Repair or Replace? Expert Advice on Making the Right Decision for Your HVAC Unit

By Aztil – December 4, 2024

Air conditioners last between 10 and 20 years depending on the model, maintenance, and climate. Some have long lifespans while others fail early. While there is no exact date, the time to replace your AC is based on when it needs repairs, and how serious those repairs become. Deciding whether to repair or replace your HVAC is crucial for your home’s comfort, budget, and energy efficiency. Consider new regulations like the AIM Act 2025. If you want to save time and money while ensuring reliable heating and cooling, we can help you determine the best course based on several important factors.

1. Age of the Unit

Most AC units have a lifespan of 10-20 years, with an average reliable performance of 15 years. If your AC is over 10 years old, consider a replacement rather than repairs. An AC unit loses efficiency as it ages, leading to higher energy bills and more frequent repairs. Eventually, it will be more cost-effective to replace instead of continuing repairs.

The AIM Act 2025

The AIM Act will phase out older eco-harmful refrigerants that pose global warming risks. Older ACs may become more costly if they use banned refrigerants like R-401A. If your old AC has a refrigerant leak, it may be a good time to upgrade.

2. Cost of Repairs vs. Replacement

The 50% rule states that if a repair costs 50% or more of the cost of a new appliance, then replacement is the wise choice. You will get better performance from a new unit, so the other half of the price will pay itself back quickly compared to the lost expense of repairing a unit that will continue to fail and need more costly repairs in the future.

With the AIM Act, you can also be certain that HVAC replacements in 2024 will all be manufactured with eco-friendly refrigerants. An upgrade will be good for the environment, more efficient, and cheaper for many years.

3. Energy Efficiency and Your Utility Bills

How energy-efficient is your old HVAC unit? HVACs have to use more electricity for heating and cooling as the years go by. A steady increase in your seasonal power bills can mean your HVAC will cost more than you realize. Repairing an older unit may come with that half-hidden higher cost of continued operation.

Upgrading to a more efficient new HVAC comes with advanced technology, a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, and lower power bills. With the AIM Act, newer systems also use low-GWP refrigerants, making them eco-friendlier and more efficient, leading to lower utility bills.

4. Frequency of Breakdowns

Constant repairs are a sign that your AC will continue to fall. If repairs are more than once a year, it’s probably time to schedule your HVAC replacement. The AIM Act phase-down also means it will become more costly to service older units with phased-out refrigerants.

5. Indoor Comfort and Air Quality

An older HVAC may struggle to keep up with your home’s air needs. If you notice hot and cold spots, the blower fan or motor fails to push enough air evenly through the house. If you notice poor air quality, it could mean a failure of filtration or humidity control.

A newer system that meets the AIM Act standards provides advanced efficiency and environmental controls. You can ensure perfect air balance and reduce pollutants and allergens in your home.

6. Environmental Impact and AIM Act Compliance

The AIM Act 2025 ensures that new HVAC units are more eco-friendly than older models by phasing out high-GWP refrigerants. New systems will reduce your carbon footprint with eco-friendly refrigerants and more efficient electricity use.

7. Current Rebates and Incentives

If now is the right time to replace your HVAC, several great savings opportunities are available. Many utility companies offer rebates, discounts, and other incentives for purchasing a new high-efficiency AIM Act-compliant system. You can use these savings to reduce the upfront costs of your energy-saving upgrade. This is a chance to reduce installation costs and start saving immediately with lower seasonal power bills.

Making the Best Choice for Your Home

Should you repair your HVAC or plan to replace it? Consider your system’s age, repair frequency, seasonal power bills, and your current home comfort. If now is the right time to replace, take advantage of the savings and quality upgrades inspired by the AIM Act 2025, which drives eco-friendly and energy-efficient changes in the HVAC industry.

What Our Clients Think Of Us

Excellent

Aztil Air Conditioning

Based on 1584 reviews

See all reviews

review us on

Bonnie Campbell

Niko was fabulilous. Diagnosis and repair was done quickly and efficiently

Inflammation Alleviation

Michael was great!! 😊

Elaine Rosenthal

Dana was a lovely repairman who was quick to go the extra mile to get the piece (on the same day), to fix my air conditioner.

Patricia George

Juan was the best, very professional and knowledgeable.

Donna Johnson

Niko was great. Very personable and professional. I hope I'm able to have him come back next time the A/C needs service.

marcia kimmel

Nikowas an excellent tech who was promo and efficient . Very helpful great job cleared my drain line

Michele Sanders

Technician Antonio was absolutely amazing and professional. He fixed my water leak from my air conditioner and it’s running perfectly. I highly recommend Antonio and give him 5 stars.

Dee Prisco

Today the technician Dana Dussualt came over to replace an old dirty, moldy fiberglass in our air intake. It was a yucky job and he did the service so professionally. We were so happy with the finish product. I would definitely recommend him and Aztil.

Nancy Berdon

I had guest coming into town and Alex saved the day! My 1st floor AC unit suddenly stopped working. Aztil squeezed me in right away and Alex fixed the problem in no time. He was also super nice - a pleasure to work with!

Valerie Gumina

Michael King did a great job with my maintenance today! He always communicates when he’s on his way, and always has a smile to offer.

Susan Diamond

Niko was here this morning, on time, and is polite, courteous and professional!! He completed the maintenance and reviewed my ultra violet and changed my filter - just a pleasant experience - !!

Response from the owner:Hi Susan Diamond, thank you for sharing your positive experience with Dana. We're glad to hear that he was punctual, polite, and professional during the thermostat installation. It's great to know that he took the time to explain the operating instructions to you in detail. We appreciate your feedback and hope you enjoy using your new thermostat.

Ana A

Cody was amazing. He was knowledgeable, personable, and thourow. Aztil is very lucky to have such capable hand working for them.

Response from the owner:Hi Ana, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Antonio did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Lois Culicelli

Michael King. Was very easy to work with and he is focused on providing a good client experience. He is an asset to your company

Robert Masse

Niko was great , polite and thorugh highly recommend

Rich Harts

Our tech, Elder, provided great service along with good information on how to maintain my HVAC system since we’re not here full time.
He resolved the error I was receiving which shut my system down and explained how to prevent it. Thanks Elder!

Bill Lucas

We have a service contract and when I called Aztil on a Saturday morning because my AC was not working, they came out that day. Dana was the technician. He was thorough, patient, and explained the situation. He quoted me a price for the remediation job needed, had me e-sign the contract. He contacted me for scheduled date which was 3 days later. He came when he said, and did the job .

Stanley Zausmer

Niko was friendly and efficient.
Told me how he thought my system was and performing and made recommendations for the future.
He took good care of us.

Kenneth Ciani

Niko was very polite and cleaned up after him self highly recommend him

Response from the owner:Hi Kenneth, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Marco did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Michael Zbar

Nico

Judith Swartout

Rafael Carchi was an excellent hard worker. He had a huge job cleaning the coils in our AC and proceeded without hesitation after helping us with the financial side! I would highly recommend him!

Cheryl Abrams

Dana was Excellent, extremely Personable, and followed up on my part and and was on top of our problem. My air went off last night. Dana came and was able to figure out the problem. He returned at 9:30 the next morning with the part and it was fixed by the next morning.
Thanks Dana!!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Cheryl Abrams! We are so glad that Ricardo was able to exceed your expectations and that you would recommend AZTIL. We always strive to provide excellent service to our customers.

Wendy Olds

Niko was the technician

Sheldon Lisogorsky

Got my air conditioner humming like new. Prior to the service it was running well, but I did hear a noise which is now gone. He was professional in his service.

Kimberly Ferraro

Michael was the technician that came out to my house to take care of the regular maintenance check on my AC. He was polite, professional, knowledgeable and right on time! I would recommend Michael and I will be requesting him for future AC service.

Kimberly Poyner

William was the technician that came out to service my AC. He was right on time, professional, courteous and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

Dr. Joy Brown

Miko is an excellent technician he arrived early and took good care of the air conditioning system

Response from the owner:Hi Dr. Joy, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Olga Dan

I had bad experience with multiple AC companies in the past. First time i'm dealing with the company who's having technicians fully quipped and knowledgeable. They measured every room, twice checked the attic before they start the work. Replacing the unit, doing insulation on the attic, partial replacing and sealing docks. Everything is going very professionally.

Inez

Technician Niko was very professional, prompt and informative. Appreciate his service . Thank you

thomas barrett

Many thanks to Juan Ortega for his hard work and extensive knowledge. He is truly an expert in his field

Merri Scott

I have the highest praises for Rafael Carchi & Elder Zavala who did an amazing job, way beyond my expectations!
They were able to repair my drain issue in a way that was creative in a very challenging situation. They explained everything & were very patient & understanding with all my concerns. They were a fabulous team! I would gladly work with them again in the future.

Aztil customer service sent a technician almost immediately when my air conditioner stopped working. Elder Zavala was the technician that came to my home. He is smart, patient and very good at explaining what he was doing. Elder diagnosed my problem quickly and had the issue resolved in a timely manner. Elder is a wonderful representative for the company and excellent at what he does. I highly recommend Elder Zavala.

Tyler Grissom

Michael King was great, very professional and thorough.

Jennifer Spidel

I was impressed with how hard the gentlemen worked to get my new ac unit in
They were kind and respectful. Can't say much about prices because everything is crazy but im glad I had them do it.

Ira Goldstein

Michael did a great job.

Paul Sacks

Dana was amazing, friendly and efficient!!!

Elaine Tropeano

Michael did a great job. Will always request him

antique lover

Niko Garza was punctual, efficient, and communicated in a way easy to understand.

Carol Haber

Wow, thank goodness for Aztil !!!!
The AC went down yesterday evening 7pm, and Niko G & Elder Z (with Aztil) was here by 11 am this morning and had everything up and running in less than an hour. He was very professional and accommodating. He took the time to explain what was the issues were and the repairs that were done.
Thanks Juan for coming out and saving us from the relentless Florida, summertime heat 😊👍😊

up and run

Response from the owner:Carol Haber, thank you for your review! We are glad to hear that Juan was able to get your AC up and running quickly. We appreciate your kind words and thank you for choosing Aztil.

Mel Shulman

Michael was teriffic. Great technician and very pleasant

Response from the owner:Hi Mel, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

Rachel Sipzener

Dana is the technician. He is very professional and thorough, I will make every effort to utilize his service at my home whenever possible.

Rita Katz

Aztil has always been a very reliable and professional company, and Nico was a terrific and professional technician who was able to diagnose our problem. We were just surprised that our out-of-pocket was almost $2000 even with a maintenance contract and a warranty on the compressor.

SunflowerLI Patriot

George (Jorge) is excellent and very professional. Very please with quality of his work and taking time to explain and get me up and running w/new WiFi system. Definitely would recommend him!!

Howard Laichter

Niko

Dr. Mike Benjamin

AZTIL sent a Tech named Michael King and he was awesome and respectful. He exerted due diligence to perform the maintenance right the first time. He was detail oriented , courteous and knowledgeable. He made the right decision to ensure our safety. He briefed after his work.

Thank you Michael for great job!!!

My rating is 5.0 which you deserve!

Dr Benjamin US Army MSG Retired PSL

ROB Gibbons

Tech Nico very helpful did a great job will request him again. Thanks.

Paula Mantrozos

Ramon was punctual, friendly, knowledgeable and quick. He explained everything he was doing even showing me the old part he replaced. Great Job as always!

Steve Small

Niko was our technician and did a great job. He explained everything very clearly and was professional the entire time he was here. I highly recommend Aztil and Niko for your AC service and maintenance needs.

Dan Mareno

Very Prompt, technician Alex was professional and explained everything he was doing. We have been with Aztil for over 15years. They have been recently taken over by a larger firm but still keeping the name Aztil . So far so good .
Dan ,
10/13-25