When Should You Replace
Your AC in Arizona?

Arizona AC units work harder than anywhere else in the country — 6+ months of near-constant operation in temperatures that regularly exceed 110°F. Most units last 12–15 years here versus 15–20 in cooler climates. If your system is 12 years old or older, replacement is worth a serious conversation even if it's still running.

If the repair cost exceeds 50% of the replacement cost of a comparable new system, replace. Example: if a new system costs $6,000 and the repair is $3,200, replace. Bradford will always show you both numbers side by side — we never push a replacement when a repair is the right call.

If your system uses R-22 (Freon), it was manufactured before 2010. R-22 is no longer produced in the United States — Bradford charges $150/lb when available, and supply is limited. A refrigerant leak on an R-22 system is almost always a replacement trigger. The economics simply don't work.

If you've had 2 or more repairs in the past 2 years, the system is likely in a failure cascade — one component failing puts stress on others. Track your repair costs. If the cumulative total is approaching the cost of a new system, it's time to stop throwing money at the old one.

Arizona's extreme heat makes efficiency critical. A 16+ SEER2 system can save $300–$600 per year on APS and SRP bills compared to an old 10 SEER unit. Both APS and SRP offer rebates for high-efficiency replacements. Over 10 years, the energy savings often more than pay for the new system.