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 during the extreme temperatures of summer. For that reason, when the cold air quits blowing or your air conditioner won’t come on at all, you’re not in a position to call around for a few days.

When your AC breaks down in the heat of the summer, you may not have time to shop around for multiple quotes or research average costs. Not knowing how much it may cost when the air conditioning service tech shows up can be intimidating, so we’re here with some price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be alarmed when Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing comes to get you cooling 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 where the leak is, whether or not a leak test is required, and what exactly needs to be repaired, a regular refrigerant leak detection and repair can end up costing anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on how accessible the leak is for the technician. If you’re feeling uneasy, feel free to ask your air conditioning repair technician to guide you through his or her process and go over their findings.

AC Circuit Board Replacement

At times the issue may be beyond the air conditioner itself and the circuit board may need to be replaced. Depending on the make and model of you’re A/C system, a new circuit board for your AC could run 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 basic thermostat. Depending on what kind of thermostat you decide on, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to have a new on installed. Luckily, the newest thermostats may pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, depending on if they are programmed properly.

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement

If your air conditioner is still only a couple years old or you want to repair your older equipment instead of purchasing an energy-efficient AC upgrade, a capacitor will most likely cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 – $350. These repairs are two of the most standard for your air conditioner.

AC Fan Motor Replacement

Again, it’s always important to weigh the pros and cons of repairing your current air conditioning equipment versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient air conditioner. If replacing your AC’s fan motor is the better option for you, a fan motor replacement might cost between $500 and $1200.

NOTE: Part repair under warranty

A common misunderstanding is that if there is a part that needs to be replaced, that it is covered through the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many additional costs that may not be covered under the warranty that will be your responsibility. Even with common repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the HVAC contractor 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 store the part for two to four months and may ask the contractor return the bad part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, a compressor for example, 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 through the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Without a labor warranty you will continuously have to incur charges for the technician’s labor.

Some of our Membership Plans carry parts and labor coverage that works with the manufacturer’s warranty to keep you from sudden repair bills.

Always understand that these costs are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the particular issues with your equipment, how old your equipment is, and whether or not you’ve been receiving yearly maintenance to maintain the health of your A/C and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your system has seen its last summer and replacement is looking more likely, take a moment to read our air conditioner pricing guide.

If you want to find out more or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 24/7/365.