When should I replace my AC instead of repairing it?

Replace when the unit is over 12 years old, uses R-22 refrigerant, or the repair quote is more than half the cost of a new system. Replace on a failed compressor in an older unit — that's the most expensive part.

Why does R-22 refrigerant force a replacement?

R-22 (Freon) was phased out and is now scarce and expensive. If an older AC leaks R-22, a recharge can cost more than the unit is worth, and it will leak again. That usually tips the decision to replace.

What is the 50% rule for air conditioners?

If the repair costs more than 50% of a new system, replace. For AC in the back half of its 12–18 year life, drop the threshold to about 30% — you're paying to repair a unit that's near the end anyway.

How long does a central AC last?

Central AC lasts 12–18 years; heat pumps 12–18 years (they run year-round and wear faster). Past year 12, budget for replacement even if it's still cooling.

What does AC replacement cost in 2026?

Central AC unit only: $3,500–$8,000. Full system with a matched furnace: $8,000–$18,000. A new AC often can't pair with an old furnace by code, which is why a repair sometimes becomes a system quote.

Repair or replace your air conditioner?

Your AC quits in a heat wave, and the technician's quote comes with a question: fix this one, or put the money toward a new system? The right answer depends on three things — the unit's age, what refrigerant it uses, and how big the quote is relative to a replacement.

The age test

Central AC and heat pumps last 12–18 years. Heat pumps run year-round, so they wear toward the lower end.

Under 10 years: repair. A capacitor, contactor, or fan motor is a cheap, sensible fix.
10–14 years: the gray zone — decided by the refrigerant test and the size of the quote below.
Over 14 years: lean toward replacement, especially on any major-component failure.

The R-22 test (this one's decisive)

If your AC was installed before about 2010, it may run on R-22 refrigerant (Freon), which has been phased out. R-22 is now scarce and expensive, so:

A refrigerant leak on an R-22 system can cost more to recharge than the unit is worth.
It will leak again — you're paying premium prices to refill a system that's losing charge.

An R-22 unit with a refrigerant problem is usually a replace, not a repair. Newer systems use R-410A or R-454B and don't have this trap.

The 50% rule

If the repair costs more than 50% of a new system, replace. For an AC in the back half of its life, drop that threshold to about 30% — you'd be paying to repair a unit that's near the end regardless.

The most expensive failure is a dead compressor. On an older unit, a failed compressor almost always tips the decision to replacement — you're rebuilding the heart of a system that's aging everywhere else.

What replacement costs in 2026

Central AC unit only runs $3,500–$8,000. A full system with a matched furnace runs $8,000–$18,000. A new AC often can't legally pair with an old furnace by efficiency-matching code, which is why a "just the AC" job sometimes becomes a full-system quote. See the full HVAC cost breakdown and our methodology.

The bottom line

Repair a young AC with a small failure. Replace an old one, an R-22 one with a leak, or any unit facing a compressor job. Knowing your AC's age and refrigerant before the technician arrives keeps the decision yours instead of theirs.

Also worth reading: repair or replace your furnace and how long a roof lasts.