Posted: May 18, 2026
Forecasters are predicting another hot and sticky summer. Is your air conditioner ready to put in the overtime again this year?
With electric prices on the rise—and temperatures likely to spike this summer, too, a lot of customers wonder if they can eke out one more season with their old AC system. Sometimes, a few targeted repairs and a tune-up will have your air conditioning system running like new. The key is knowing what signs to look for and weighing your options. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Even well-maintained equipment will start to fail after 10 or 15 years. Repairs will get more frequent—and once the warranty expires, they can be more expensive. If you have an older system that uses the phased-out R-22 refrigerant, you should definitely replace it. R-22 is hard to get—and very expensive.
The cost of a tune-up is usually worthwhile. It prevents a lot of minor problems from turning into majorly expensive repair jobs.
If you do need a repair, we recommend the $6,000 rule: Multiply the cost of a repair by the age of your system. If it’s more than $6,000 (roughly the average cost of a new system), you’re better off replacing your cooling equipment. So, for example, if you get an estimate for $1200 to repair your 8-year-old system you would multiply 1200 by 8 to get $9,600. You’ll get better value by replacing your system.
Your equipment will give you plenty of signals it’s ready for a repair. Noise, including rattling, grinding and generally louder operation means your equipment is working harder than it should. Be aware of these other signs of pending problems:
How did your cooling system perform last summer? Did your system have a hard time keeping your home comfortable even on milder days? Did you experience frequent breakdowns? A big increase in your energy use despite getting a tune-up is another red flag that your AC is not running as efficiently as it should be.
On the other hand, if you have spaces that don’t seem to get cool, adding a ductless heat pump can address the problem without adding an ugly window unit or replacing your whole system.
The good news is that a new AC system will run more efficiently, which can help you cut your cooling costs by as much as a third. The team at Roberts’ Energy can help you assess your needs and talk to you about trouble spots, like hard-to-cool rooms.
We know a “cookie cutter” approach doesn’t work—every home is different, even if they look similar or are the same age. And the best system in the world is only as good as the installation. We’ll help you navigate your options and find the best choice for your budget and your space.
If your system still has a few good years, it’s never too soon to schedule a tuneup for your cooling equipment. Our technicians will perform a multi-point precision tune-up to ensure your equipment is running right. Annual maintenance is essential to getting the best performance out of your home’s HVAC system.
Whatever your needs, the pros at Roberts’ are here to make sure your cooling equipment is ready for the season. Contact us today.
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