Not only does your AC system keep you comfortable, it’s also a health necessity through the heat of summer. As a result, when the cool air suddenly isn’t blowing or your air conditioner won’t start up at all, you’re not in a position to shop around for several days.
When your air conditioner breaks down in the heat of the summer, you might not have time to shop around for competing quotes or research average costs. Not knowing how much it may cost when the air conditioner service technician shows up can be unnerving, so we’re here with a few price ranges on some standard services so you won’t be shocked when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 there needs to be a leak test, and what actually requires 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, always ask your air conditioning repair technician to walk you through his or her process and explain their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
Sometimes the culprit may be beyond the A/C system itself and the circuit board may need to be replaced. Depending on your AC make and model, a new circuit board for your AC could be priced anywhere from $450 to $1300.
Thermostat Replacement
If you’re looking to replace your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will normally cost more than a basic thermostat. Depending on which style of thermostat you go with, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to get it installed. Fortunately, the latest thermostats could pay back their investment in energy management savings, provided they are programmed correctly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your air conditioner is still young or you want to repair your older equipment instead of purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioning upgrade, a capacitor will typically cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can run a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are two of the most common for your air conditioner.
Air Conditioning Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always responsible to assess the pros and cons of choosing to repair your current AC system versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing the fan motor is the better choice for you, a fan motor replacement could run you between $500 and $1200.
NOTE: Part repair under warranty
A common misunderstanding is that if a part replacement is required, that it is covered under 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 common repairs, for example, a capacitor replacement, the company still has to process this warranty through the manufacturer so they can get the credit on the part. Furthermore, all manufacturers demand the contractor to hold the part for 60-120 days and may ask the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Larger repairs, such as a compressor, also require this process but these larger repairs have additional supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered by the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Unless you have a labor warranty you will always have to pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans include parts and labor coverage that functions with the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from surprise repair costs.
Remember that these ranges are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on where you live, the specific issues with your AC, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been receiving yearly maintenance to maintain the AC’s health and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your AC has just plain given up and replacement seems more likely, take a moment to look at our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you have any questions or ever need expert AC repair, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 24/7/365.