Repair vs. replace is the decision of whether to fix failing heating or cooling equipment or install a new system. It weighs system age against expected life, repair cost against replacement cost, repair history, refrigerant type, and how long you will stay. A common starting point is the 50% rule on repair cost.
Why it matters to you
Fraser Valley summers are hotter than they used to be, and replacement lead times stretch exactly when heat waves hit, so an air conditioner or heat pump on the bubble is best decided in spring, not August. Furnaces here are typically judged against a 15 to 20 year life.
Practical guidance
Ask for the repair quote and the replacement quote at the same visit and compare them side by side. A second major repair inside two seasons, or rising bills without a rate or habit change, is the system telling you something.
What is the 50% rule for HVAC repair?
If a repair costs more than half the price of a comparable new system, or the air conditioner is past 12 to 15 years old, replacement usually wins. A stricter version applies to older equipment: on a system past about two thirds of its expected life, a repair costing more than about a third of replacement usually tips the decision. Below those thresholds, a quality repair on a well-maintained system is money well spent.
When is replacement not a judgement call?
A cracked heat exchanger ends the discussion. So does a compressor failure on a system out of warranty and past twelve years, and any repair on obsolete refrigerant, such as R-22, where parts are no longer available.
When is repair clearly the right choice?
Capacitors, contactors, fan motors, and thermostat faults on a system under ten years old are routine repairs, and there is no reason to replace a healthy system over a wear item. Repair also makes sense on a system you are keeping through a sale, where a working unit matters more than an efficient one.
Does efficiency factor into replacing an older system?
Yes. A 15-year-old air conditioner can use nearly twice the electricity of a modern replacement for the same cooling, so the running-cost gap belongs in the comparison alongside the repair price. If you are switching to a heat pump, check current rebate programs before you decide.