What's the real decision?
The question isn't 'is it broken' — most things can be repaired. It's whether another repair is the best use of your money versus investing in a system that's more efficient and reliable. Five factors decide it: the equipment's age, the cost of the repair relative to a new system, current efficiency, refrigerant type, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
When repair is the smart call
Repair usually wins when:
- The system is under ~10 years old and otherwise sound
- The repair is a single, modest-cost component (capacitor, igniter, sensor, contactor)
- Efficiency is already decent and the rest of the system is healthy
- You're moving soon and just need reliable operation
When replacement is the smart call
Replacement usually wins when:
- The system is 12–15+ years old and facing a major repair (compressor, heat exchanger)
- Repair cost approaches roughly a third or more of replacement cost
- It still uses R-410A and has a refrigerant leak — recharge costs have climbed sharply since the 2025 phase-out (see refrigerant in the glossary)
- Bills are high from low efficiency, and rebates (Ameren PAYS, Spire) offset the upgrade
- You're staying long enough to capture the energy savings
Failure modes in this decision
Two traps: replacing a whole system over a cheap part because a salesperson pushed it (the exact reputation some large outfits have earned), or repeatedly repairing a dying system and spending more than a replacement would have cost. An honest, itemized diagnosis avoids both.
How Degenhardt keeps it honest
We give you the repair option and the replacement option with real numbers, explain the trade-offs, and let you decide — no scare tactics. If you've already received a quote elsewhere, our free 2nd opinion reviews it apples-to-apples, and if their price is fair we'll say so.
Proof: family-owned since 1984; NATE-certified, Sheet Metal Workers' Local 36 union-trained technicians who lay out honest repair and replacement options — backed by free, no-obligation written estimates and a free second opinion on other companies' quotes.
Frequently asked questions
A common guideline: if the repair costs more than about a third of a new system and the unit is past ~10–12 years, replacement is usually the better investment. But refrigerant type and efficiency can shift the math — we show you both options with numbers.
Often, yes. R-410A was phased out for new equipment in 2025, and recharge prices have risen sharply, so a leaking R-410A system is more expensive to keep alive. That can tip an older unit toward replacement.
No. We present repair and replacement honestly and let you choose. Our free 2nd opinion exists specifically to check other companies' replace-everything quotes.