AC repair
Not cooling, blowing warm air, making noise or leaking water: found and fixed.
Home / Repair or replace?
Guide · Tampa
Repair or replace your AC?
Multiply the system's age by the repair quote. That one number, plus the refrigerant it runs on, tells you most of what you need to know.
- The $5,000 rule, worked out for you
- What R-22 and R-410A mean for repairs
- Signs it's time to replace
AC out? Call (813) 489-6854, 24/7
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We'll call you to get it scheduled. AC completely out? Call (813) 489-6854.
Calculator
Run your numbers
Enter the year the system went in and the repair quote you were given. The refrigerant is printed on the outdoor unit's nameplate.
A rule of thumb, not a verdict. The system's history and condition change the real answer.
Your result
Enter the year and the repair quote.
We multiply the system's age by the repair cost. Over $5,000 usually means a replacement is the better buy.
Get a technician outThe rule
How the $5,000 rule works
- Age × repair cost.A 12-year-old system with a $600 repair scores $7,200.
- Well under $5,000: repair it.The system likely has years left, and the repair is a small bet.
- Near $5,000: it's a close call.Weigh the history. The first repair in years is different from the third this summer.
- Over $5,000: lean toward replacing.That money usually does more as part of a new, more efficient system with a fresh warranty.
Refrigerant
Check the refrigerant
The refrigerant a system uses changes what repairs cost. It's printed on the outdoor unit's nameplate.
| Refrigerant | What it means |
|---|---|
| R-22 | No longer made or imported in the U.S. since 2020. Recharges are expensive, and these systems are old. Usually time to replace. |
| R-410A | Still serviced, but supply is being phased down under federal law, so it may cost more over time. |
| R-454B, R-32 | The lower-impact refrigerants in systems built since 2025. |
More on SEER2 and the new refrigerants.
Warning signs
Signs it's time to replace
- More than 10 years old
- Frequent repairs and rising energy bills
- Humidity problems in the house
- Some rooms too hot or too cold
- A noisy system
- Refrigerant that needs topping off every year
The first five are from ENERGY STAR's guidance on when to replace a heat pump or air conditioner.
FAQ
Common questions
How long does an AC last in Tampa?
Many last 10 to 15 years here. Year-round use and salt air near the coast can shorten that, and regular maintenance stretches it. ENERGY STAR suggests considering a replacement once a system is more than 10 years old.
My AC needs refrigerant every year. Is that normal?
No. Refrigerant runs in a sealed loop and doesn't get used up. Needing more means there's a leak, and topping it off without fixing the leak just puts off the problem.
Related services
More ways we can help
AC replacement & installation
New systems sized to your home, permitted and installed to Florida code.
Heat pumps
Heat pump repair and replacement for cooling all year and heat in winter.
AC giving you trouble?
Call (813) 489-6854 any time, or send the form for service or a quote on a new system.