A Chanhassen homeowner recently called us for a second opinion after another company told him his 14-year-old Lennox air conditioner had to be replaced, quoting about $22,000, and claimed refrigerant could no longer legally be added to it. That claim is false. The newer refrigerant restrictions apply to new HVAC equipment being manufactured, not to servicing a system already installed in a home. Jason inspected the unit and found it was a couple pounds low on R-410A refrigerant because a small valve core had loosened. He corrected the valve, checked the common leak points with a leak detector, confirmed there were no other leaks, and topped off the refrigerant. Total repair cost: about $700. The AC kept the home cool through several days of 85-degree weather afterward. An older air conditioner may eventually need replacement, but its age alone, or the fact that it runs on R-410A, doesn't mean that day has arrived. If you've been told your system can't be repaired, get a second opinion before signing off on a five-figure replacement.