How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?
Not only does air conditioning help you to stay comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health during the dog days of summer. As a result, when the cool air stops blowing or your air conditioner won’t come on at all, you’re not in a position to call around for more than a couple days.
When your air conditioner breaks down in the extreme temperatures of the summer, you don’t always have time to call around for different quotes or research how much you may have to pay. Not knowing how much you can expect to pay when the AC service technician knocks on your door can be scary, so we’re here with several price ranges on some standard services so you won’t be alarmed when McKinley Heating Service Experts arrives 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 precisely needs to be repaired, a typical refrigerant leak detection and repair can end up costing anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the technician’s accessibility of the leak. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask your AC repair expert to show you their process and go over their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
At times the problem 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 be priced 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 standard thermostat. Depending on which style of thermostat you decide on, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to get it installed. Thanksfully, the newer thermostats could pay back their cost in energy management savings, if they are programmed accordingly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your air conditioner is still young or you want to repair your older equipment instead of purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioning upgrade, a capacitor will most likely 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.
AC Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always important to consider the pros and cons of choosing to repair your current AC system versus purchasing an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing this part is the better choice for you, a fan motor replacement could 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 under the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many additional costs that may not be covered under the warranty that will be your out-of-pocket costs. Even with standard repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can receive the credit on the part. Furthermore, all manufacturers require the contractor to keep the part for two to four months and may require the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, like a compressor, also require 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 labour warranty you will always have to pay additionally for the technician’s labour.
Some of our Membership Plans include parts and labour coverage that work alongside the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from sudden repair expenses.
Remember that these ranges are estimates and they can often increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the particular issues with your system, how old your equipment is, and whether or not you’ve been receiving annual maintenance to maintain the health of your A/C and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your system has just plain given up and replacement is more likely, take a moment to read our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you would like more information or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call McKinley Heating Service Experts 24/7/365.
