How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

Not only does air conditioning make you comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health through the extreme temperatures of summer. As a result, when the cool air stops blowing or your air conditioner won’t start up at all, you’re not in a position to shop around for more than a couple days. 

When your AC breaks down in the middle of the summer, you don’t always have time to shop around for different quotes or research average costs. Not being sure how much repairs can cost when the air conditioner service tech knocks on your door can be scary, so we’re here to show you several price ranges on some common services so you won’t be surprised when Stevenson Service Experts comes to get you cool and comfortable again. 

  1. Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair: $150 – $500 
  1. AC Circuit Board Replacement: $450 – $1300 
  1. Thermostat Replacement: $200 – $500 
  1. Capacitor Replacement: $250 – $350 
  1. Contactor Replacement: $150 – $350 
  1. 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, an average 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 air conditioner repair technician to guide you through their process and review their findings. 

AC Circuit Board Replacement 

Sometimes the culprit may be beyond the AC equipment itself and the circuit board may require replacement. Depending on the make and model of your air conditioner, a new circuit board for your equipment could cost anywhere from $450 to $1300. 

Thermostat Replacement 

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will usually cost more than a standard thermostat. Depending on which style of thermostat you go with, you’re probably going to pay anywhere between $200 and $550 to have a new on installed. Luckily, the newer thermostats might 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 young or you choose to repair your older system instead of investing in an energy-efficient air conditioning upgrade, a capacitor will probably cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can be priced a little lower, ranging from $150 – $350. These repairs are a couple of the most common for your air conditioning system. 

A/C Fan Motor Replacement 

Again, it’s always important to consider the pros and cons of repairing your current air conditioning equipment versus buying an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing your AC’s fan motor is the better option for you, a fan motor replacement might run you 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 under the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many other costs that may not be covered through 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 the warranty through the manufacturer so they can obtain the credit on the part. Also, all manufacturers demand the contractor to keep 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 additional supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered under the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. Unless you have a labor warranty you will always have to pay additionally for the technician’s labor. 

Some of our Membership Plans carry parts and labor coverage that work with the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from surprise repair bills. 

Keep in mind that these ranges are estimates and costs can increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the actual issues with your equipment, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been having annual maintenance to maintain the health of your A/C 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 AC repair, call Stevenson Service Experts 24/7/365.