How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

Not only does your air conditioner keep you comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health when we’re here in the dog days of summer. For that reason, when the cold air suddenly isn’t blowing or your AC won’t come on at all, you’re not in a position to look around for more than a couple days.

When your air conditioner goes out in the extreme temperatures of the summer, you might not have time to look around for different quotes or research average costs. Not having an idea how much repairs can cost when the AC service tech shows up can be unnerving, so we’re here with a few price ranges on some standard services so you won’t be alarmed when Levy & Son 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 where the leak is, whether or not a leak test is needed, and what actually demands repair, an average 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 unsure, you can ask your AC repair expert to show you their process and explain their findings.

AC Circuit Board Replacement

At times the problem may be beyond the AC equipment itself and the circuit board may need to be replaced. Depending on the make and model of you’re A/C system, a new circuit board for your equipment could cost anywhere from $450 to $1300.

Thermostat Replacement

If you’re thinking about replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will likely cost more than a traditional thermostat. Depending on what kind of thermostat you choose, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to install a new one. Thanksfully, the newer thermostats could pay back their cost in energy management savings, depending on if they are programmed properly.

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement

If your AC is still only a couple years old or you choose to repair your older AC instead of purchasing an energy-efficient AC upgrade, a capacitor will most likely cost $250 to $350 and a contactor can be priced 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 assess the pros and cons of choosing to repair your current air conditioning equipment versus buying an upgraded, more energy-efficient piece of equipment. If replacing this part is the better choice for you, a fan motor replacement could 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 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, 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. Also, all manufacturers require the contractor to store the part for 60-120 days and may make the contractor return the malfunctioned part at the contractor’s cost. Larger repairs, a compressor for example, also require this process but these larger repairs have additional supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered by the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Unless you have a labor warranty you will always have to pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.

Keep in mind that these prices are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the specific issues with your equipment, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been getting yearly maintenance to maintain the health of your air conditioning system and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit has seen its last summer and replacement is looking 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 Levy & Son 24/7/365.