Not only does your air conditioner help you to stay comfortable, it’s also a health necessity when we’re here in the heat of summer. For that reason, when the cold air suddenly isn’t blowing or your AC won’t turn on at all, you’re not able to look around for more than a couple days.
When your AC breaks down in the extreme temperatures of the summer, you might not have time to look around for multiple quotes or research what you can expect to pay. Not being sure how much repairs can cost when the air conditioner service tech knocks on your door can be intimidating, so we’re here with a few price ranges on some common services so you won’t be shocked when Peitz Service Experts shows up to get you cooling 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, an average 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 professional to guide you through their process and go over their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
At times the culprit may be beyond the air conditioner itself and the circuit board may be in need of replacing. Depending on the make and model of your air conditioner, a new circuit board for your AC could cost anywhere from $450 to $1300.
Thermostat Replacement
If you’re looking to replace your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will likely 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 install a new one. Fortunately, the newer thermostats may pay back their investment in energy management savings, if they are programmed correctly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your A/C system is still only a couple years old or you decide to repair your older equipment instead of buying an energy-efficient air conditioning upgrade, a capacitor will most likely cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can cost a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are two of the most common for your air conditioner.
Air Conditioning Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always good to examine the pros and cons of repairing your current air conditioner versus purchasing an upgraded, more energy-efficient air conditioner. If replacing this part is the better option for you, a fan motor replacement may cost between $500 and $1200.
NOTE: Part repair under warranty
A common confusion is that if a part replacement is required, that it is covered through the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are many additional costs that may not be covered through the warranty that you will be required to pay for out-of-pocket. Even with standard repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the company still has to process your warranty through the manufacturer so they can obtain the credit on the part. Also, all manufacturers instruct the contractor to store the part for 60-120 days and may make the contractor return the bad part at the contractor’s cost. Larger repairs, a compressor for example, also require this process but these larger 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 continuously have to incur charges for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans introduce parts and labor coverage that work in tandem with the manufacturer’s warranty to keep you from surprise repair costs.
Keep in mind that these ranges are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on where you live, the particular issues with your equipment, the age of your system, and whether or not you’ve been getting annual maintenance to maintain the health of your air conditioning system and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit has seen its last summer and replacement seems more likely, take a moment to look at our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you want to find out more or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call Peitz Service Experts 24/7/365.