How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

August 05, 2016

Not only does air conditioning keep you comfortable, it’s also a health necessity through the dog days of summer. Unfortunately, when the cool air stops blowing or your AC won’t come on at all, you’re don’t have time to look around for a few days.

When your air conditioner dies in the heat of the summer, you might not have time to call around for different quotes or research what you can expect to pay. Not having an idea how much you can expect to pay when the AC service expert shows up can be unnerving, so we’re here to show you some price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be surprised 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 where the leak is, whether or not it requires a leak test, and what precisely needs to be repaired, a regular 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 not confident, feel free to ask your air conditioner repair technician to guide you through his or her process and review their findings.

AC Circuit Board Replacement

There are times when 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 system could run anywhere from $450 to $1300.

Thermostat Replacement

If you’re looking to replace your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will likely cost more than a standard thermostat. Depending on what kind of thermostat you go with, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to install a new one. Thanksfully, the newest thermostats might pay back their cost in energy management savings, provided they are programmed correctly.

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement

If your A/C system is still young or you choose to repair your older AC instead of buying an energy-efficient AC upgrade, a capacitor will probably cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are some of the most typical for your AC system.

A/C Fan Motor Replacement

Again, it’s always responsible to consider the pros and cons of choosing to repair your current air conditioning equipment versus purchasing an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing this part is the better decision 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 under the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many additional costs that may not be covered by the warranty that you will be required to pay for out-of-pocket. Even with common repairs, such as a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can obtain the credit on the part. Also, all manufacturers instruct the contractor to store the part for 60-120 days and may require the contractor return the bad part at the contractor’s cost. Larger repairs, a compressor for example, also require this process but these bigger repairs have additional supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered under the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Unless you have a labor warranty you will continuously have to pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.

Some of our Membership Plans include parts and labor coverage that works in tandem with the manufacturer’s warranty to protect you from unexpected repair bills.

Keep in mind that these prices are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on where you live, the actual 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 air conditioning system and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your AC has just plain given up and replacement seems more likely, take a moment to read our air conditioner pricing guide.

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

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