Your AC quit on a hot day and the technician quoted a repair. Do you fix it or replace the whole unit? Here's a clear, honest framework for Toronto homeowners — no pressure either way.
The Quick Decision Rules
| Situation | Usually… |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years old, repair under $800 | Repair |
| 10–12 years old, moderate repair | It depends — weigh efficiency |
| Over 12 years old, or repair over $1,200 | Replace |
| Uses R-22 refrigerant | Lean replace |
| Compressor failure on an older unit | Replace |
The Age Factor
Central air conditioners in Toronto typically last 12–15 years. If yours is under 10 and the repair is minor (a capacitor, a contactor, a fan motor), repair is almost always the right call — those are inexpensive fixes. Past 12 years, the math shifts: you're putting money into a unit near the end of its life, and a modern replacement runs far more efficiently.
The R-22 Refrigerant Problem
If your AC is old enough to use R-22 refrigerant (phased out in Canada), any repair involving a refrigerant leak gets expensive — R-22 is scarce and costly, and you're recharging an aging system that may leak again. For R-22 units, replacement usually wins. Newer systems use R-410A or the latest low-GWP refrigerants.
Don't Forget Efficiency
An AC from 10–15 years ago might run at 10–13 SEER. A modern unit runs at 16–26 SEER2, using meaningfully less electricity for the same cooling. If your old unit is limping along and your summer hydro bills are climbing, replacement pays you back over time — not just in avoided repairs. See our AC installation page for current options, or our AC repair page if a fix is the right move.
Our Honest Approach
We diagnose first and tell you the truth: if a repair makes sense, we'll fix it. If you'd be throwing good money after bad, we'll say so and show you the numbers. Either way, you get a written quote and a clear recommendation — not a default upsell.