Should I repair or replace my system?
Free repair-vs-replace calculator for Wisconsin homeowners — multiply your system's age by the repair cost and see whether fixing or replacing your furnace or AC is the smarter move.
The trade uses a simple rule: system age × repair cost. Over about $5,000, replacement usually wins. Slide your numbers below, then bring the result to a free second opinion if you want an O'Leary technician to confirm it on site.
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Should I repair or replace my furnace or AC?
The rule of thumb the trade uses: multiply your system's age in years by the repair cost. If it's over about $5,000, replacement usually makes more sense. In southeast Wisconsin, Focus on Energy rebates can tip a close call toward replacing.
Minor repairs in our pricing guide often run $275–$550; major components can reach $1,500+.
Replacement is likely the better value
Your math: 10 yrs × $800 = $8,000 vs. the $5,000 line.
Your age × repair-cost is at or above the $5,000 line (or the system is near end of life). Pouring a big repair into an old unit rarely pays off — and a new high-efficiency system may qualify for Wisconsin Focus on Energy rebates that close the gap.
Replacement planning context: full furnace + AC packages in our pricing guide average $7,918 (Basic) to $13,684 (Gold) — your exact quote depends on sizing, ducts, and equipment.
“Isn't it always cheaper to just repair?”
Not when the system is old. A $1,200 repair on a 16-year-old furnace is $19,200 on the rule — money spent on a unit that may fail again next season. The honest answer depends on your equipment's condition and remaining life, which is what a free in-home assessment confirms. We never inflate a repair to push a sale. Read more in our repair vs. replace guide.
Replacement planning ranges come from our pricing guide — not a quote or guarantee.
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