When repairing refrigeration equipment, sometimes it is better to replace the whole system rather than repair it. On these occasions, it is better to have this discussion with the equipment owner, because your input can be quite valuable to them. When I am asked this question, I generally defer to the “50 percent rule.” If the repair will be more than 50 percent of the cost of a new system, it is generally best to replace it. However, there may be other factors to present to the owner to help them make the best decision for their business.
One of the biggest considerations is reliability. Having a properly operating system that constantly maintains the correct temperature is extremely important. A system that either breaks down constantly or does not maintain the correct temperature is a major headache for owners and their employees. So if the equipment is damaged to the point where it may continue to break down regularly, it might be best to replace it. For example, the system may have an easy-to-repair refrigerant leak, but its condenser coil is quite damaged, causing it to run at a higher-than-normal discharge pressure and temperature. The immediate repair may be more economical, but future repairs can be frequent and costly. These future costs could add up to the point where it would be more expensive to fix the system than replace it.