Skip to main content
True Trade Path

Cost guide

Air Conditioner Repair Cost

Diagnosing and repairing a residential air conditioning system that is not cooling properly.

Typical range
$150–$2,500
Most people pay
$450

National cost range

National range, per repair

$150 – $2,500

Most homeowners pay around $450. The spread is real, not hedging — the drivers below determine which end of it you land on.

Low end
$150
Simple access, like-for-like
Typical
$450
What most jobs come in at
High end
$2,500
Upgrades, difficult access, code work

What you are actually paying for

Find the row that matches your situation. Quotes that differ wildly from each other usually differ in scope, not in price.

ScenarioTypical cost
Capacitor replacementThe single most common AC failure.$150–$400
Contactor replacementOften paired with a capacitor on an older unit.$150–$400
Refrigerant leak repair and rechargeCost depends heavily on leak location and refrigerant type.$400–$1,800
Blower motor replacementECM variable-speed motors sit at the high end.$450–$1,400
Evaporator coil replacementAt this price, evaluate replacement of the full system.$1,200–$3,000
Compressor replacementOn a unit past 10 years, replacement is usually the better economic decision.$1,500–$3,500

What moves the price

In descending order of impact. These are also the questions worth asking a contractor whose quote sits outside the range above.

  1. What failed

    A capacitor is under $300 installed. A compressor or an evaporator coil can approach the cost of a new system, which is when the repair-versus-replace question becomes real.

  2. Refrigerant type

    R-22 is no longer produced and costs several times more than current refrigerants. A leak on an R-22 system usually favors replacement.

  3. Diagnostic fee

    Most companies charge $75 to $200 to diagnose, often credited toward the repair if you proceed.

  4. Timing of the call

    Emergency, after-hours and weekend calls during a heat wave carry premiums of 50 to 100%.

  5. Warranty status

    Most equipment carries a 10-year parts warranty if it was registered. Labor is usually not covered past the first year, but the part itself may be free.

Can you do it yourself?

Limited DIY scope

A homeowner can change filters, clear the condensate drain, wash the condenser coil and check the breaker. Anything involving refrigerant legally requires EPA Section 608 certification, and capacitors store a lethal charge even with power off.

Permits and inspection

Component repairs generally do not require a permit. Equipment replacement does.
Run the DIY vs. pro decisionCheck a quote you already have

When this cannot wait

  • Indoor temperatures unsafe for infants, elderly or medically vulnerable occupants
  • Burning smell or visible scorching at the outdoor unit
  • Ice on the refrigerant lines — shut the system off to prevent compressor damage
  • Breaker tripping repeatedly on the condenser circuit

Common questions

Why is my AC blowing warm air?
The most common causes are a failed capacitor, a tripped breaker, a dirty filter restricting airflow, a frozen evaporator coil or low refrigerant from a leak. Check the filter and breaker before calling.
Is it worth repairing a 15 year old AC?
Usually not for a major component. At 15 years, a $1,500 compressor or coil repair buys you a few years on equipment near end of life, while the same money contributes meaningfully toward a new system.

Not sure this is the problem?

Decide what to do next

Other cost guides

Find hvac technicians near you