Guides / Hiring basics
Repair or replace?
Repair versus replace comes up with water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, roofs and appliances. A few questions make the decision less of a guess.
What to know
- Know the age
- Compare the age to its typical life. A repair on something near the end of its life may only buy a short time.
- Weigh the repair cost
- A common rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than about half of replacement, and the item is past the middle of its life, replacing often makes more sense.
- Count the repairs
- Several repairs in a short time usually point to replacement.
- Factor efficiency
- A newer, more efficient system can lower monthly bills. Check whether rebates or tax credits apply.
- Get a second opinion
- For big decisions, ask a second contractor to diagnose the problem, especially if the first one also sells replacements.
Questions to ask the contractor
- What exactly failed, and what is the chance something else fails soon?
- How much life does this unit realistically have left?
- Can you show me the failed part?
Where to check
- ENERGY STAR
- Efficiency information and rebate finder at energystar.gov.
General information for US homeowners. Licensing, permit, contract and deposit rules vary by state and city, so check your local requirements. This isn't legal advice, and Stretch Nickels More isn't paid by any contractor, trade group or company mentioned here.