Cost to Keep Calculator
When to replace your system? The cost to keep it may help you decide.
Evaluation Period
How long would they want this system to last?
Conversation Coach
"If you were going to keep this system, how long would you want it to last?"
- Let them pick the number — most say 2–3 years. Don't suggest.
- Type their answer in months (2 years = 24).
Section 1 Conversation Coach — find the %
"The Department of Energy says about 43% of a typical utility bill goes to heating and cooling. Every home's a little different — mind if I ask a couple quick questions to dial that in for yours?"
Pool or hot tub? (pumps & heaters eat a big share of the bill)−8
Electric vehicle charged at home?−5
Older home — drafty, original windows, thin insulation?+5
Runs heat/AC hard — "we keep it 68 in summer"?+4
Thinks their bills run higher than neighbors'?+3
Thinks their bills run lower than most?−3
☀️ Solar panels? Don't adjust the % — use what the bill would be without solar (the utility's usage history shows it), so the math stays honest.
"Based on what you've shared, the calculator puts your home at [X]%. It's your home and your math, though — want to use that, or would you rather be even more conservative?"
If they pick a lower number, take it gladly — "No problem, we'll use yours." The calculator made the recommendation, not you. Letting them override it builds trust, and the math still works.
"What do your utility bills usually run on average — gas and electric together? If you're not sure, feel free to grab one — I want your real number, not a guess."
"SEER is like miles-per-gallon for your AC — going from a 9 to a 16 is about 44% less cooling energy. A furnace works the same way: an 80% furnace sends 20 cents of every heating dollar up the flue; a 96% sends 4. The overpay number comes straight from those ratings — it's the equipment's data, not my opinion."
Heat pump home? Flip the Heating System toggle in the inputs — one machine heats and cools, so the SEER comparison covers both and the furnace drops out of the math.
1Utility Overpay
What an aging system quietly costs every month
Include gas and electric (if applicable) — everything that heats and cools the home.
Calculated from the customer's answers: 43%
Unsure of the current SEER or AFUE? Check the model number on the data plate — or snap a picture of the unit or model number and drop it into Edelman AI.
Old SEER is converted to the SEER2 scale (× 0.95) so both sides compare apples-to-apples.
Calculated from equipment ratings: 30%
Total Utility for Evaluation Period$0
Total Utility for Heating & Cooling$0
Utility Overpay$0
2Today's Repair
Money going into the old system right now
Conversation Coach — pick the right option
"We don't have a repair on the table today — everything checked out fine. But is there anything you've been putting off or thinking about?"
"I've plugged in today's repair — that $[X] is already part of the math."
- Never say "no repair on the table" if there is one. If a repair is quoted, enter the real quoted price — it's the most honest number in the whole tool.
- Maintenance visit, nothing found? Often $0 — that's fine, leave it blank.
- If they mention something they've been ignoring, plug in the real price.
Today's Repair Overpay$0
3Tomorrow's Repair
What's likely to come up before the evaluation ends
Conversation Coach
"Over the next couple of years, do you think it's likely, possible, or unlikely that something else might come up?"
- Let them answer first. If they're an optimist, put nothing.
- If they say "probably" — stay conservative: one repair at about half a typical repair cost.
"Let's be really optimistic together — say only one thing happens, and it's about half a typical repair. Sound fair?"
Tomorrow's Repair Overpay$0
4Inflation
What waiting does to the price of a new system
Conversation Coach — let them name the number
"Quick question — have you priced a new system lately? Any idea what a complete system actually costs these days?"
- Let them guess first. Whatever they say, you respond without judgment.
"In today's market — not just us, the whole industry — a complete system runs anywhere from about $9,000 to $30,000 depending on the home and the equipment. Based on your home, where do you think you'd land?"
- Let them place themselves in the range — it's their number now, not yours. Update the default if they pick differently.
- No idea? Leave it at the conservative $12,000 default.
"Equipment costs go up every year — installed prices rose 10 to 12 percent in just the last couple of years. Let's be really conservative and use 8%. Sound fair?"
Always undershoot the rate — the math compounds year over year, the way prices actually move. At 8%, a $12,000 system is about $14,000 two years from now.
System Overpay Due to Inflation$0
5$ For Today's Buyers
Incentives that may not be here later (optional)
Conversation Coach
"Right now there are often incentives available — utility rebates, manufacturer rebates, sometimes company incentives. If any apply, we can factor them in. If it's not the right time, no big deal — we'll assume they're all still around in two years and leave it blank."
- Leaving it blank is the conservative play and keeps it from feeling salesy.
- If you enter amounts, use real numbers only — never guess.
Lost Opportunity$0
The Comparison
Cost to Keep
$0
per month
Total: $0
Cost to Replace
$0
per month (flexible financing)
Total today: $0
Monthly Financial Impact to Keep
$0
Enter the numbers together and the comparison builds itself.
Same system if you wait (after evaluation period)$0
Conversation Coach — showing the result
"So here's what the numbers show. Keeping it runs about $[keep] a month. Replacing it on a flexible plan is about $[replace] a month. Those are your numbers — how you interpret them is totally up to you."
- Don't editorialize. No "wow, look at that." The numbers speak.
- Ready to recap with the customer? Tap Customer Summary below — it shows everything you entered together, clean and fluff-free.
"If you'd like to explore it, we do free estimates — one of our advisors can come out, take a look, and answer anything. Then you'd have both options in front of you. Want me to set that up?"
The goal is the lead, not the sale. A free-estimate appointment is a win.
Your Numbers
Everything below came from your home and your answers.
Side by Side
Cost to Keep
$0
per month
Total over the period: $0
Cost to Replace
$0
per month (flexible financing)
Total today: $0
Monthly Financial Impact to Keep
$0
The same system if you wait until the end of the period$0
These are your numbers — how you interpret them is completely up to you.