Repair or Replace Your AC or Furnace in Las Vegas?

When your air conditioner quits in July or your furnace won't light on the first cold night, the big question comes fast: fix it, or put in a new system? At 32 Degrees AC & Furnace Repair we're a repair-first company. We'd rather keep your equipment running if that's the smart money. But sometimes another repair is just throwing good money after bad. Here's how to think it through, with the things that are different about owning an HVAC system in Las Vegas.

Why Las Vegas systems wear out differently

Most of the country runs the AC a few months a year. Here it can run from April into October, often for hours on end with outdoor temperatures well over 100°F. That means more run time, more starts and more heat stress on the compressor, fan motors and capacitors than an AC in a mild climate ever sees. Our fine desert dust clogs filters and coils, and the monsoon season brings power flickers that are hard on circuit boards.

Furnaces have the opposite life. They sit unused for months, usually up in a hot attic, and then are asked to work on the first cold morning. Many of the furnace calls we get each fall are parts that dried out or got dusty over the summer, not furnaces that are worn out. That's why the age of the furnace alone doesn't decide the answer.

When a repair usually makes sense

The system is fairly young and has been reliable. One breakdown in an otherwise healthy system is normal.
The problem is a common part. Capacitors, contactors, fan motors, igniters, flame sensors and clogged drains are routine repairs that can give you years more service.
The repair is a small share of what a new system costs.
The house cools and heats evenly when the system runs and your power bills haven't jumped.

When replacement is worth a serious look

A major part has failed on an older system. A compressor, an evaporator coil or a cracked heat exchanger on an aging system often costs a large share of a new one.
You're calling for repairs every season. Small bills add up, and so does the stress of wondering if it will make it through August.
It uses R-22 refrigerant. R-22 is no longer produced, so recharging a leaking system keeps getting more expensive. A leak on an R-22 system is often the tipping point.
Bills keep climbing or some rooms never get comfortable. Older equipment loses efficiency, and a system that was sized wrong never performs well.
You plan to stay in the home. A newer, higher-efficiency system pays you back every summer in lower cooling costs.

A simple rule of thumb

Many in the industry multiply the system's age in years by the repair cost. If that number is high compared with the price of a new system, replacement is usually the better investment. It's a starting point, not a rule. A young system with an expensive repair under warranty is a different story than an old system with the same bill. We'll walk through your actual numbers with you.

What about the furnace and AC together?

In most Las Vegas homes the AC's indoor coil sits on top of the furnace, and the two work as a matched system. If the AC is being replaced and the furnace is the same age, it often makes sense to replace both at once: one permit, one install day, and matched equipment that's rated to work together. If the furnace is much newer and in good shape, we can often keep it. We'll tell you which applies to your home.

Questions to ask before you decide

How old is the system, and what refrigerant does it use?
What exactly failed, and what will the repair cost, in writing?
Is the part still under manufacturer warranty?
Is anything else close to failing?
If I replace, what size and efficiency does my home actually need?

Got a "you need a new system" quote? Get a free second opinion

We hear it every fall and winter: a homeowner is told their system is done, gets a big replacement quote, and isn't sure it's true. A second opinion from 32 Degrees AC & Furnace Repair is always free. Share what the other company found (the diagnosis, any readings, photos and the quote) and we'll check the system ourselves and give you an honest answer, even if that answer is a repair. You don't have to tell us who gave the first quote.

How we help you decide

If you call us for a repair, we diagnose the problem and give you an upfront price before any work. If replacement is worth considering, we'll show you both options side by side, with no pressure.

If you're leaning toward replacing, our replacement pricing tool shows starting prices for your type and size of system in about a minute, and our free in-home replacement estimate gets you exact written pricing for Good, Better and Best options. Financing is available through our financing partners Synchrony, Acorn Finance, JB Finance and RTO National (rent-to-own), subject to credit approval; see our financing page.

The bottom line

Repair when the system is reasonably young, the problem is a routine part and the repair is a small share of a new system. Replace when a major part fails on an older system, repairs are constant, it runs on R-22, or it can't keep your home comfortable. When you're not sure, ask someone who has no reason to push either answer.

Ready to find out? See replacement prices or schedule your free in-home replacement estimate, or call 702-635-9505. You pick the day and time.

32 Degrees AC & Furnace Repair · NV Lic. #88234 · Serving the Las Vegas Valley since 2020 · Calls answered 24/7 · Call 702-635-9505 · Book Now

Repair or Replace Your AC?