Quick answer: If the repair costs more than 50% of a new unit, replace it. If repair cost × system age exceeds 5,000, replace it.
For LA homeowners, a basic replacement runs $5,500–$7,500 and saves $400–$550/year on energy. Systems using R-22 refrigerant (pre-2010) should almost always be replaced — recharges now cost $800–$1,500.
Your AC just died on the hottest week of the year. The tech gives you two numbers: $1,800 to repair, $6,500 to replace. You need to make a decision fast because it's 94 degrees in your living room and the dog is lying on the tile floor looking at you like you've betrayed him.
Here's a straightforward framework for making this call without getting pressured into a sale you don't need.
This is the simplest guideline in the industry, and it works. If the repair cost is more than 50% of what a new unit would cost, replace it. A $3,000 repair on a system you could replace for $5,500 doesn't make financial sense. But a $400 capacitor replacement on that same system? Repair it every time.
For context, here's what common AC repairs actually cost in Los Angeles:
Notice the gap between the minor repairs and the major ones. Most AC problems fall into the under-$500 category. Those are almost always worth fixing regardless of age.
Pro tip: Get the repair quote in writing before deciding. Some techs lead with the replacement conversation. A $400 capacitor doesn't need a $7,000 follow-up unless the system is genuinely failing.
| Repair Type | Typical Cost | System Age < 10 yrs | System Age 10–15 yrs | System Age 15+ yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacitor / contactor | $150–$400 | Repair | Repair | Repair |
| Fan motor | $350–$650 | Repair | Repair | Evaluate with 5,000 rule |
| Evaporator coil | $1,200–$2,200 | Repair | Evaluate with 50% rule | Replace |
| Compressor | $1,400–$2,500 | Repair | Evaluate with 5,000 rule | Replace |
| Multiple failures | $800–$2,000+ | Evaluate | Replace | Replace |
The average central AC system lasts 15–20 years in Southern California. Our mild winters and heavy summer use put us right in the middle of the national average. But "average" doesn't mean your unit will die at 15 years.
We service systems in Calabasas and Beverly Hills that are 22+ years old and running strong because the owners maintained them. Age is a factor, not a verdict.
Here's a rough guide by system age:
If your system was installed before 2010, it likely uses R-22 (Freon) refrigerant. R-22 was phased out of production in January 2020. The remaining supply is recycled and increasingly expensive.
A refrigerant recharge that cost $300 five years ago now costs $800–$1,500 for R-22 systems. If your AC has a refrigerant leak and uses R-22, this is one of the strongest arguments for replacement.
You'll keep paying inflated prices every time it needs a recharge, and eventually the supply won't be available at any price. Newer systems use R-410A or R-454B, which are readily available and environmentally compliant.
R-22 recharge in 2026 costs $800–$1,500. Two recharges on a leaking system equals the down payment on a new unit. If your system leaks and uses R-22, replacement is almost always the smarter financial move.
Technically, no. R-410A operates at almost 60% higher pressure than R-22. The compressor, expansion valve, and often the copper line set need to be replaced. The indoor evaporator coil must be rated for R-410A.
By the time you swap all those components, you've spent $4,500–$8,000 and still have old ductwork, old controls, and an older cabinet. At that point, a complete system replacement for $6,000–$10,000 gives you everything new with a full manufacturer warranty.
The only scenario where recharging R-22 makes sense: the system was installed 2009–2010, the leak is small and repairable, and you plan to replace within 2 years. In that case, fix the leak ($200–$500), recharge once, and ride it out. For anything installed before 2005, replacement is the clear winner.
Sometimes the decision is obvious. These are the signals that your system is telling you it's done:
The 50% rule works, but experienced HVAC technicians use a more nuanced version called the 5,000 rule. Multiply the cost of the repair by the age of the unit. If the number is over 5,000, replace it.
Here's how it looks in practice:
This formula works because it factors in the reality that older systems fail more frequently. A 14-year-old unit that just needed a $700 evaporator coil is likely to need a $400 capacitor next summer and a $1,500 compressor the year after. The 5,000 rule catches that pattern before you sink $2,600 into a system you should have replaced for $6,500.
A company worth your business won't walk in and immediately push a $10,000 replacement. They'll diagnose the actual problem, give you the repair cost, and have an honest conversation about whether it makes sense given the age and condition of your system.
If you've decided to replace, when you do it matters almost as much as what you buy.
The worst time to need a new AC in Los Angeles is July. Every HVAC company in the county is slammed with emergency calls, installation crews are booked 1–2 weeks out, and distributors sometimes run low on popular models.
You're making a $6,000–$12,000 decision while sweating through 98-degree days, which is not the ideal state of mind for comparison shopping. The best time to schedule a replacement is February through April. Contractors have open schedules, you can take your time getting multiple quotes, and some companies offer off-season discounts of 5–10% on installations, which can save you $400–$800.
If your AC barely survived last summer and is 12+ years old, don't wait to see if it makes it through another one. The San Fernando Valley (Woodland Hills, Encino, Tarzana, Northridge) regularly hits 105–110°F during July and August heat waves.
The Westside and coastal areas are more moderate at 85–95°F, but even that is brutal if your AC fails. Making the decision in March when temperatures are 70°F is smarter than making it in August when temperatures are 108°F and you're desperate.
A $6,000–$12,000 replacement is a lot to drop at once. Most reputable HVAC companies in LA offer financing that makes it manageable:
Here's what replacing an old system actually looks like in dollars, based on a typical 3-ton system in an LA home.
Assume LA electricity at $0.22/kWh (LADWP blended residential rate) and a 4-month heavy cooling season (June through September) plus 3 months of moderate use:
Add in the avoided R-22 recharge costs ($800–$1,500/year on a leaking system), the avoided emergency repairs ($500–$2,000 per incident on a failing system), and the LADWP rebate, and the total financial case for replacement over 10 years can reach $15,000–$25,000 in combined savings and avoided costs. The new system cost $7,000–$10,000. It paid for itself.
We've told plenty of customers in LA to repair rather than replace, even when a new sale would have been more profitable for us. That's how you earn the kind of trust that keeps people calling you for 40 years.
Whether you need a quick AC repair or want an honest assessment of your system, our HVAC team is available 7 days a week across Greater Los Angeles. We service Calabasas, Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and surrounding communities. We'll give you real numbers and let you make the call.
No pressure, no upsell. Just a straight diagnosis from techs who've been doing this for 40+ years.
☎ (800) 685-5590The 5,000 rule multiplies the repair cost by the age of your AC system. If the result exceeds 5,000, replace the unit. For example, a $400 repair on a 10-year-old system equals 4,000 — repair it. A $600 repair on a 12-year-old system equals 7,200 — replace it.
This formula accounts for the declining reliability of older systems that tend to need multiple expensive repairs in quick succession.
A full AC replacement in Los Angeles costs $5,500 to $12,000 for a standard 3 to 5 ton residential system. A basic 14–16 SEER system runs $5,500–$7,500. A high-efficiency 18–20 SEER system runs $8,000–$12,000.
Prices include removal of the old system, new indoor and outdoor units, refrigerant charge, thermostat, and permits. Rooftop units common in LA ranch-style homes may cost $500–$1,000 more due to crane requirements.
The best time is February through April, before summer demand hits. HVAC companies are less busy, you get faster scheduling, sometimes lower pricing, and no pressure to rush.
Replacing during summer means potential wait times of 1–2 weeks. LA temperatures hit 95–105 degrees in the Valley from June through September — being without AC during that stretch is genuinely miserable.
You cannot simply swap refrigerant. R-410A operates at significantly higher pressures, so the compressor, metering device, and often the line set need to be replaced. In practice this means replacing the entire outdoor condensing unit and possibly the indoor coil — costing $4,500–$8,000.
At that point you're essentially buying a new system. An R-22 recharge alone now costs $800–$1,500. For most LA homeowners with R-22 systems, full replacement is the smarter long-term investment.
Yes. Most reputable HVAC companies in LA offer financing through third-party lenders like GreenSky, Service Finance, or Synchrony. Common options include 0% APR for 12–18 months on systems over $5,000.
LADWP also offers on-bill financing for qualifying energy-efficient equipment. Some manufacturers like Carrier and Lennox run seasonal promotions with extended 0% financing up to 72 months. Always compare the total cost including interest before choosing a longer term.
A 15-year-old AC typically runs at 10–12 SEER efficiency. A new 16 SEER system uses 25–35% less electricity for the same cooling output. For an LA home spending $200/month on cooling, that's $200–$280 in savings over the 4-month peak season.
Over a full year, expect $300–$500 in annual savings. Over the 15–20 year lifespan of the new unit, total energy savings range from $4,500 to $10,000.