Not only does your AC system keep you comfortable, it’s also vital to your health through the dog days of summer. For that reason, when the cold air stops blowing or your AC won’t turn on at all, you’re not in a position to shop around for a few days.
When your air conditioner dies in the middle of the summer, you might not have time to call around for different quotes or research what you can expect to pay. Not knowing how much you can expect to pay when the AC service tech arrives can be scary, so we’re here to provide several price ranges on some common services so you won’t be shocked when Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning comes 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 how accessible the leak is, whether or not a leak test is needed, and what exactly demands repair, an average refrigerant leak detection and repair can actually cost anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the accessibility of the leak for the technician. If you’re feeling uneasy, you can ask your AC repair expert to show you his or her process and go over their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
At times 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 system could cost anywhere from $450 to $1300.
Thermostat Replacement
If you’re thinking about replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will usually cost more than a traditional thermostat. Depending on what kind of thermostat you choose, you’re probably going to pay anywhere between $200 and $550 to get it installed. Thanksfully, the newer thermostats could pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, depending on if they are programmed correctly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your A/C system is still only a few years old or you want to repair your older AC instead of investing in an energy-efficient A/C system upgrade, a capacitor will typically cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are some of the most typical for your air conditioning system.
AC Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always responsible to examine the pros and cons of paying to repair your current air conditioning equipment versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient piece of equipment. If replacing the fan motor is the better option for you, a fan motor replacement could be between $500 and $1200.
NOTE: Part repair under warranty
A common misunderstanding is that if there is a part that needs to be replaced, that it is covered through the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are several other costs that may not be covered through the warranty that will be your out-of-pocket costs. Even with typical repairs, such as a capacitor replacement, the HVAC contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can receive the credit on the part. Furthermore, all manufacturers demand the contractor to store the part for two to four months and may require the contractor return the malfunctioned part at the contractor’s cost. Bigger repairs, a compressor for example, are encompassed in this process but these bigger repairs have ancillary 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 incur charges for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans have parts and labor coverage that work with the manufacturer’s warranty to keep you from surprise repair expenses.
Keep in mind that these ranges are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the specific issues with your system, the age of your system, and whether or not you’ve been getting annual maintenance to maintain the AC’s health and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your system is pretty much dead and replacement seems more likely, take a moment to read our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you have any questions or ever need expert air conditioner repair, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 24/7/365.