Guide
Repair or replace: how the decision works
The question comes up after nearly every major breakdown. There is no single rule, but a handful of facts about your system usually point clearly one way.
Questions that settle most cases
Ask the contractor these, and ask for the answers in writing with the quote.
- Which part failed, and how much of the system does it affect?
- How old is the system, and what does the label on the outdoor unit say?
- Is this the first major repair or the third?
- Is there a refrigerant leak, and has it been located?
- Are the indoor coil and furnace in good condition?
- Are the ducts in reasonable shape, or will they need work either way?
When repair usually wins
A failed capacitor, contactor, fan motor or thermostat is a contained repair. On a system that is not old and has not needed much attention, fixing it is usually the sensible choice. The same goes for a clogged drain or a dirty coil.
When replacement deserves a look
A failed compressor on an older system is the classic case. So is a coil that has leaked more than once. When a repair costs a large share of what a new system would, and the rest of the equipment is near the end of its life, many owners decide to move the money toward replacement.
The replacement page explains what a new install involves around Bakersfield, including the permit and the duct test.
What drives cost either way
This site does not publish prices. Costs vary by house, by equipment and by contractor. These are the things that move the number:
- Parts availability, especially for older equipment
- Refrigerant type and how much the system holds
- Access: a roof unit, an attic air handler or a tight side yard
- On replacements: equipment size and efficiency, duct sealing to meet the energy code, electrical changes, and permit fees
Under California's energy code, replacing either half of a split system triggers duct sealing and testing, according to the Energy Commission. Leaky ducts can add to the replacement price, but sealing them also helps the new system deliver what it was sized for.
Running costs matter in a long summer
Electricity in Bakersfield comes from PG&E, according to the Energy Commission electric service map. A system that runs for months at a time adds up on the bill. An older, less efficient system working through a valley summer is part of the replacement math, though it is rarely the only reason.
Common questions
Should I get more than one opinion?
For a replacement, yes. The Contractors State License Board suggests getting at least three bids based on the same scope of work, and checking each contractor's license. See the CSLB hiring guide.
Is a cheap repair now a mistake if I plan to replace next year?
Not necessarily. A small repair that gets you through the summer can buy time to plan a replacement properly.
Talk it over with a contractor
Say what the system is doing and where the house is. You will be speaking with an independent HVAC contractor who works in Bakersfield and the towns around it.