Older units do not always need immediate replacement. But repeated unresolved faults can make continued repair poor value. The key is using a decision framework, not age alone.
Primary question
How do I decide whether to repair or replace an older aircon unit without wasting money?
Age matters, but recurrence frequency, criticality of the space, and recent spend trend matter more.
Repair is often reasonable when failure path is clearly identified and the unit has otherwise stable history.
A bounded fix with clear expectation can be lower risk than rushing to full replacement.
If faults recur across different subsystems in short windows, replacement may reduce decision fatigue and repeat downtime.
The recommendation should still include why replacement is better now, not just eventually.
Understand when gas top-up is only temporary relief and when leak-path verification should be prioritized.
Use this framework when recurring issues make it unclear whether servicing or repair is the right next step.
A practical framework for deciding between chemical wash and chemical overhaul without over-servicing.
Tell us what is happening. We will assess first, advise one clear next step, and you decide.
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