How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?
Not only does your air conditioner help you to stay comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health when we’re here in the heat of summer. Unfortunately, when the chilly air suddenly isn’t blowing or your air conditioner won’t start up at all, you’re don’t have time to call around for several days.
When your air conditioning goes out in the middle of the summer, you don’t always have time to look around for competing quotes or research average costs. Not knowing how much you can expect to pay when the AC service tech arrives can be scary, so we’re here with a few price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be surprised when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing arrives to get you up and running again.
- Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair: $150 – $500
- AC Circuit Board Replacement: $450 – $1300
- Thermostat Replacement: $200 – $500
- Capacitor Replacement: $250 – $350
- Contactor Replacement: $150 – $350
- AC Fan Motor Replacement: $500 – $1200
Refrigerant Leak Detection and Repair
Depending on how accessible the leak is, whether or not it requires a leak test, and what actually needs to be repaired, a normal refrigerant leak detection and repair can cost you anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the technician’s accessibility of the leak. If you’re not confident, feel free to ask your air conditioning repair expert to guide you through the process and review their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
At times the culprit may be beyond the air conditioner itself and the circuit board may be in need of replacing. Depending on your AC make and model, a new circuit board for your AC could cost anywhere from $450 to $1300.
Thermostat Replacement
If you’re thinking about replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will usually cost more than a traditional thermostat. Depending on what kind of thermostat you decide on, you’re most likely going to end up paying anywhere between $200 and $550 to install a new one. Thanksfully, the newer thermostats might pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, if they are programmed accordingly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your air conditioner is still only a few years old or you want to repair your older AC instead of buying an energy-efficient AC upgrade, a capacitor will typically cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 – $350. These repairs are a couple of the most typical for your air conditioner.
AC Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always important to consider the pros and cons of paying to repair your current air conditioner versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient piece of equipment. If replacing the fan motor is the better decision for you, a fan motor replacement could cost 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 through the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many additional costs that may not be covered through the warranty that will be your responsibility. Even with standard repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the company still has to process this warranty through the manufacturer so they can obtain the credit on the part. Also, all manufacturers require the contractor to hold the part for 60-120 days and may require the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Larger repairs, like a compressor, are encompassed in this process but these bigger repairs have ancillary supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered by the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. If you don’t have a labour warranty you will continue have to incur charges for the technician’s labour.
Some of our Membership Plans allow for parts and labour coverage that work with the manufacturer’s warranty to keep you from unexpected repair expenses.
Remember that these ranges are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the actual issues with your system, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been getting annual maintenance to maintain the AC’s health and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your system is pretty much dead and replacement is more likely, take a moment to read our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you would like more information or ever need expert air conditioner repair, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 24/7/365.
