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how much does it cost to repair central air conditioner

by Romaine Champlin DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Across the nation, the average cost for central air conditioning repair is between $50-$100 for a service fee and $300 if you need both labor and parts. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning companies, also known as HVAC companies, typically charge flat rates for whatever service is needed. Find a great HVAC technician in your area.

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost the repair an AC Unit in the United States is $336. The typical range is between $163-$520 while the high end of repairs can be as high as $1100. Certain types of repairs will also cost more than your average fix.Mar 25, 2022

Full Answer

How much does it cost to replace central air conditioning?

Total Cost of an Air Conditioner Replacement. The cost of replacement for an air conditioner in a residential home can range between $4,350-$12,095. This includes labor and permit fees. That may seem like a wide range, but it reflects the equally wide range of variables and choices available to a homeowner that we discussed earlier.

How do you recharge a central air conditioner?

Method 3 Method 3 of 4: Determining What You Need

  1. Determine the type of refrigerant you need for the AC system. ...
  2. Determine what type of charging connections your system is equipped with. ...
  3. Turn your air conditioner off at the thermostat. The thermostat and its related circuitry are the on/off switch for your system.
  4. Turn the power off on your air conditioning system. ...
  5. Take a reading on the gauges. ...

How much does it cost to install a central air conditioner?

While your central air cost will largely come down the size of your home, the average cost to install central air ranges between $2,500 and $5,000 . However, if your home needs extensive ductwork, the price can go up. The maximum cost reported for central AC installation is $5,000. The minimum reported cost of central AC installation is $2,500.

Is it time to buy a new central air conditioner?

With summer just around the corner, now is a good time to think about replacing your central air conditioning system, or installing a whole new one. More than 75 percent of U.S. homes use air conditioning, and 90 percent of new homes are equipped with central air.

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Is it worth it to repair an air conditioner?

EnergyStar recommends replacing your AC unit every 10 to 15 years. If you have an eight-year-old or older air conditioning system, it may not be worth the cost to repair it unless the repair is an easy fix, like a worn fan belt or a clogged condenser unit.

How much does it cost to replace freon in central AC?

Residential Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost As mentioned earlier, Freon costs about $125 – $150 per pound. Most homeowners will pay in the range of $200 to $400 for a refill, depending on the type and size of their HVAC unit. If you own a larger r22 unit, you may have to spend $600 or more.

How long do central AC last?

15 to 20 yearsWhile every unit is different, and every homeowner has a different understanding of when their central air conditioner is broken beyond repair, it's fair to say that, with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high efficiency air conditioning system.

Why is my AC not blowing out cold air?

If your central AC is not blowing cold air, the refrigerant may be the problem. The unit could be running low and need additional refrigerant added. The most likely cause of this is a leak. A leak not only keeps the AC unit from cooling properly, but also it can cause other issues within the home.

How do you know if your central air needs Freon?

Because leaking Freon is a major problem for an AC system, homeowners should learn to recognize the signs of low refrigerant. Your AC may be leaking refrigerant if you notice these signs: The AC runs constantly without cooling the house. The air from your vents isn't cold.

Can I just replace my outside AC unit?

Even if you could find an outdoor unit that uses the same refrigerant as your old indoor unit, we would still advise against replacing only the outdoor unit because it would likely create a mismatched system.

How much does an air conditioner cost for a 2000 sq ft home?

Installing a central air conditioner into a 2000 square ft. home with an existing forced air furnace heating system (that has all ductwork installed properly) would cost between $3,000 to $4,000.

How do I know if my air conditioner needs to be replaced?

10 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair or ReplacementAir Conditioning System is Blowing Warm Air. ... AC Thermostat is Not Working. ... Little Air Blows Out of Vents. ... Loud Noise Inside of the AC Unit. ... Strange Odors When AC Turned On. ... Not Enough Humidity Removed By the AC. ... Problems with the AC Are Occurring More Often.More items...

How often should a home AC be recharged?

Never. You shouldn't have to “add” refrigerant to a central air conditioner because it doesn't “use up” refrigerant. The only reason you would ever need to recharge (that is, add refrigerant to) your A/C is if you have a leak; once the leak is fixed, the problem should be solved.

How much is a pound of Freon 2020?

Freon Cost Per Pound Freon costs $50 to $80 per pound for R410A or $90 to $150 per pound for R22, installed. Most central air conditioners need 2 to 4 pounds to recharge the refrigerant. A complete refill requires 6 to 15 pounds of Freon depending on the AC size.

Can I recharge my home AC myself?

Don't. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends not replacing Freon or refrigerant by yourself for both health and environmental reasons. Only an EPA licensed technician is legally allowed to reclaim Freon.

Can I add Freon to my home AC?

Not only can you not add refrigerant to your air conditioner on your own, but you should never have to! Air conditioners are either factory charged with the right amount of refrigerant before being shipped out to retailers, or they are charged at the time of installation in a dry charge scenario.

Central Air Repair Cost by Type of Repair

Central air systems are complicated with many components that may break and require repairs. The cost of repairs depends on the problem because some issues are simpler and cheaper to fix than others. The table below shows common problems and the average repair costs for each.

Central Air Conditioner Repair Cost by Type of Replacement

In some situations, parts of your central air conditioner system may be too damaged to be repaired. The broken parts must be replaced in this case. The cost of this varies greatly because some parts are inexpensive to buy and easy to install, but others are more expensive or difficult to install, requiring extra hours of labor.

Central Air Conditioner Repair Cost by Problem

Many problems can arise with your central air conditioner system, from water leaks to strange sounds, clogs, holes, and dirty ducts. The repair cost and procedure vary for each problem, with some issues being simple and inexpensive to fix and others requiring more work, time, and effort.

Labor Cost to Repair a Central AC Unit

Central air repair workers charge between $65 and $150 per hour for their services. You may have to pay a high labor fee for this repair work because central air systems can be very complex and often require specialist technical repairs from highly trained certified professionals.

Emergency Central Air Repair Cost

Expect to pay an extra $100 to $250 for emergency central air repairs. HVAC technicians usually charge extra for urgent or same-day repairs because they may need to delay other appointments and reorganize their schedules to accommodate your repairs.

Central AC Maintenance

The average annual cost for central AC maintenance is between $85 and $150. This cost covers a yearly service check for your central air system. During this check, an HVAC technician inspects the system, including ducts, motors, fans, and filters, looking for signs of damage or other issues.

Repair vs Replace a Central AC Unit

In some situations, you may hesitate between having your central AC unit repaired or replaced. It can be difficult to make this decision, and it is important to consider several factors to help decide on the right option.

How much does it cost to fix a central air system?

Repairs for central air include clogged drain lines, which cost $100 to $200 to repair, thermostat replacement at $150 to $500, or refrigerant leaks or charges at $200 to $500. Central air or HVAC repair costs may end up being more due to a more complicated system.

How much does it cost to fix an HVAC unit?

For most issues with an HVAC package unit, the repair cost ranges from $300 to $500. An HVAC package unit includes both air conditioning and heating elements in a single configuration. The package unit may rely on electric or gas elements to provide heating and cooling to living spaces. These units can have issues such as ignition problems and thermostat malfunctions. However, in most cases, the fixes are relatively simple. Often, the unit just requires a filter change or other basic maintenance such as recharging.

How much does it cost to fix an air conditioner coil?

The cost to fix air conditioning coils by a professional will be $200 to $475. Air conditioning coils can become problematic if they freeze There are two types of coils in most units, an evaporator coil and a condenser coil. The evaporator type is filled with a refrigerant. If airflow around these coils is not warm enough, they can freeze and stop working properly. Condenser coils may need to be fixed by a professional. If they are dirty, they can cause performance issues. Cleaning and maintenance resolve the issue.

How much does it cost to replace an evaporator coil?

The cost for replacement of an evaporator coil is $200 to $6,000. An evaporator coil’s purpose is to push all of the heat from inside the house into the condenser to be cooled. Signs of a bad evaporator coil are that the house isn’t cooling properly, and the air conditioning is running consistently.

How much does it cost to fix an American standard air conditioner?

To fix an American Standard air conditioner, you will pay $300 to $900. If an American Standard air conditioner isn’t cooling a home, there could be a few common causes. The models can malfunction due to a faulty capacitor or contractor. Compressor problems have also been reported in American Standard AC systems. An American Standard warranty usually covers an air conditioner compressor for up to ten years and all other parts for five years. An extended option may be added for an additional fee.

How much does a mini split cost?

The main problem with a ductless mini split is the air handler which can cost $750 to $900. These units are ductless, as the name implies. Ductless mini splits don’t require ductwork to cool a room, so repairs are normally simple and straightforward. Since the air handler can be an expensive fix, most mini split buyers consider extended warranty coverage to protect their system for five years or longer. Warranty coverage may cost under $100 to extend, depending on the overall system price and manufacturer.

How much does it cost to replace an AC compressor?

AC Compressor Repair Cost. Because a compressor is so important to an air conditioning unit, repairs are often costly at $600 to $1,200. If your unit is old, it may be wise to consider replacing the compressor at the cost of $1,000 to $2,500.

Air Conditioning Repair Cost: Service Call

When your cooling system is down, the first air conditioning repair cost you’re looking at is the service call charge. Most air conditioning repair companies charge this fee to cover their time and diagnostics to assess your system.

Air Conditioning Repair Cost: Parts and Labor

Once your HVAC contractor assesses your cooling system, he or she provides you with an air conditioning repair cost estimate for the fixes your system needs. This typically includes both parts and labor, unless otherwise stated.

Troubleshooting to Avoid Air Conditioning Repair Cost

We know these prices seem like a lot, but sometimes, professional repairs are the only way to restore your air conditioner’s function. But, it’s always a smart idea to perform some troubleshooting steps before you resign to pay air conditioning repair costs.

HVAC.com Helps Homeowners with Air Conditioning Repair Costs

We know a cooling system breakdown is the last thing you want to deal with this summer. We offer countless resources to help you get to know your system and care for it to prevent the likelihood of repairs. Explore our blog, videos, guides, and more to learn everything you need to know about your air conditioner!

How much does it cost to repair a window AC unit?

The average cost to repair a window AC unit is between $50 and $125. One of the most common problems with window AC units tends to be thermostat failure. That can cost about $55 to $85 to repair.

How much does it cost to fix a portable AC unit?

The average cost to repair a portable AC unit ranges between $80 and $250. Again, depending on the portable AC unit you have, it may make more sense to replace it rather than repairing it.

What does the brand name mean when it comes to AC?

We all know that the brand name can mean different things when it comes to the cost you pay. It’s no different when shopping for an AC unit. The brand that you choose can play a role in the price you pay for air conditioner repair.

Does AC repair cost more in summer?

The season when you request air conditioner repair can affect the price you pay. Obviously, AC repair services are busier in the summertime, so you’ll pay a premium for services during this time of the year.

The Air Conditioner Repair Process

When you first notice something amiss with your air conditioner, like strange noises, higher than normal energy bills, or the AC unit blowing warm air, contact a local repair company that performs HVAC services for your central AC or heat pump unit brand and model.

Repair Costs Involved in the Air Conditioner Repair Process

While you can often get free estimates when you’re ready to buy a new air conditioning unit for system replacement, your HVAC repair company probably won’t visit for free to price out AC repair costs. This is because sending HVAC technicians out on a repair service call isn’t cheap.

Average Cost for Air Conditioning Unit Repair

Air conditioners are affected by all different types of malfunctions over the years. Overall, the average AC repair cost people pay no matter what air conditioning work is needed is between $150 and $600.

Air Conditioner Repair in Central Indiana

Air conditioning repair cost can come as a surprise if you don’t know what to expect in terms of cost. Call Williams Comfort Air today and we will walk you through the repair process and share repair cost upfront so you are completely comfortable with our work.

Air Conditioning Repair Cost

Homeowners in the US usually spend between $160 and $500 on air conditioning repair.

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