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.