When to Replace vs. Repair Your AC in the Triangle Area

If your air conditioner is acting up, you're facing the age-old homeowner dilemma: should you repair it or replace it? For homeowners in Clayton, Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Triangle area, this decision involves balancing repair costs, system age, energy efficiency, and North Carolina's brutal summer heat.

At Frost Fire Heating and Cooling, we give honest advice — not a sales pitch. Here's how to decide.

The 50% Rule

A reliable rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than 50% of what a new system would cost, it's time to replace. For example, if a new AC system costs $5,000 and your repair estimate is $2,800, replacement is the smarter long-term investment.

Age Matters

Most central air conditioning systems last 15-20 years with proper maintenance.

System Age	Recommendation
Under 10 years	Repair is usually worth it
10-15 years	Evaluate on a case-by-case basis
15+ years	Strongly consider replacement

The R-22 Freon Factor

If your AC uses R-22 refrigerant (Freon), which was phased out of production, you have a strong reason to replace. R-22 is increasingly expensive and scarce. Newer systems use R-410A or R-454B, which are more environmentally friendly and readily available.

Energy Efficiency Savings

Modern AC systems are significantly more efficient. A new system with a 16+ SEER2 rating can reduce your cooling costs by 20-40% compared to an old 10-SEER unit. In North Carolina, where you run AC from May through October, those savings add up fast.

Signs It's Time to Replace

• Frequent repairs (more than 2 per cooling season)
• Energy bills increasing despite normal use
• Uneven cooling — some rooms hot, others cold
• System uses R-22 refrigerant
• System is 15+ years old

Signs Repair Makes Sense

• System is under 10 years old
• First-time or infrequent repair
• Minor issue (capacitor, contactor, thermostat)
• Repair cost well under 50% of replacement

Get an Honest Assessment

At Frost Fire, we'll inspect your system, explain the issue, and give you a straightforward recommendation. No pressure, no upselling. We serve Clayton, Raleigh, Durham, Garner, and the surrounding Triangle area.