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

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Aztil Air Conditioning

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jeremy allen

After our AC went out we were concerned about being stuck in the heat. Dana came out and found the issue right away. He worked with the office to line up a replacement for the very next day.

Naraldo came in the morning and removed the old unit. A short while later the crane came to get the old on off the roof and put the new one up there.

They worked throughout the morning and we were back in business. My wife and I both work from home and never missed a beat. Thanks Aztil!

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

Linda LaRocco

Cody Richardson serviced my two air conditioners. I rate him as A+. He was very thorough and did a great job servicing my air conditioners.

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

Dennis Glick

TINO did a great job - was thorough and explained everything he was doing! See him back in 6 months

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

Manuel Pascual

Response from the owner:Hi Manuel, 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.

Enriqueta Castillo

Alex Molina’s service was excellent!

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

Bret

Editing my previous review bc I cannot add another. Ihave been under contract with this AC company since 2013. They have kept me going since. Just got my usual 6 month tune-up, and my technician, Alex M. was excellent and very helpful, and answered all my questions. Highly recommend this business.

Response from the owner:Hi Bret, We're glad to hear that the technicians were courteous of your belongings and that Patty was helpful in scheduling the service. We take pride in our customer service and we appreciate your feedback. Thank you for choosing us for your duct cleaning needs.

Dian Keller

*5/5 Stars*

I am “blown away” by the exceptional service I received from Marc O'Connell at Aztil Air Conditioning! From the initial consultation to the final service, Marc was professional, knowledgeable, and courteous.

His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring my air conditioning system was tailored to my specific needs was impressive. Marc took the time to explain every aspect of the service and answering all of my questions.

The service itself was seamless and efficient. Marc worked diligently to minimize disruption to my daily routine. I greatly appreciated that.

The air conditioning system is now quiet, efficient, and has significantly improved the overall comfort of my home.

I would highly recommend Marc O'Connell and Aztil Air Conditioning to anyone in need of air conditioning services. Aztil has exceptional customer service, technical expertise, and commitment to quality. Make them the go-to choice for all your air conditioning needs.

Thank you, Marc, for an outstanding experience!" 😉

Response from the owner:Thanks for the great review, Dian Keller! We're glad Andy and Johnathan provided such great service. We'll be sure to send them your way again!

Juan C Maldonado

Great Service. ¡Thanks Dana!

Response from the owner:Hi Juan, 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.

Roxane Casper

Very pleased with Ramon professionalism, reccomend Aztil .

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

Bette Howard

Yandis is an exemplary technician. He explained each part of his maintenance check and made other suggestions as to how to improve our HVAC system. We rate him a 10+!!

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

Patricia Peters Studio

Did a wonderful job and very clean The young men that worked here was Jordan and Adrian I would recommend them

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

Milt Weinberger

We had a repair done by Rick Cchran. Excellent repair person, knowledgable on the unit we have. Thanks to Sabrina for helping to get the cost down.

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

kevin clar

Jordan and his crew were great He explained the process in detail. The work was done expertly
The aeroseal system "closed " the equivalent of 4 open windows in my AC ductwork

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

Herbert Simkin

Jordan was great. Should I need to this work on my other unit's duct work I will ask for Jordan

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

Elizabeth Greene

This was the second time I've used Aztil to replace my air conditioner and there's a reason I'm a repeat customer! My repair technician, Lee, was prompt and quickly identified that I needed a new unit. Within the hour I got an estimate, and I was on the schedule for installation the next day. That was a relief as the weather in Florida has been swinging from cool to too hot. On installation day, Dana and Angel were fantastic. They were on time, and quickly replaced my AC and air handler. They were kind and clean and left my garage area cleaner than they found it. I work from home, but they didn't disrupt my schedule at all. I would highly recommend Aztil to all my friends and neighbors in South Florida.

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

Lillian Pearsall

Rick Cochran is a wonderful caring tech. He found my problem and fixed it, and even did a little extra to make my AC work better. I'm happy that I use Aztil.

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

Barbara Collins

Lazaro was prompt, friendly and knowledgeable

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

theresa giamporcaro

Response from the owner:Hi Theresa, 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.

Michael Gordon

David was great. Very professional and helpful.

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

Larry

LEE is a great technician and a pleasure to meet.

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

Sheila Ramnauth

Dana was very courteous, friendly, he did a through inspection in and outside my unit. I would recommend him always

Response from the owner:Hi Sheila, 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.

Bernie Sulfaro

Dana, the tech was great and very honest. I would recommend him to anyone!!!

Response from the owner:Hi Bernie, 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.

Jennifer Rommel

Overall have been very happy with the technicians. The response from the office staff not as much.

Response from the owner:Hello Jennifer, Thank you for taking time to provide feedback about your experience with our company. We completely understand your frustration and apologize for any dissatisfaction that may have caused your day. We are eager to discuss this experience with you. Please call our customer service manager, Jack. He can be reached at (561) 202-8726. It is our goal to make sure we resolve any issue we can and look forward to speaking with you.

Jack SantaMaria

Yandis is a great tech. He usually does our service appointments and is neat, courteous, knowledgeable and respectful.

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

Ron Sweat

I just had an AC unit replaced, air handler & condenser, by Aztil Air Conditioning. Paul was the initial point of contact, Naraldo was the installation technician. Paul gave me sound advice & Naraldo was professional, quick & clean with the instillation.

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

Guillermo Chiaway

Jordan and Adrian did a good job cleaning my air ducts. Thanks

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

Marisa Crescenzi

Technician Dana was very efficient.

Response from the owner:Hi Marisa, 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.

Judith Crowley

Asiel was such a hard worker. From the time he came until he left, he never took a break. Didn’t even get a lunch. When he didn’t understand something we asked, he had it translated on his phone. I can’t say enough for his work ethic.

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

Maria Johnson

Angel Orbea did an excellent job today. He came in and listened to my explanation of what happened, checked his notes and went to work. He showed me everything and explained everything. He did a great job!!

Response from the owner:Hi Maria, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're glad to hear that you had an excellent experience with our service. We pride ourselves on our knowledgeable staff, and it's great to know that Dana was able to provide you with such great service. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon!

Michael Mehr

Excellent Serviceman, clean, and Professional

Response from the owner:Hi Michael, 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.

Rick Saleeby

Alex, tech …..wonderful!!!!

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

Mark O’Leary

Excellent work by Dana. He arrived on time, worked very hard and did a great job cleaning up after. He explained everything and was very friendly. I will definitely request Dana next time I need service. Outstanding work !

Response from the owner:Hello Mark. We greatly appreciate your positive review. I'm glad Benny was able to provide you with good service. We appreciate you as a customer and thank you for your business. Please contact us if you ever have any questions or need support with anything.

Devon Nola

Love Atzil and Albert always does an amazing job keeping my system running smoothly.

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

Norm Caldwell

The A/C in one of our homes stopped working. I forgot to contact air Boca , which is now Aztil Air Conditioning. Instead, I contacted a competitor (paridise). The competitor came out was very nice and friendly and when they diagnose the problem, they said it would be over $900 to fix it. This didn’t seem right so I remembered to call Air Boca. I spoke with (Sabrina) and she was helpful and she sent my favorite former technician Yandis to look at the unit. They were able to solve the problem for less than $300. I highly recommend Aztil.

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

Leah Rigot

Technician prompt, courteous and efficient

Response from the owner:Hi Leah, 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.

Robin Vine

Paul, Dana, Jordan and Adrian were absolutely amazing. They were thorough, clean and explained everything. Highly recommended!!’

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

Donna Flo

I have never written a review for a business before.
Last night my A/C quit. I called AZTIL in the morning and Ramon was there by afternoon. I have been a longtime AZTIL customer and have been satisfied. However Ramon was so friendly, polite and knowledgeable I feel the need to recommend them. I happened to have several
friends visiting when Ramon arrived. To a person they were so impressed by him. The comment was made that he made one want to use AZTIL. Thank you Aztil. You have a great asset.

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

Howard Hirsch

Dana was great. Identified the issue. Was super courteous and a gentleman. Thanks for everything.

Response from the owner:Hi Howard, 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.

Joseph Tarsia

Aztil is always reliable and got me back to normal .. Tino came and fixed the problem immediately and it was all covered on the service contract .. thanks Tino and Aztil for fine job

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

Doug Natal

Dana was quick, clean, informative and had the right amount of concern for the problem we were having with the drain clogging of two units. Well done Dana !!

Response from the owner:Hi Doug, 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.

Marsha Langer

Ramon did a wonderful and thorough job on my A/C maintenance. He was very informative and explained everything. I highly recommend Aztil and Ramon is excellent!!

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

Juana Oquendo

Dana was amazing A++

Response from the owner:Hi Juana, 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.

Maggie Pastore

My tech was knowledgeable and very polite. Got my ac taken care of and I am very happy with him. Jackie at the office was also amazing .

Response from the owner:Hi Maggie, 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.

Sandra Thomas

Dana did a good job installing our Apco-x filter.

Response from the owner:Hi Sandra, 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.

James Czocher

10 years with Aztil Tino the service representative did an amazing job on my 6 month maintenance he was very professional and trustworthy

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

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