Repair vs. Replace Calculator
Weigh a repair quote against the cost of replacing equipment. Enter what you know; the tool shows the cost relationship and an optional cost-per-year comparison.
Comparison
Below the common 50% guideline
Your repair quote is less than half the cost of replacement, which often favors repairing — but only you and a qualified technician can judge the unit’s condition.
This tool compares costs only
It will never tell you that a replacement is required, and it does not invent how many years your equipment has left. Final decisions depend on condition, safety, and a professional inspection. Non-financial factors — reliability, warranty, efficiency, and the risk of a mid-winter failure — are not captured by a dollar figure.
What this calculator does
It expresses your repair quote as a percentage of the replacement cost, flags the common “50% guideline,” and — if you supply your own estimates of remaining years and a new unit’s lifespan — compares the annualized cost of each path.
How to use it
- Pick the equipment category and enter its age.
- Enter the repair quote and an installed replacement quote.
- Optionally add the extra yearly operating cost of keeping the old unit.
- Optionally add your own estimate of remaining years and a new unit’s expected life.
Example
A $450 repair on equipment that would cost $1,600 to replace is 28% — below the 50% guideline, which often favors repair. If you expect only 2 more years from the repair, the cost-per-year view may change the picture.
Important limitations
This tool compares costs only. It will never state that replacement is necessary, and it does not guess how long your equipment will last — you provide those estimates. Safety issues (cracked heat exchangers, gas leaks, electrical faults) can make replacement the right call regardless of cost. When in doubt, get a professional inspection.