AC Repair
Is My AC Worth Repairing? The $5,000 Rule for LA Homeowners
When does it pay to fix the old condenser vs. replace? Here's the simple math we use on every second opinion.
March 28, 2026 5 min read
The $5,000 rule
Multiply the repair cost by the system's age in years. If the result is over $5,000, replacement usually wins. A $400 repair on a 14-year-old system ($5,600) is a band-aid; a $400 repair on a 6-year-old system ($2,400) is a no-brainer.
When repair is the right call
Capacitors, contactors, fan motors, and refrigerant leaks under warranty are almost always worth fixing, even on older systems. We've kept many 15+ year LA condensers running for under $300.
If your system uses R-410A and the compressor is healthy, repair is usually fine. R-22 systems (pre-2010) are a different story, refrigerant cost alone can justify replacement.
Get a second opinion before signing
If a competitor quoted $15k+ for replacement, get our free second opinion. We've saved LA homeowners thousands by finding repairs that other companies missed.