When Should I Replace My AC System in Beaverton?

Most AC systems last 10-15 years with good maintenance. Past 15, replacement almost always beats repair. A few signals it's time:

• Repair math: Replace if a repair runs more than 50% of a new system's cost, or if repairs top $500-$1,000 and recur yearly.
• Rising bills: Climbing energy costs at steady usage, or uneven cooling and lingering humidity.
• Old refrigerant: Pre-2010 units often run phased-out R-22, making repairs pricier than newer R-410A systems.

Modern units rate 14-21+ SEER versus 8-10 on old ones, using 30-50% less energy and typically paying back the upgrade in 5-7 years. Beaverton's Willamette Valley summers hit the 80s-90s and sometimes 100°F, so a long cooling season strains aging equipment.