How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

Not only does your air conditioner keep you comfortable, it’s also vital to your health through the dog days of summer. For that reason, when the cool air quits blowing or the system won’t turn on at all, you’re not in a position to call around for several days.

When your AC breaks down in the heat of the summer, you may not have time to call around for competing quotes or research what you can expect to pay. Not knowing how much it may cost when the AC service expert shows up can be scary, so we’re here to provide a few price ranges on some common services so you won’t be caught off guard when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing arrives to get you up and running again.

1. 1. Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair: $150 – $500

2. 2. AC Circuit Board Replacement: $450 – $1300

3. 3. Thermostat Replacement: $200 – $500

4. 4. Capacitor Replacement: $250 – $350

5. 5. Contactor Replacement: $150 – $350

6. 6. AC Fan Motor Replacement: $500 – $1200

Refrigerant Leak Detection and Repair

Depending on the accessibility of the leak, whether or not there needs to be a leak test, and what actually demands repair, a typical refrigerant leak detection and repair can end up costing anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the technician’s accessibility of the leak. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask your AC repair professional to guide you through their process and go over their findings.

AC Circuit Board Replacement

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

Thermostat Replacement

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will likely cost more than a traditional thermostat. Depending on which style of thermostat you choose, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to have a new on installed. Fortunately, the latest thermostats could pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, provided they are programmed accordingly.

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement

If your A/C system is still only a couple years old or you decide to repair your older system instead of buying an energy-efficient A/C system upgrade, a capacitor will typically cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 – $350. These repairs are some of the most standard for your AC system.

Air Conditioning Fan Motor Replacement

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

NOTE: Part repair under warranty

A common confusion is that if the issue calls for a part to be replaced, that it is covered by the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many other costs that may not be covered through the warranty that will be your out-of-pocket costs. Even with standard repairs, such as a capacitor replacement, the company still has to process this warranty through the manufacturer so they can receive the credit on the part. Additionally, all manufacturers instruct the contractor to keep the part for two to four months and may require the contractor return the malfunctioned part at the contractor’s cost. Bigger repairs, such as a compressor, also require this process but these larger repairs have ancillary supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered through the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. If you don’t have a labor warranty you will continue have to pay additionally for the technician’s labor.

Some of our Membership Plans carry parts and labor coverage that work alongside the manufacturer’s warranty to protect you from sudden repair costs.

Always understand that these prices are estimates and costs can increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the actual issues with your equipment, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been receiving annual maintenance to maintain the health of your air conditioning system and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit has seen its last summer and replacement seems more likely, take a moment to review our air conditioner pricing guide.

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