Repair vs Replace Explainer

Turns a technician's findings and the shop's prices into a clear, fair write-up that lays out the repair option and the replacement option side by side, so the homeowner can decide with confidence.

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Before and after

BEFORE · what the owner typed

Customer is Lillian Christensen, 5241 Crestfield Rd, Bramcrest. Shop is Elderfield Heating and Air, phone 234-555-0122. Her AC isn't cooling, house is stuck around 80. Tech Levi Burke found the compressor is shot. Unit is a Zephyrline 3-ton split system, she says it's about 14 years old. Coil is also dirty, rec cleaning. Capacitor was weak, we swapped it already no charge. Repair option: replace compressor, $2,350 includes refrigerant recharge, 1 year labor warranty. Replace option A: new 3-ton condenser and coil, $6,900 installed, 10 year parts and 2 year labor. Option B: full new system with new furnace $11,200 installed, same warranty. Furnace tested ok, no issues. She said she may sell the house in a couple years. Levi says he'd replace the condenser and coil. Also noticed rust on the drain pan, rec replacing it, $185.

AFTER · what the skill produced

Hi Lillian,

Thank you for having Levi Burke out to 5241 Crestfield Rd. Here is what he found on your air conditioner that isn't cooling, and the options we can offer.

What we found
The compressor in your Zephyrline 3-ton split system has failed. That is why the house is stuck around 80 degrees. You told us the system is about 14 years old. The weak capacitor was replaced during the visit at no charge.

Option 1: Repair
Replace the compressor and recharge the refrigerant for $2,350. This includes a 1 year labor warranty.

Option 2: Replace the outdoor unit and coil
Install a new 3-ton condenser and coil for $6,900 installed. This includes a 10 year parts warranty and a 2 year labor warranty.

Option 3: Replace the full system
Install a new system with a new furnace for $11,200 installed. This has the same warranty as Option 2. Your furnace tested fine, so this option would replace a furnace that is currently working.

Side by side

Repair: $2,350, 1 year labor warranty
Condenser and coil: $6,900, 10 year parts and 2 year labor. This is $4,550 more than the repair.
Full system: $11,200, 10 year parts and 2 year labor. This is $4,300 more than Option 2 and $8,850 more than the repair.

Our recommendation
We recommend replacing the condenser and coil (Option 2). You mentioned you may sell the house in a couple of years, and a new system with a longer warranty may matter to you in that case. The repair is still a real option if you prefer the lower price today.

Other findings
Recommended now

Drain pan has rust, which we recommend replacing for $185.

Also recommended

The coil is dirty. We recommend a cleaning.

The decision is yours. If you have questions or want to schedule, call us at Elderfield Heating and Air, 234-555-0122.

Questions for the owner

What is the price for the coil cleaning?
Does the $185 drain pan price apply to every option, or only if the existing system is kept?

What it does

Turns a technician's findings and the shop's prices into a clear, fair write-up that lays out the repair option and the replacement option side by side, so the homeowner can decide with confidence.

Use it when: Use when an HVAC company needs to explain to a homeowner whether to repair or replace a heating or cooling system, such as "should we repair or replace this," "explain the options to the customer," or "write up repair vs replace for the homeowner."