Cost of waiting

Extra cost is the estimated total after waiting minus today’s quote: the repair quote, or the replacement quote when Repair vs replace recommends replacing. It shows how much more the customer may spend by waiting.

After a “Replace” recommendation, the calculator prices putting off the replacement instead of the repair. “Consider replace” keeps the repair view. Today’s cost is the replacement quote. Waiting adds the repair the old unit may need before it is replaced, weighted by the chance it fails first. Any after-hours call or secondary damage you select is weighted the same way, because it only happens if the unit breaks down. The chance is a planning assumption: the share of the unit’s remaining life the wait uses up, counting remaining life as at least one year and capping the chance at 80%. For example, a unit with about a year left, or less, has about a 50% modeled chance of failing within 6 months. The one-year minimum does not change the remaining life shown on Equipment health score. After a major failure that forces replacement, such as a failed compressor, the unit has already stopped, so the repair counts in full.

The 3-, 6- and 12-month estimates show how costs could grow the longer the customer waits. For a delayed repair, longer waits use larger assumed cost increases, adjusted for age and recent repairs. These are planning scenarios, not forecasts of future repair prices.

Energy is optional. Complete the electricity rate ($/kWh), current system power (kW), system power after the work (kW) and operating hours per month. We compare monthly energy costs before and after the work, then multiply the savings by 3, 6 and 12 months. Select “Find rate by ZIP” and enter a valid ZIP for an average residential rate. You can edit the rate at any time.

Both options are off by default. Select only risks that apply to this job: an after-hours breakdown, or secondary damage such as water damage or mold. Each adds an estimated cost to the waiting total. These are planning allowances, not quoted charges.

No. Figures are planning estimates based on your inputs and assumed factors, not a binding quote.

Yes, when equipment type or age is still missing. Select “Scan the nameplate”, then enter a serial number or attach a nameplate photo. Add the manufacturer if asked. AI can suggest equipment type, age and current system power (kW). Check the suggestions before using the result. You can edit the rate, operating hours and power after the work yourself. Climate and electricity rate ZIP lookups each fill only their own field. If type and age are already filled in, the scan is hidden: type the system power from the nameplate yourself.