Repairs seems to have been the word in 2025: homeowners are holding off on full replacements and asking for more repair work instead. A recent poll by Homepros backed that up:
- 52% reported a significant shift toward repairs
- 26% saw a slight shift
- 18% said things stayed about the same
- Only 4% noticed the opposite
That means nearly eight out of ten contractors are now seeing more repair work than new installs.
Why More Customers Are Choosing Repairs
Through conversations with contractors, here are the most common reasons:
- Tighter budgets: Between higher grocery bills, gas prices, and mortgage rates, a lot of families just aren’t ready to take on the cost of a brand-new system. For homeowners weighing their options, Lennox recommends a simple guideline: multiply the unit’s age by the repair cost; if the number is greater than $5,000, replacement may be the smarter choice.
- Financing needs: More customers are asking about financing than ever before. One contractor in the poll noted that their usual split of 75% replacement to 25% repair shifted this year to 70/30, and they’re seeing many more people financing the jobs than before.
- Refrigerant supply: With R-454B in short supply, many are advising repairs until the market stabilizes.
This shift changes how contractors schedule, sell, and service. Smaller repair jobs bring different challenges than replacements, and financing is quickly becoming part of the daily conversation.
What Really Tips the Scale: Repair vs. Replacement
While every home and system is different, contractors are telling us the same thing: at the end of the day, the decision to repair or replace an HVAC system today depends on a lot of factors.
When repair makes sense:
- A system under 10 years old that still has plenty of life left.
- Issues that are minor, like a fuse, capacitor, or refrigerant leak, that can be fixed quickly and cost-effectively.
- When the repair bill is far less than replacement, and the homeowner isn’t worried about energy efficiency just yet.
When replacement is the better call:
- Systems over 10–15 years old that are showing their age.
- Major failures like compressors or heat exchangers, where repair costs creep close to or even exceed the price of a new unit.
- Frequent breakdowns that eat into the homeowner’s wallet and confidence.
- Homeowners who want lower energy bills, better comfort, and to stay ahead of 2025 refrigerant phase-outs.
- Families planning to stay put long-term, who see an energy-efficient system as a smart investment in their home.
These are the conversations happening at the kitchen table every day. And as contractors, you’re the one helping families balance today’s budget concerns with tomorrow’s comfort needs. While the new regulations and costs might make replacement seem less appealing, a well-maintained unit system is still the best option.
How We Help Contractors Adapt
At Comfort Connect, we built the Premier Program® to help contractors thrive whether customers are focused on repairs today or planning for a new system tomorrow.
- Make It Easier for Customers to Say Yes
With the Premier Program®, homeowners can get a new system without worrying about a huge upfront bill. Their monthly payment covers installation, maintenance, repairs, even filters, so they’re not hit with surprise costs down the road. - Reliable Cash Flow for Your Business
We pay you upfront after the install. From there, you stay connected with the customer through service and maintenance, building peace of mind over the life of the program. - Build Long-Term Relationships
Since maintenance and service are part of the program, those customers rely on only you and your business. So when they’re ready for an upgrade or add-on, you’re already the one they know and call. - You Stay in Control
You handle the install, service, and relationship. We provide the tools to help you close the customer. - Support Every Step of the Way
We don’t just hand you a program. We train your team, provide sales and marketing tools, and back you with live U.S.-based support so you can roll it out smoothly and confidently.
Looking Ahead
Customer preferences aren’t fixed. Right now, more are leaning toward repairs. In the future, the pendulum may swing back toward replacements. Our goal is to make sure you’re ready either way.
With Comfort Connect, you’re ready for the ups and downs of the market, and set up to keep growing no matter which way things swing. We believe that the contractors who adapt now will be the ones to lead the field five years from now.