How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

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

When your air conditioner breaks down in the extreme temperatures of the summer, you may not have time to call around for competing quotes or research how much you may have to pay. Not having an idea how much you can expect to pay when the air conditioner service technician shows up can be intimidating, so we’re here to provide some price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be caught off guard 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 where the leak is, whether or not it requires a leak test, and what actually needs to be repaired, a normal refrigerant leak detection and repair can end up costing anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the accessibility of the leak for the technician. If you’re feeling uneasy, feel free to ask your air conditioning repair expert to show you their process and explain their findings. 

AC Circuit Board Replacement 

Sometimes the issue may be beyond the A/C system itself and the circuit board may be in need of replacing. Depending on the make and model of you’re A/C system, a new circuit board for your equipment could be priced anywhere from $450 to $1300. 

Thermostat Replacement 

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will likely cost more than a basic thermostat. Depending on what kind of thermostat you decide on, you’re probably going to pay anywhere between $200 and $550 to install a new one. Luckily, the latest thermostats might pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, provided they are programmed correctly. 

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement 

If your air conditioner is still only a few years old or you decide to repair your older equipment instead of investing in an energy-efficient air conditioning 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 standard for your air conditioner. 

AC Fan Motor Replacement 

Again, it’s always important to examine the pros and cons of paying to repair your current air conditioner versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient air conditioner. If replacing this part is the better decision for you, a fan motor replacement might cost between $500 and $1200. 

NOTE: Part repair under warranty 

A common misunderstanding is that if a part replacement is required, that it is covered through the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are several other costs that may not be covered under the warranty that will be your responsibility. Even with standard repairs, for example, a capacitor replacement, the HVAC contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can receive the credit on the part. Additionally, all manufacturers demand the contractor to keep the part for eight to sixteen weeks and may make the contractor return the malfunctioned part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, such as a compressor, are included in this process but these bigger repairs have more 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 incur charges for the technician’s labor. 

Some of our Membership Plans introduce parts and labor coverage that work with the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from unexpected repair expenses. 

Keep in mind that these prices are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the actual issues with your AC, the age of your system, and whether or not you’ve been having regular maintenance to maintain the health of your A/C and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit 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 Stevenson Service Experts 24/7/365.