Is your air conditioner worth fixing?
A short, honest answer based on what's actually going on with your system, with no pressure to buy anything.
Whether an air conditioner is worth fixing depends less on its age than on what actually failed. A small part on an older system is usually a small repair, a failed coil or compressor deserves a careful comparison, and a system that's working fine doesn't need a decision at all.
If a note on your invoice sent you here, it's a heads-up about your system's age, not a deadline. Our technicians are paid hourly, not on commission, and they mention age so the next big decision doesn't catch you by surprise.
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How we think about repair or replace
Age is an orientation, not a verdict. As a rough guide, a system under 10 years old is usually worth repairing, one between 10 and 15 is worth a conversation, and one over 15 is a good reason to start planning. How hard those years were matters as much as how many there were.
The kind of repair matters more than the fact of a repair. A capacitor, contactor or fan motor is an ordinary repair, not a reason on its own to replace a whole system. A leak, or a failed coil or compressor, is a bigger question, and that's when it pays to compare the actual repair with a written replacement proposal. Out of warranty, a failed compressor usually means we'll recommend a new system, simply because a compressor is expensive to buy and install.
Warranty can change the answer. Under the manufacturer's parts warranty, the failed part may be covered, but the labor to install it usually isn't unless you also have extended labor coverage, so a covered repair can still have a cost. If you're not sure, ask us and we'll check.
Leaks, R-22 and salt air
Refrigerant isn't normally used up. If your system is low, ask what caused the loss and whether a leak was found. The EPA advises homeowners to have leaks found and repaired rather than topped off. Before you decide, ask where the leak is, whether it was repaired or only recharged, and what the plan is if it comes back. A leak at a fitting and a leak in a coil offer different repair options.
R-22 systems are a special case. No new R-22, the older refrigerant, has been produced or imported in the U.S. since 2020. According to the EPA, existing systems can still be serviced with previously produced R-22 as well as reclaimed and recycled supplies. In our experience, a major R-22 repair usually costs too much to make long-term sense, and a new system with a fresh warranty is often the better use of your money. We judge it case by case: if the problem is a small part, we'll say so.
Salt air shows up outside first. On island homes, in our experience, salt-air corrosion shows up first on the outdoor coil and cabinet. If you're weighing a repair on an older coastal system, ask our technician what those parts look like.
What a visit costs, and how we decide
Diagnosis comes first. There's no separate trip or diagnostic fee. Most repairs are billed for the technician's time, starting when they arrive, plus parts, and some repairs are flat rate. There is a minimum charge for the visit, which applies even if you decide not to go ahead with the repair. Before any work starts, the technician tells you what the repair is expected to cost, and our office will tell you our hourly rate if you ask.
Our technicians are paid hourly, not on commission. If a repair is the smart move, we'll say so, even though a new system would be the bigger sale. Between October 2025 and June 2026, about 9 in 10 of our AC service calls were not followed by a new system from us within 90 days.
If you do replace, what you've paid us counts. When a repair visit on your air conditioner leads to a replacement, we review what you've paid us and credit what we fairly can toward the new system. Replacement estimates are free and in writing, you don't need to decide today, and every A&E replacement is a matched indoor and outdoor system, as code requires.
Already have another company's quote? Sometimes we find a smaller fix, and sometimes we agree that replacing makes sense. Either way, we'll tell you plainly. There are two ways we can help:
Quote review (free): we go over the other company's diagnosis and quote with you. Call (941) 778-0773 and tell us you'd like a second opinion.
A look at the system itself: that's a regular repair visit, billed for time and parts with a minimum charge, and the technician tells you the expected cost before any work starts.
Maintenance, if you want it. VIP members get scheduled visits that help spot wear early, findings explained, priority scheduling, 10% off all repairs and no overtime fees. See VIP maintenance.
Common questions
Should I replace my AC just because it's old?
Not on age alone. An older system with one worn part can be well worth repairing. What failed, how often, and whether the house stays comfortable matter more than its birthday.
Is it worth repairing an R-22 system?
Sometimes. A small part can be worth fixing, but in our experience a refrigerant leak or a major component usually isn't. We'll tell you which situation you're in before recommending anything.
Do you charge to come out and diagnose it?
There's no separate trip or diagnostic fee, but there is a minimum charge for the visit, even if you decide not to go ahead with the repair. The technician tells you the expected cost before starting, and you can ask us for our hourly rate.
My system is still under warranty. Is the repair free?
Not always. The part may be covered, but the labor to install it usually isn't unless you also have extended labor coverage. Ask us and we'll check your coverage before any work starts.
If I replace after a repair visit, do I lose what I've already paid?
For your air conditioner, we review what you've paid us and credit what we fairly can toward the new system.
Air & Energy has served the area since 1983 and has been family-owned by the Moons since 1991. We're rated 4.9 stars across 3,200+ Google reviews, and everyone we send is an A&E employee. Florida Certified Air Conditioning Contractor, license CAC1817161.