Every AC system reaches the point where replacing beats repairing. The question is when — and the answer should come from numbers, not from a sales pitch. We walk you through the real math: the system's age, what the repair costs, whether it runs scarce R-22 refrigerant, and what the ductwork looks like.
If a repair buys you meaningful years at a fair price, we will tell you to repair it. When replacement is the honest answer, we size the new system by load calculation, evaluate the ducts, and handle the electrical side in-house.
The Repair-vs-Replace Framework
Age is the starting point: systems older than 12 to 15 years are candidates, and a repair estimate approaching half the cost of a new system tilts the scale. Refrigerant type matters enormously — R-22 was phased out, so old R-22 systems are expensive to recharge and the refrigerant keeps getting scarcer. Stuart's older downtown housing stock still holds plenty of R-22-era equipment, and that alone can settle the question.
Ductwork is the third factor. A new high-efficiency system bolted onto leaking, undersized ducts is still a system that cannot cool the far bedrooms. Every replacement quote from us includes a full ductwork evaluation, because the ducts are half the system.
Sized to Your Home, Not Your Old Unit
The old system's tonnage is a data point, not a specification. Homes change: insulation gets added, windows get replaced, additions go up. We run a fresh load calculation and size the new system to what the house needs today.
This matters doubly for humidity control. An oversized system short-cycles and leaves the air cold but clammy — miserable in a Florida summer. Right-sizing is what makes the new system actually comfortable, not just colder.
What Replacement Day Looks Like
A typical changeout runs one to two days. We protect the floors and work areas, recover the old refrigerant properly, set the new equipment, connect the electrical — including any panel or circuit changes our electricians scope — and start the system up with full testing.
Permits are pulled where required, and we walk you through the new thermostat and maintenance needs before we leave. You approve the written price before anyone starts.
Common questions
How do I know it's time to replace instead of repair?
The honest signals: the system is 12 to 15 years old, repairs are getting frequent or expensive, it runs phased-out R-22 refrigerant, or it can't keep up even after proper service. We lay out both options with real numbers and let you decide.
Will a new system lower my electric bill?
Usually, yes — newer equipment is more efficient, and a right-sized system runs better than a struggling old one. But the biggest gains come when the ductwork is sound, which is why we evaluate the ducts on every replacement quote.
Do you handle the electrical work for a new system?
Yes. Our electrical division handles the dedicated circuit, disconnect, and any panel capacity issues as part of the same job — one company, one written price.
How long does an AC replacement take?
Most changeouts finish in one to two days, depending on the system and any ductwork or electrical changes. We give you a real schedule with the quote.
Related services
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(561) 786-1337