Should you repair or replace your air conditioner?
Repair it if the system is under about 10 years old and the fix is a part like a capacitor, motor or drain. Get a replacement price if it is older, needs a compressor or coil out of warranty, or runs on R-22.
Most repair calls are small. A capacitor or contactor typically costs $150–$400, an outdoor fan motor $350–$850 and a cleared drain line $100–$250, on top of a $75–$150 diagnostic visit. Those are worth doing on almost any system that is otherwise sound. The decision gets harder when the repair is big, the system is old, or both.
How does the $5,000 rule work?
Multiply the system’s age in years by the repair quote. If the answer is over $5,000, price a replacement before you pay for the repair.
It’s a rough industry rule of thumb, but it puts age and cost into one number:
- A 12-year-old heat pump needs a new outdoor fan motor, quoted at $450. 12 years × $450 = $5,400. That’s over the line, so ask for a replacement price before deciding.
- The same repair on a 6-year-old system: 6 × $450 = $2,700. Repair it.
- A 15-year-old system crosses the line with any repair over about $330.
The rule leaves out three things that matter: the refrigerant the system uses, how much of the parts warranty is left, and how much efficiency you would gain. The sections below cover each.
How long do heat pumps last in South Carolina?
About 10 to 15 years, and closer to 10 in the Upstate, where a heat pump cools through a humid summer and does most of the heating in winter. A central AC paired with a gas furnace only runs in summer and often lasts 15 to 20 years.
| System | Typical life |
|---|---|
| Heat pump | 10–15 years, toward 10 here |
| Central AC | 15–20 years |
| Gas furnace | 15–20 years |
| Mini-split | 12–15 years |
ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement for a heat pump or AC older than 10 years and a furnace older than 15. A tune-up each spring and fall, a clean outdoor coil and a correct refrigerant charge help a system reach the long end of its range. HVAC maintenance covers what a visit includes.
What if your system still uses R-22?
Treat any big repair on an R-22 system as a reason to replace it. R-22 production ended in 2020, only reclaimed refrigerant is left, and it costs $125–$250 a pound installed.
New equipment stopped using R-22 in 2010, so a system installed before then most likely runs on it. The refrigerant type is printed on the label on the outdoor unit. A leak on an R-22 system means a leak search ($200–$500), the repair ($300–$1,500) and several pounds of refrigerant at that price. Small repairs, such as a capacitor, are still fine to make while you plan the replacement.
Is it worth repairing an R-410A system?
Usually, for parts and drain problems. Refrigerant leaks are another matter: R-410A has roughly doubled in wholesale price since 2024, so a system that needs a top-up every summer costs more to keep each year.
R-410A runs $60–$110 a pound installed, and a typical top-up costs $200–$650. Servicing R-410A systems is legal. Since January 2025, though, new systems use A2L refrigerants (R-454B or R-32), and a new A2L outdoor unit can’t be paired with an old R-410A indoor coil. If one half of an older split system fails, replacing it usually means replacing both.
When does a compressor or coil failure mean replace?
On a system past about 10 years, usually. Out of warranty, a compressor typically costs $1,500–$3,500 and an evaporator coil $1,200–$3,000, and either one fails the $5,000 rule on an older system.
On a heat pump, a reversing valve ($900–$2,200) falls in the same group. Before deciding, check the warranty. Manufacturers typically cover parts for 10 years when the system was registered within 60 to 90 days of installation, and 5 years if it wasn’t. Labor is usually separate, so a covered compressor still comes with a bill for labor and refrigerant. Ask the contractor to check the serial number with the manufacturer.
How much more efficient is a new system?
A system installed in the 1990s or 2000s was probably rated 10 to 13 SEER. The minimum for a new split heat pump in South Carolina is now 14.3 SEER2, measured under a tougher test, and higher tiers reach 16, 18 and beyond.
SEER2 numbers read lower than the old SEER ratings for the same equipment, so a 14.3 SEER2 heat pump is roughly what used to be sold as 15 SEER. The minimum for a new central AC is 14.3 SEER2 up to 3.5 tons and 13.8 SEER2 at 4 or 5 tons. How much you save depends on how worn the old system is, the ductwork and how you run it, so be wary of anyone quoting a fixed percentage. A new system sized by a Manual J load calculation also handles humidity better than an oversized old one, which counts in a lake-country summer.
When should you call a technician?
When the system stops cooling, trips its breaker, freezes up or starts a new noise. A diagnosis gives you a named part and a price, which is what the $5,000 rule needs.
First check what is safe to check yourself: the filter, the breaker, the thermostat settings, and leaves or grass blocking the outdoor unit. Leave refrigerant, capacitors and wiring to the technician; a capacitor holds a charge even with the power off. If the system is over 10 years old, ask for a repair price and a replacement price on the same visit. Many contractors credit the diagnostic fee toward the repair, so ask about that too.
See AC repair in Seneca and heat pump repair, or get a ballpark for a repair or a new system. If replacing wins, the replacement cost guide has prices by system type and size.