Not only does your AC system help you to stay comfortable, it’s also vital to your health when we’re here in the extreme temperatures of summer. As a result, when the cool air suddenly isn’t blowing or your AC won’t turn on at all, you’re not able to shop around for a few days.
When your air conditioner goes out in the heat of the summer, you may not have time to look around for multiple quotes or research average costs. Not having an idea how much repairs can cost when the air conditioner service expert shows up can be scary, so we’re here with a few price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be alarmed when Stevenson Service Experts arrives to get you cool and comfortable 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 it requires a leak test, and what actually needs to be repaired, a typical refrigerant leak detection and repair can cost you 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 conditioner repair professional to show you his or her 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 need to be replaced. Depending on the make and model of you’re A/C system, a new circuit board for your system could cost anywhere from $450 to $1300.
Thermostat Replacement
If you’re interested in replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will normally 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. Thanksfully, the newer thermostats could pay back their investment in energy management savings, provided they are programmed accordingly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your AC is still only a few years old or you decide to repair your older AC instead of purchasing an energy-efficient A/C system upgrade, a capacitor will probably cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can run a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are a couple of the most common for your AC system.
A/C Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always important to weigh the pros and cons of repairing your current air conditioner versus purchasing an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing your AC’s fan motor is the better decision for you, a fan motor replacement could cost between $500 and $1200.
NOTE: Part repair under warranty
A common confusion is that if there is a part that needs to be replaced, that it is covered through the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are several additional costs that may not be covered through the warranty that will be your responsibility. Even with typical repairs, such as a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can get the credit on the part. Also, all manufacturers require the contractor to hold the part for two to four months and may make the contractor return the malfunctioned part at the contractor’s cost. Larger repairs, a compressor for example, are included in this process but these larger repairs have more 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 incur charges for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans include parts and labor coverage that works in tandem with the manufacturer’s warranty to keep you from sudden repair bills.
Keep in mind that these ranges are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the actual issues with your AC, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been having annual maintenance to maintain the AC’s health and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit has just plain given up and replacement seems more likely, take a moment to review our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you would like more information or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call Stevenson Service Experts 24/7/365.