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Should you Repair or Replace your unit?

Not sure if you should repair your old unit or just replace the whole thing?

Fill out this report card and see.  Download the file at the bottom of this page.

Decision Workshop
Repair or Replace Report Card
Decision Section   Cooling and Heat Pumps (splits or packaged) Furnaces and Boilers Gas/Electric Packaged Units Red Flags
Complete this section to make a proper recommendation Refer to the comfort advisor if the customer's system requires changes due to any of the following conditions / observations
Category                               Points Y N
Age of Equipment Air Flow    
0-5 Years………………… 1       · Are there airflow problems?
6-10 Years…………….… 5 · Too hot in summer or too cold in winter?
11-20 Years……………… 10 · Leakage in Duct System?
Over 20 Years…………… 20 Noise    
Estimated Cost of Repairs · Are there noise issues? (e.g. vibrations, whistling)
Less than $100.00……… 1       Refrigerants    
$101-$500………………… 5 · Will I be changing refrigerants?
$501-$1,000……………… 10 (May need to change metering device, line set or coil)
Over $1,000……………… 20 Cycling    
Repairs Under Warranty · Is the unit cycling a lot?
Yes………………………… 0       Comfort    
No…………………………… 5 · Have there been problems with comfort - too hot or
SEER of Equipment 1 too cold - in the past?
Over 13…………………… 1       Remodeled    
10-13……………………… 5 · Since the house was built, has it been remodeled or
8-10………………………… 10 have rooms been added-on?
5-7………………………… 20 (More rooms to heat/cool? More insulation?)
Type or Refrigerant Used 2 Building Codes    
HFC…………………………… 0       · Have there been any changes in building or mechanical
CFC or HCFC……………… 5 codes?  (e.g. aluminum wiring prohibited: ordinances 
AFUE 3 for outside noise from condensing units.)
Over 90………………...… 1       Venting    
89-90……………………… 5 · Are there any concerns about venting?
80-87……………………… 10 (e.g. a midrange furnace vented into a masonry chimney)
70-79……………………… 20 Fuel Changes    
Outdoor Equipment Condition 4 · Would replacement be an opportunity to change fuel type?
Good……………………………. 1       (e.g. oil to gas; electric to gas; etc.)
Average…………………………. 5 Safety Issues    
Fair……………………………… 10 · Carbon monoxide present?
Poor……………………………. 20 · Fuel leaks?
Indoor Equipment Condition 5 · Unsafe wiring?
Good……………………………. 1       Repair History    
Average………………………… 5 · Has the compressor been replaced?
Fair………………………………. 10 · Has the heat exchanger been replaced?
Poor……………………………. 20
Owner Expects to Stay in Home NOTES: Reminder: If the outdoor unit is replaced,
2 years or less…………… 1       1     Air Conditioners &  Heat Pumps The indoor coil needs to be replaced.
2-5 years…………………… 5  HFC (R134A, R410A)
6-10 years…………………. 10 CFC (R12, R-500), HCFC (R-22)  
Over 10 years……………… 20 Furnaces, Boilers & Gas/Electric PACs Date:
Total Score       Split Systems &  Package Units Only  
Repair:   0-35 0-40 0-45 Fan Coils & Furnace Coils Customer:
Questionable:   36-50 41-60 46-70 N/A for Package HP & AC  
Replace:   51+ 61+ 71+ Technician:



Decision Worksheet
Downloadable File...
Download CMA Decision Worksheet.pdf

Repair -vs- Replace

   Spending money on your home is always a big decision.  Saving money though is a no brainer.  High efficiency appliances is one way to invest in your home and save money at the same time.  Your HVAC unit is the largest appliance in your home, therefore, it has the potential to save you’re the most money on a monthly basis.  The chart above gives you a look at your true cost over a 3 year period.  The pretty new washer, dryer, refrigerator is nice, but they don't stand a chance in the savings game against that quiet new HVAC unit.

Lewis Farless
ComfortMaster Mechanical Associates, Inc.

Repair -vs- Replace

 

 Senario #1 - 14 SEER 3YR

 Senario #2 18 SEER 3 YR

 

Repair Now

Replace Now

Repair Now

Replace Now

 Repair Cost

$900.00

 

$900.00

 

 Replacement Cost

 

$4,500.00

 

$8,500.00

 Inflation 9% Future Replacement Cost (3yr, 3%/yr)

$4,905.00

 

$9,265.00

 

 Future Repairs

$300.00

 

$300.00

 

 Energy Savings (10 SEER vs 14 SEER) 100.00 per yr x 3 yr

 

$300.00

 

$600.00

 Available Rebates

 

$300.00

 

$1,000.00

 Tax Credits

 

$1,350.00

 

$1,500.00

 Total 3 yr realized cost

$6,105.00

$2,550.00

$10,465.00

$5,400.00

 Savings

$3,555.00

$5,065.00