How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?
Not only does your air conditioner help you to stay comfortable, it’s also a health necessity when we’re here in the extreme temperatures of summer. As a result, when the cool air suddenly isn’t blowing or your air conditioner won’t come on at all, you’re don’t have time to call around for more than a couple days.
When your AC dies 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 repairs can cost when the air conditioner service technician arrives can be intimidating, so we’re here to show you several price ranges on some standard services so you won’t be caught off guard when Chief/Bauer Service Experts 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 needs to be repaired, an average refrigerant leak detection and repair can actually cost anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the technician’s accessibility of the leak. If you’re feeling uneasy, you can ask your air conditioner repair professional to guide you through their 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 require replacement. Depending on the make and model of your air conditioner, 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 the type of thermostat you go with, you’re most likely going to end up paying anywhere between $200 and $550 to get it installed. Thanksfully, the newer thermostats could pay back their cost in energy management savings, provided they are programmed correctly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your AC is still only a few years old or you decide to repair your older AC instead of investing in 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 a couple of the most standard for your AC system.
A/C Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always important to assess the pros and cons of choosing to repair 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 decision for you, a fan motor replacement might 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 through the warranty that will be your responsibility. Even with standard repairs, for example, a capacitor replacement, the HVAC contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can get the credit on the part. Also, all manufacturers demand the contractor to keep the part for two to four months and may ask the contractor return the bad part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, such as a compressor, are included in this process but these larger repairs have additional supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered under the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Without a labor warranty you will continue have to pay additionally for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans introduce parts and labor coverage that works in tandem with the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from surprise repair costs.
Keep in mind that these ranges are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the specific issues with your AC, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been receiving regular maintenance to maintain the health of your air conditioning system and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your system is pretty much dead and replacement is more likely, take a moment to review our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you would like more information or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call Chief/Bauer Service Experts 24/7/365.
