How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

Not only does your air conditioner keep you comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health through the heat of summer. Unfortunately, when the cool air quits blowing or your AC won’t start up at all, you’re not able to call around for more than a couple days.

When your air conditioner goes out in the extreme temperatures of the summer, you may not have time to call around for different quotes or research average costs. Not being sure how much it may cost when the air conditioning service technician knocks on your door can be unnerving, so we’re here with some price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be caught off guard when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning comes to get you cooling again.

1. Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair: $150 - $500
2. AC Circuit Board Replacement: $450 - $1300
3. Thermostat Replacement: $200 - $500
4. Capacitor Replacement: $250 - $350
5. Contactor Replacement: $150 - $350
6. AC Fan Motor Replacement: $500 - $1200

Refrigerant Leak Detection and Repair

Depending on how accessible the leak is, whether or not there needs to be a leak test, and what precisely needs to be repaired, a normal refrigerant leak detection and repair can actually cost anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on how accessible the leak is for the technician. If you’re unsure, you can ask your air conditioning repair technician to guide you through the process and review their findings.

AC Circuit Board Replacement

There are times when the issue may be beyond the AC equipment itself and the circuit board may require replacement. Depending on your AC make and model, a new circuit board for your system could cost anywhere from $450 to $1300.

Thermostat Replacement

If you’re thinking about replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will normally cost more than a traditional thermostat. Depending on the type of thermostat you go with, you’re probably going to pay anywhere between $200 and $550 to install a new one. Thanksfully, the latest thermostats could pay back their cost in energy management savings, if they are programmed correctly.

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement

If your AC is still young or you want to repair your older AC instead of buying an energy-efficient AC upgrade, a capacitor will most likely cost $250 to $350 and a contactor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are some of the most standard for your AC system.

AC Fan Motor Replacement

Again, it’s always good to assess the pros and cons of paying to repair your current air conditioner versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing your AC’s fan motor is the better option for you, a fan motor replacement may be between $500 and $1200.

NOTE: Part repair under warranty

A common misunderstanding is that if the issue calls for a part to be replaced, that it is covered through the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many other costs that may not be covered through the warranty that will be your responsibility. Even with standard repairs, such as a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process this warranty through the manufacturer so they can get the credit on the part. Furthermore, all manufacturers require the contractor to store the part for eight to sixteen weeks and may ask the contractor return the malfunctioned part at the contractor’s cost. Bigger repairs, such as a compressor, are included in this process but these bigger repairs have ancillary supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered under the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Without a labor warranty you will always have to pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.

Always understand that these costs are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the specific issues with your equipment, how old your equipment is, and whether or not you’ve been getting yearly maintenance to maintain the health of your A/C and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your system has just plain given up and replacement is looking more likely, take a moment to look at our air conditioner pricing guide.

If you would like more information or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 24/7/365.