Repair your AC when the problem is clear and the system still keeps the house cool. Think about replacing it when repairs keep coming or it can’t keep up on hot days. At Quality Service Company, LLC in Florence, SC, your tech finds what’s wrong and explains why. You’ll hear your options, and any repair is quoted before work starts.
Why is the repair-or-replace choice harder in Florence?
An AC in Florence works long hours. NOAA records show Florence averages about 70 days a year at 90 degrees or higher. A normal July runs a high of 92 and a low of 72.
Some summers run hotter. Florence reached 103 degrees on July 27, 2025, and 100 degrees on July 5 and July 8, 2026.
Humidity is the other half of the job. Your AC cools the air and pulls water out of it. A worn system can run all afternoon and still leave the house clammy.
What are the signs your AC is failing?
Watch for these signs, especially during a long hot stretch:
- It can’t reach your thermostat setting on hot afternoons.
- Air from the vents feels warm or weak.
- It runs nonstop, or turns on and off every few minutes.
- Some rooms stay warm while others feel fine.
- The house feels damp or sticky even with the AC running.
- You hear new grinding, squealing or rattling sounds.
- Water collects around the indoor unit.
- Your electric bill climbs while your habits stay the same.
- It has needed a repair every summer.
A sign is not a diagnosis. Your tech will find the cause, then tell you why it happened.
When does repairing your AC make sense?
A repair is often the right call. It usually makes sense when:
- The problem is one clear part or cause.
- The system cooled the house well until now.
- It hasn’t needed repairs year after year.
- It uses a refrigerant that is still made today.
- The house stays dry and comfortable when it runs.
When should you think about replacing your AC?
Replacement is worth a look when:
- Repairs come back summer after summer.
- It still can’t keep up on hot afternoons after a repair.
- The house feels damp even when the AC runs.
- Some rooms never cool, and sizing or ducts are part of the reason.
- Your system uses R-22 refrigerant.
R-22 is an older refrigerant. The U.S. stopped making and importing it in 2020. What’s left is recycled or stockpiled, so an R-22 leak is a good time to weigh your options.
If a new system fits your home, learn more about AC installation and replacement in Florence.
What should you ask your tech before you decide?
Ask these before you choose:
- What exactly is wrong, and why did it happen?
- What does the repair include, and what doesn’t it?
- Is anything else close to wearing out?
- Which refrigerant does my system use?
- Are the ducts or the thermostat part of the problem?
- If I replace it, how will you size the new system?
That last question matters. A new system should be sized for your house, not copied from the old unit. An AC that is too big cools fast, shuts off and leaves the air damp.
Should your next system be a heat pump?
In Florence, heating and cooling needs are close to equal. NOAA normals show 2,257 cooling degree days and 2,334 heating degree days in a typical year.
A heat pump cools in summer and heats in winter with one system. Florence sees about 40 nights a year at freezing or below. Your tech can size backup heat for the coldest ones. Learn more about heat pumps for Florence homes.
Does the age of your home change the answer?
It can. Census figures show the median home in the City of Florence was built in 1983. Nearly half of those homes were built before 1980. In Darlington, more than two in three were.
A new unit on leaky ducts can still leave rooms warm. In an older home, ask your tech to check the ducts along with the equipment.
Can regular maintenance help you plan ahead?
Yes. A tune-up lets a tech look at your system before the hot months. That makes the choice easier when it comes. Learn more about HVAC maintenance and tune-ups.
How does Quality Service Company help you decide?
We’re independently owned by Chris McDonald and Chuck Polk. We’re not a franchise, and our people live where we work. More than 40 technicians serve Florence and the Pee Dee region.
We’re an authorized dealer for Ruud and Trane, and we have 24/7 dispatch for HVAC. Your tech will check the system and explain what’s wrong in plain words. You choose the repair or the replacement.
Call (843) 920-2004 or book online.
Common questions
How long does an air conditioner last in Florence?
No single age tells you when an air conditioner is worn out. Run time, humidity, upkeep and correct sizing all play a part. Florence systems work hard from May through September. Age alone shouldn’t decide it. How well the system cools, how dry the house feels and how often it needs repairs tell you more.
Can I still get R-22 refrigerant for my old AC?
Yes, but R-22 now comes only from recycled or stockpiled supply. The U.S. stopped making and importing R-22 in 2020. If your system leaks, adding more refrigerant doesn’t fix the leak. Your tech will find where it’s leaking and explain your options. Then you can weigh a repair against a new system for your home.
Should I repair my AC in the middle of summer?
A mid-summer repair is often the right move. It gets the house cool again and gives you time to think. Ask your tech what the repair covers and what else is wearing out. Then you can plan a replacement, if you need one, on a mild day instead of during a heat wave.
Do the indoor and outdoor units need to be replaced together?
It depends on your system. Efficiency ratings apply to a matched indoor coil and outdoor unit. Your tech will check both units and tell you whether they should be replaced together.