How Much Does AC Repair Cost? A Complete Guide
Understand what AC repair typically costs, what drives the price up or down, and how to compare HVAC quotes with confidence.
What to Know
Most AC repairs fall between $150 and $650, with many homeowners landing around $350 for a typical service call, according to cost data from HomeGuide.
Simple fixes cost the least. A failing capacitor — one of the most common AC repairs — usually runs $100 to $400. Thermostat issues and minor electrical repairs tend to fall in a similar range.
Bigger jobs cost more. Compressor replacement, evaporator coil repair, and refrigerant leaks are the most expensive common repairs, often running $1,000 to $2,800 or more.
Most technicians charge $75 to $150 per hour for labor, plus a diagnostic or service call fee of $75 to $200 — which many companies credit toward the repair if you move forward.
As a rule of thumb: if a repair quote comes in above 50% of the cost of a new unit, replacement is usually the better long-term value, especially on an older system.
Before hiring anyone, get a written estimate, ask whether the diagnostic fee is included in the total, and get at least one additional quote for anything beyond a simple fix.
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