Not only does your air conditioner help you to stay comfortable, it’s also a health necessity during the dog days of summer. For that reason, when the chilly air stops blowing or your AC won’t come on at all, you’re not in a position to shop around for several days.
When your air conditioner dies in the heat of the summer, you might not have time to call around for competing quotes or research how much you may have to pay. Not having an idea how much it may cost when the AC service tech knocks on your door can be unnerving, so we’re here with several price ranges on some common services so you won’t be caught off guard when Golden Seal Service Experts comes 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 where the leak is, whether or not a leak test is needed, and what precisely demands repair, an average refrigerant leak detection and repair can end up costing anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on how accessible the leak is for the technician. If you’re not confident, always ask your air conditioner repair professional to walk you through their process and review their findings.
AC Circuit Board Replacement
At times the problem may be beyond the AC equipment itself and the circuit board may need to be replaced. Depending on your AC make and model, a new circuit board for your system could be priced anywhere from $450 to $1300.
Thermostat Replacement
If you’re interested in replacing your home’s thermostat, a smart wifi thermostat will usually cost more than a traditional thermostat. Depending on the type of thermostat you choose, you’re most likely going to end up paying anywhere between $200 and $550 to install a new one. Fortunately, the latest thermostats might pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, if they are programmed accordingly.
Capacitor or Contactor Replacement
If your air conditioner is still young or you want to repair your older system instead of investing in an energy-efficient AC 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 some of the most standard for your AC system.
A/C Fan Motor Replacement
Again, it’s always responsible to weigh the pros and cons of choosing to repair your current air conditioner versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient AC system. If replacing your AC’s fan motor is the better option for you, a fan motor replacement might be between $500 and $1200.
NOTE: Part repair under warranty
A common misunderstanding 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 additional costs that may not be covered through the warranty that you will be required to pay for out-of-pocket. Even with common repairs, such as a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process this warranty through the manufacturer so they can obtain the credit on the part. Additionally, all manufacturers instruct the contractor to hold the part for eight to sixteen weeks and may ask the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Greater repairs, such as a compressor, also require this process but these larger repairs have additional supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered through 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.
Remember that these costs are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on where the home is, the particular issues with your system, how old your equipment is, and whether or not you’ve been receiving annual 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 air conditioning repair, call Golden Seal Service Experts 24/7/365.