'I dread the snow': My heating and air conditioning always breaks down. Do I spend $15K on a new one?

By Quentin Fottrell

 'Is there a formula or method for figuring out when replacement becomes more cost-effective than ongoing repairs?' 

 "I estimate that similar expenses will occur two to three times per year." (Photo subject is a model.) 

 Dear Quentin, 

 My heating and air-conditioning unit is 11 years old and needs repairs every few months. Yesterday, I had to spend almost $400 on a repair, and I estimate that similar expenses will occur two to three times per year. I'm trying to determine at what point it makes sense to replace the unit. I don't yet know what a new unit will cost, but I plan to find out on Monday when the salesperson visits. Is there a formula or method for figuring out when replacement becomes more cost-effective than ongoing repairs? 

 Homeowner 

 Don't miss: 'I spend $7,500 a month': I'm 47, earn $260K, and have $3 million. Can I retire at 50? 

 You can email The Moneyist with any financial and ethical questions at qfottrell@marketwatch.com. The Moneyist regrets he cannot reply to questions individually. 

 If there is a leak, he needs to find it. He has not proven that he can do that, so it's time for a second opinion. 

 Dear Homeowner, 

 Regular maintenance should, as any dentist will tell you, help prevent pain later on. 

 Since your HVAC unit is 11 years old and you're spending $400 per repair two to three times a year, it's costing you $1,000 a year. So it would take 15 years to reach the $15,000 price tag of a new unit. As older units tend to fail more often, repair costs are likely to rise each year, and a major breakdown could hit you with even bigger sticker shock. If your system is more than 10 years old and annual repairs exceed $500 to $1,000 a year, start putting money aside for a replacement. From what you say, replacing the unit would be more cost-effective and less stressful. However, I'm not convinced that your maintenance man is not missing the problem. 

 A leak of the chemical refrigerant, which is crucial for the cooling and heating process, can reduce cooling efficiency, cause the buildup of ice on coils, increase your energy costs and lead to periodic breakdowns in the entire system. Your maintenance man keeps coming back and, it seems, fixing the same problem. If there is a leak, he needs to find it. He has not proven that he can do that, so it's time for a second opinion. You should conduct maintenance on your HVAC every year, but three times a year is not sustainable. So you either find the problem and fix it or invest in a new air-conditioning unit. 

 The silver lining, I hope, is that you can afford your heating and cooling bills. "I dread the snow," a friend recently told me, because the cold temperatures mean they'll have to turn up the heat for weeks, meaning a surge in their heating bill. It can make a difference for a house with two or more bedrooms. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association recently reported that home heating costs are expected to rise 11% this winter (November through March), driven by higher energy prices. That's nearly four times the rate of inflation. (Homes that rely on electricity for their heating are predicted to rise more than those relying on natural gas.) 

 Lifespan of units 

 Back to your HVAC: While some brands have better reputations than others, Constellation (CEG), the energy company, has this guide on the lifespan of units. Taking these estimates at face value, your unit should have at least another four years left, so let's assume that with a change of maintenance contractor, you will find the leak and solve the problem. Here are some lifespan estimates, according to Constellation: central air-conditioning units (12 to 17 years); heat pumps (10 to 16 years); furnaces and boilers (15 to 20 years); geothermal heat pumps (25 to 30 years); ground loops (50 years); solar panels (25 to 30 years); and evaporative coolers (5 to 15 years). 

 HVACs, like people, require regular tuneups. So if your unit costs you $15,000, you want to make sure it lasts as long as possible. The healthier the unit, the fewer times you will have to replace it. Those seasonal tuneups start with simple tasks like changing filters, inspecting refrigerant levels and keeping outdoor components clean, according to the experts at Constellation. Cleaning air filters removes dust, pet hair and germs, and - the best part - replacing them is inexpensive and easy. The same is true for keeping air ducts clean. To save money, put the system on "auto" (rather than "all day") and turn it off if you're going away. 

 "It is important to understand, however, that there really is no such thing as an average HVAC system," the company adds. "The features and functions of different units vary tremendously. A system that only produces heat and doesn't include air conditioning will perform differently from a heat pump, for example, that does both. Usage patterns will affect how long a system might last. Heavy use will increase wear and tear and decrease a unit's lifespan. How well they are maintained can also make a difference that is measured in decades of more useful life. It is often worth paying more up front for a higher-quality unit." 

 Good luck with the new maintenance man in solving your temperature trouble. 

 More columns from Quentin Fottrell: 

 Can I stop my kids from using their inheritance to support political causes I vehemently oppose? 

 My wife's credit-card payment is three months overdue. As an authorized user, am I in trouble? 

 My stepmother cheated me out of $500K from my father's estate. What can I do? 

 Check out The Moneyist's private Facebook group, where members help answer life's thorniest money issues. Post your questions, or weigh in on the latest Moneyist columns. 

 By emailing your questions to The Moneyist or posting your dilemmas on The Moneyist Facebook group, you agree to have them published anonymously on MarketWatch. 

 By submitting your story to Dow Jones & Co., the publisher of MarketWatch, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties. 

 -Quentin Fottrell 

 This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-28-26 0745ET

Copyright © 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.