Not only does your air conditioner help you to stay comfortable, it’s also vital to your health during the dog days of summer. Unfortunately, when the cool air quits blowing or the system won’t start up at all, you’re don’t have time to call around for more than a couple days.
When your air conditioner dies in the middle of the summer, you don’t always have time to look around for competing quotes or research average costs. Not knowing how much repairs can cost when the air conditioning service tech shows up can be intimidating, so we’re here to provide some price ranges on some standard services so you won’t be caught off guard when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning shows up 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 where the leak is, whether or not a leak test is needed, and what actually demands repair, a typical refrigerant leak detection and repair can cost you anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on how accessible the leak is for the technician. If you’re feeling uneasy, you can ask your air conditioning repair expert to walk you through his or her process and review their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
Sometimes the culprit may be beyond the air conditioner 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 AC could cost 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 standard thermostat. Depending on which style of thermostat you choose, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to get it installed. Thanksfully, the newest thermostats could pay back their cost in energy management savings, depending on if they are programmed properly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your air conditioner is still only a couple years old or you choose to repair your older system instead of purchasing an energy-efficient AC 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 two of the most typical for your air conditioning system.
A/C Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always good to weigh the pros and cons of choosing to repair your current air conditioning equipment versus buying an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing your AC’s fan motor is the better choice for you, a fan motor replacement could run you between $500 and $1200.
NOTE: Part repair under warranty
A common confusion is that if a part replacement is required, that it is covered under the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many other costs that may not be covered under the warranty that you will be required to pay for out-of-pocket. Even with typical repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the HVAC contractor still has to process your warranty through the manufacturer so they can receive the credit on the part. Also, all manufacturers instruct the contractor to hold the part for eight to sixteen weeks and may require the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, a compressor for example, are encompassed in this process but those types of repairs have ancillary supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered through the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Unless you have a labor warranty you will continuously have to pay additionally for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans introduce parts and labor coverage that work in tandem with the manufacturer’s warranty to keep you from surprise repair costs.
Always understand that these ranges are estimates and costs can increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the actual issues with your AC, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been getting regular maintenance to maintain the health of your A/C and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your AC has just plain given up and replacement is more likely, take a moment to review 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.