Should I repair or replace my air conditioner?
Repair when the system is under about 10 years old and the fix costs less than a third of replacement. Replace when it is 12–15 years or older, uses R-22 refrigerant, has had two or more repairs in two years, or needs a compressor or coil. Las Vegas cooling hours age systems faster than the national averages assume.
The age rule, adjusted for Las Vegas
National guidance says 15–20 years for an AC. Here, systems run five to six months a year at high load. A 12-year-old Las Vegas condenser has accumulated the runtime of a much older unit in a mild climate, so treat 12 years as the point where replacement enters the conversation.
Repairs that usually mean replace
Compressor failure, evaporator or condenser coil leaks, and any large refrigerant charge on an R-22 system. These are the repairs whose cost lands close enough to a new system that spending it on 12-year-old equipment rarely pays off.
What we do
On any repair over about $1,200 we quote both paths — the repair and the replacement — with expected remaining life on the current unit. You make the call with both numbers in front of you.
Quick decision guide
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years, repair under $800 | Repair |
| 10–12 years, repair $800–$1,500 | Get both quotes |
| 12+ years, any major repair | Replace |
| R-22 system needing refrigerant | Replace |
| Compressor or coil failure | Replace |
Want a real number for your home?
We quote a flat price before any work starts — licensed, insured, NSCB #88349.
More on this: AC Installation & Replacement in Las Vegas