Not only does your AC system keep you comfortable, it’s also crucial for your health through the dog days of summer. As a result, when the cool air suddenly isn’t blowing or your air conditioner won’t start up at all, you’re not able to shop around for more than a couple days.
When your air conditioner goes out in the heat of the summer, you may not have time to look around for different quotes or research what you can expect to pay. Not knowing how much it may cost when the air conditioner service technician shows up can be scary, so we’re here with several price ranges on some basic services so you won’t be surprised when Sunbeam 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 precisely requires repair, a normal refrigerant leak detection and repair can cost you anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on how accessible the leak is for the technician. If you’re unsure, you can ask your air conditioner repair technician to walk you through his or her process and review their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
At times the culprit may be beyond the A/C system itself and the circuit board may be in need of replacing. Depending on the make and model of you’re A/C system, a new circuit board for your equipment could be priced anywhere from $450 to $1300.
Thermostat Replacement
If you’re looking to replace your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will normally 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 have a new on installed. Luckily, the latest thermostats could pay back their cost in energy management savings, if they are programmed correctly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your air conditioner is still only a couple years old or you want to repair your older AC instead of purchasing an energy-efficient A/C system upgrade, a capacitor will most likely cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can run a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are two of the most standard for your AC system.
Air Conditioning Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always important to assess the pros and cons of repairing your current air conditioner versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient air conditioner. If replacing this part is the better decision for you, a fan motor replacement may 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 many other costs that may not be covered through the warranty that you will be required to pay for out-of-pocket. Even with typical repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can obtain the credit on the part. Furthermore, all manufacturers instruct the contractor to hold the part for two to four months and may make the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Larger repairs, like a compressor, are encompassed in this process but these bigger repairs have more 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 pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.
Some of our Membership Plans have parts and labor coverage that works alongside the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from surprise repair bills.
Always understand that these ranges are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on the climate of your city, the particular issues with your system, the age of your system, and whether or not you’ve been receiving yearly maintenance to maintain the AC’s health and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your unit has just plain given up and replacement is more likely, take a moment to read our air conditioner pricing guide.
If you want to find out more or ever need expert AC repair, call Sunbeam Service Experts 24/7/365.