How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?
Not only does air conditioning keep you comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health through the dog days of summer. Unfortunately, when the cool air stops blowing or your air conditioner won’t turn on at all, you’re not able to look around for a few days.
When your air conditioning dies in the middle of the summer, you might not have time to shop around for competing quotes or research average costs. Not having an idea 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 common services so you won’t be surprised when Stevenson Service Experts arrives to get you cool and comfortable 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 a leak test is needed, and what exactly needs to be repaired, a normal 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 unsure, feel free to ask your AC repair professional to show you his or her process and explain their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
There are times when the culprit may be beyond the A/C system itself and the circuit board may need to be replaced. Depending on the make and model of your air conditioner, a new circuit board for your equipment could run 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 most likely going to end up paying anywhere between $200 and $550 to install a new one. Luckily, the newest 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 system instead of investing in an energy-efficient A/C system upgrade, a capacitor will probably cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 – $350. These repairs are two of the most typical for your air conditioner.
A/C Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always responsible to review the pros and cons of paying to repair your current air conditioning equipment versus buying 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 misunderstanding 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 under the warranty that will be your out-of-pocket costs. Even with standard repairs, such as a capacitor replacement, the company still has to process this warranty through the manufacturer so they can receive the credit on the part. Furthermore, all manufacturers demand the contractor to hold the part for eight to sixteen weeks and may make the contractor return the bad part at the contractor’s cost. Larger 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 under the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. If you don’t have a labor warranty you will continue have to pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans carry parts and labor coverage that work in tandem with the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from sudden repair costs.
Remember that these ranges are estimates and costs can increase or decrease depending on where you live, the actual issues with your system, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been receiving annual maintenance to maintain the AC’s health and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit is pretty much dead and replacement is more likely, take a moment to read our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you want to find out more or ever need expert air conditioner repair, call Stevenson Service Experts 24/7/365.