How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

Not only does your air conditioner make you comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health during the extreme temperatures of summer. Unfortunately, when the cool air stops blowing or your AC won’t start up at all, you’re not in a position to call around for several days. 

When your AC dies in the middle of the summer, you might not have time to shop around for competing quotes or research what you can expect to pay. Not being sure how much it may cost when the air conditioner service tech shows up can be intimidating, so we’re here with a few price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be alarmed when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning shows up to get you cool and comfortable 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 the accessibility of the leak, whether or not there needs to be a leak test, and what actually requires repair, a regular refrigerant leak detection and repair can cost you anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the technician’s accessibility of the leak. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask your AC repair professional to walk you through his or her process and review their findings. 

AC Circuit Board Replacement 

At times the problem may be beyond the AC equipment itself and the circuit board may be in need of replacing. Depending on the make and model of you’re A/C system, 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 usually cost more than a basic thermostat. Depending on what kind of thermostat you choose, you’re most likely going to end up paying anywhere between $200 and $550 to have a new on installed. Thanksfully, the newest thermostats could pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, if they are programmed accordingly. 

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement 

If your AC is still young or you want to repair your older AC instead of buying an energy-efficient air conditioning upgrade, a capacitor will typically 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 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 this part is the better choice for you, a fan motor replacement might be between $500 and $1200. 

NOTE: Part repair under warranty 

A common misconception is that if a part replacement is required, that it is covered by the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are several additional costs that may not be covered through the warranty that will be your out-of-pocket costs. Even with standard 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. Furthermore, all manufacturers require the contractor to keep the part for 60-120 days and may require the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, a compressor for example, also require this process but these bigger repairs have ancillary supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered by the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. If you don’t have a labor warranty you will always have to incur charges for the technician’s labor. 

Some of our Membership Plans carry parts and labor coverage that work alongside the manufacturer’s warranty to protect you from sudden repair costs. 

Keep in mind that these prices are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the specific issues with your equipment, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been getting regular maintenance to maintain the health of your air conditioning system and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit is pretty much dead and replacement seems more likely, take a moment to review our air conditioner pricing guide. 

If you have any questions or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 24/7/365.