditioner decision.
When the classic 'half of new' shortcut works — and when it misleads.
Sanity-check the quote, ask the right questions, decide objectively.
Age shifts the math more than most people realise.
Reliable offers beat random low-ball listings — here's why.
When a refurb of a newer unit beats fixing your old one.
Affiliate disclosure. Some replacement offers below may earn us a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate compensation does not influence the repair-or-replace recommendation — that is calculated from your inputs and benchmark prices before any offers are shown.