When something goes wrong with your HVAC system, you have the choice to pay for an HVAC repair or get an entirely new system. For quick and easy issues, the repair is the obvious solution. However, there are cases where the situation isn’t as cut and dry.


Some major repairs can be extremely expensive. If the cost of the repair is more than the cost of a new system, it’s time to treat yourself to an upgrade. Remember, in some cases, you may be able to offset the cost as there are often local or state tax credits for purchasing energy-efficient systems.

If the cost of a new system and the repair are relatively close, you should consider potential savings due to efficiency. Modern systems tend to be much more efficient than their older counterparts. An HVAC repair technician can help you figure out how much you are likely to save over a few months or even a year. Then, you can decide if the cumulative savings make the change to a new system worth it.


Sometimes, you need to consider more than just the numbers. If you have an old, inefficient HVAC system and you want to reduce the size of your carbon footprint, you may want to buy a new system. Keep in mind, however, that some preventative HVAC repairs can actually improve the efficiency of your system.


HVAC systems last about 12 to 15 years. If your system is nearing the end of its lifespan, you may not want to spend money on a repair. Additionally, when your system starts to break down due to old age, it’s usually not a one-off situation. In most cases, you’re likely to face repair after repair. You may want to cut your losses and just go for a new unit.


In some cases, repairs become necessary because you have the wrong size heating and cooling unit. For instance, if your system is constantly cycling on because it’s actually too small for your home, that overuse can cause you to need an AC repair or a heating repair, and in those cases, you may just want to upgrade to a larger system.


When you are selling a home, you probably don’t want to incur a lot of extra costs, but you have to think about how a broken HVAC system may affect your buyers. In some cases, prospective buyers may even put in a lower offer if your HVAC system is old or in disrepair. In these cases, instead of paying for an HVAC repair, you may just want to get a new HVAC system. In a competitive market, that can even help to increase your chances of a sale.