Central AC Unit Repair Costs | 2024 Guide
The following section of the site contains common repair costs for central air conditioners. We include the price of the parts, the estimated repair time and the cost for part installation. (Time to install measured in hours) You may be able to buy repair parts at some of the big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes. In most cases an ac capacitor Home Depot is going to be the same brand as a Lowes ac capacitor. Regardless of where you buy repair parts yourself, assure the ratings and specifications are the same as the part being replaced.
AC Service Call, Parts, Time and Installation Cost
|
Repair Task
|
Part Cost
|
Install Time
|
Cost Installed
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Troubleshooting Service Call * | – | 1-2 hours |
$75-$190
|
| Hourly Street Rate ** | – | – | $75-$150 |
| Replace Circuit Breaker | $25-$65 | 1 hr |
$110-$180
|
| Thermostat Replacement | $80-$220 | 1 |
$140-$325
|
| Replacement AC Contactor | $25-$75 | 1 | $110-$225 |
| Air Conditioner Capacitor | $25-$45 | 1 | $100-$225 |
| Air Conditioner Circuit Board *** | $40-$475 | 1 | $145-$575 |
| Repair Copper Lineset | – | 1-3 |
$160-$325
|
| Replace Copper Lineset (30 foot insulated) | $155-$350 | 2-4 | $365-$625 |
| Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost | $250-$550 | 2-4 |
$675-$1300
|
| TXV or Refrigerant Meter | $25-$60 | 1-2 | $150-$250 |
| Evaporator Drain Pan | $25-$65 | 1-2 | $100-$225 |
| Condensate Drain Line | $25-$45 | 1-2 | $100-$195 |
| Replace Condensate Pump | $35-$75 | 1 hour | $100-$165 |
| Compressor Hard Start Kit | $45-$75 | 1 | $100-$195 |
| Compressor Replacement**** | $175-$670 | 2-4 | $450-$1600 |
| Outdoor Coil Replacement**** | $175-$490 | 2-4 | $450-$1450 |
| Condensing Unit Fan Motor | $50-$200 | 1-2 | $100-$325 |
| Refrigerant Leak Detection ***** | $25-$45 | 1-3 hours | $135-$225 |
| R22 Refrigerant Recharge (3 pounds) | $90 | 1 hour | $210-$380 |
| R410 Refrigerant Charge (3 pounds) | $45 | 1 hour | $95-$145 |
* AC Service call fees may be waived under special agreements.
** The hourly street rate for central air conditioner repair cost is the per-hour rate a contractor charges for repairs that do not involve parts. In most cases, these rates are already factored into the total cost of the repair and are not charged separately. The rate is a computed value based on time, general materials, and company overhead like the office, phones, gas, etc.
*** There are an endless number of manufacturer specific oem circuit boards for central air conditioners. The cost of the parts varies widely.
**** Higher cost central air conditioner repair prices should prompt you to request replacement estimates at the same time. (get free estimates for repair or replacement systems)
***** Finding leaks in a central air conditioner system is not an easy task. Companies will use dye packs or other tools like sniffers to locate leaks, but it can take several hours on systems with concealed parts. In many cases, when a slow leak cannot be immediately located, it’s an indication that the evaporator coil or lineset is the culprit. When that occurs, you should consider replacement if the unit is older than 8-10 years.