Not only does your air conditioner keep you comfortable, it’s also a health necessity through the extreme temperatures of summer. As a result, when the cool air suddenly isn’t blowing or the system won’t come on at all, you’re not able to shop around for several days.
When your AC goes out in the extreme temperatures of the summer, you might not have time to call around for competing quotes or research average costs. Not knowing how much repairs can cost when the AC service expert knocks on your door can be unnerving, so we’re here to show you several price ranges on some common 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 where the leak is, whether or not a leak test is required, and what actually needs to be repaired, a typical 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 unsure, feel free to ask your AC repair technician to walk you through their process and go over their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
At times the problem 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 system 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 typically cost more than a traditional thermostat. Depending on which style of thermostat you go with, you’re probably going to pay anywhere between $200 and $550 to get it installed. Fortunately, the newest thermostats might pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, depending on if they are programmed correctly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your air conditioner is still only a couple years old or you want to repair your older system instead of investing in an energy-efficient A/C system upgrade, a capacitor will typically cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can be priced a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are a couple of the most typical for your air conditioning system.
AC Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always good to assess the pros and cons of paying to repair your current air conditioner versus buying an upgraded, more energy-efficient air conditioner. If replacing the fan motor is the better option for you, a fan motor replacement may run you between $500 and $1200.
NOTE: Part repair under warranty
A common misconception is that if a part replacement is required, that it is covered under the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are several other costs that may not be covered under the warranty that will be your out-of-pocket costs. Even with common repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can get the credit on the part. Additionally, all manufacturers instruct the contractor to hold the part for two to four months and may ask the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, like 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 through the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Without a labor warranty you will continuously have to pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans allow for parts and labor coverage that functions with the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from sudden repair expenses.
Keep in mind that these ranges are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the specific issues with your system, how old your equipment is, and whether or not you’ve been having regular maintenance to maintain the health of your air conditioning system and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit has just plain given up and replacement is looking more likely, take a moment to read 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.