The rule of thumb
A good starting point: if the repair costs less than about a third of a new system and the unit still has years left, fix it. If it's older, has needed repeat repairs, or the repair is a major component like the compressor, replacement usually wins on cost and reliability.
The R-22 factor
Older systems use R-22 refrigerant, which has been phased out. That makes a refrigerant leak on an old unit expensive to service, when it can be serviced at all. If your AC still runs on R-22 and springs a leak, replacement is often the more sensible path.
Missouri humidity and efficiency
Cooling here isn't just about temperature — it's about pulling humidity out of the air. An aging or oversized system short-cycles and leaves the house clammy. A right-sized, efficient replacement cools evenly, controls humidity, and usually trims summer bills enough to soften the cost over time.
AC installation →If you repair, do it right
When a repair is the answer, we diagnose the actual cause, explain it plainly, and quote it before starting — capacitors, contactors, refrigerant, or a worn fan motor. No guesswork, no surprise line items.
AC repair →