Repair an AC in Palo Alto when it’s under about 10 years old and the fix is a common part like a capacitor, contactor or drain. Consider replacement when the system is 15 or more years old, has a refrigerant leak in the coil or compressor, or the repair costs a large share of a new system. If your heat is gas, a heat pump replaces both and may qualify for a CPAU rebate.
Four questions that decide it
1. How old is the system?
Check the data plate on the outdoor unit. Under 10 years, repair is almost always right. Between 10 and 15, it depends on the repair. Over 15, start comparing replacement options.
2. What failed?
Some repairs are small no matter the age: capacitors, contactors, fuses, thermostats and drain lines. Others are major: compressors, indoor coil leaks and outdoor coil leaks.
3. What refrigerant does it use?
Older systems may use refrigerants that are being phased down and getting more expensive. A leak on an older refrigerant often tips the scale toward replacement.
4. How is your heat provided?
If you heat with a gas furnace, replacing just the AC means you’ll face the furnace decision later. Replacing both with a heat pump solves both at once, and in Palo Alto the CPAU Heat Pump HVAC rebate applies when the heat pump replaces gas heat.
A simple rule of thumb
Multiply the system’s age by the repair cost. If the result is more than the cost of a new system, replacement deserves a serious look. It’s a rough guide, not a law, but it helps frame the conversation.
Why Palo Alto is different
- Mild climate. Systems run fewer hours, so many last longer than average. A 15-year-old system in Palo Alto may have plenty of life if it’s been maintained.
- Rebates. CPAU’s heat pump rebate changes the math for homes with gas heat.
- Permits. The City’s instant permit for heat pumps makes replacement faster to start.
What we do
On an AC repair visit, we give you the repair price first. If replacement is worth considering, we explain why and show the numbers, including rebates. No pressure either way.