---
title: "Should I repair or replace my AC unit in West Palm Beach?"
description: "The 5,000 rule is a useful West Palm Beach starting point: multiply your AC unit's age (in years) by the repair cost; if the result exceeds $5,000, replacement usually makes more financial sense than..."
url: https://gulfstreamcooling.com/faq-items/should-i-repair-or-replace-my-ac-unit-in-west-palm-beach/
date: 2026-04-22
modified: 2026-04-22
author: "GTammany"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Should I repair or replace my AC unit in West Palm Beach?

The 5,000 rule is a useful West Palm Beach starting point: **multiply your AC unit's age (in years) by the repair cost; if the result exceeds $5,000, replacement usually makes more financial sense than repair** — especially in a coastal-adjacent climate where the next failure isn't far off.

**Replace your AC when:**

- The unit is **10+ years old** (West Palm Beach's heat and humidity shorten the typical 15-year AC lifespan to roughly 8–12 years)

- The repair cost exceeds **30–40% of the replacement cost**

- The system uses **R-22 refrigerant** (phased out; recharges are prohibitively expensive)

- You've had **two or more compressor or coil failures** in the last 24 months

- Your electric bill has climbed with no change in usage (a sign of efficiency loss)

**Repair your AC when:**

- The unit is under 8 years old and well-maintained

- The failed part is electrical (capacitor, contactor, thermostat) or a simple mechanical failure

- The repair is under $1,000 and utility bills are stable

Replacement in West Palm Beach triggers a **Palm Beach County mechanical permit**, which a licensed contractor handles on your behalf. Gulfstream Cooling will walk you through the repair-vs-replace math honestly. Call **(561) 531-3665** for an assessment.