How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

Modern air conditioning systems are pretty reliable these days and it’s fairly easy to take them for granted. Out of sight, out of mind, seems to be the tendency for most. This is understandable, life can get pretty busy. Unfortunately, as Murphy’s law would have it, our air conditioning systems seem to break at the most inopportune time.

If this has happened to you, there’s going to be several thoughts that come to mind. Who will I call? Will they be honest? Will their prices be fair? How long will my family be without air conditioning? How much is this going to cost me? And the dreaded, what if I have to buy a new HVAC system? We understand just how unnerving this can feel, we too experience similar emotions whenever we find ourselves in need of a plumber, electrician, or mechanic.

Fortunately, most air conditioning problems are repairable. But not knowing how much a particular air conditioning repair could or should cost can catch a homeowner off guard. We at Bloomingdale Air thought it might be helpful to compile a list of a few common air conditioning repairs, a brief description, and the price range one should expect to pay upon completion of such AC services.

 

1) Thermostat Replacement: $200 – $500

2) Capacitor Replacement: $200 – $350

3) Circuit Board Replacement: $400 – $1200

4) Fan or Blower Motor Replacement: $450 – $1250

5) Refrigerant Leak Detection and Repair: $150 – $500

 

Thermostat Replacements

Depending on the type of thermostat you choose, you can probably expect to pay between $200 and $300 for the typical thermostat replacement. But if you’re looking for an upgrade, a smart thermostat with Wi-Fi connectivity can be a great choice. With professional installation as recommended, these high-tech gadgets generally cost a little more than your traditional thermostat but are packed full of features, benefits, and energy savings.

Capacitor Replacements

Probably one of the most common repairs, the quality of these components can vary drastically between manufacturers. Expected lifespan is between 3 and 7 years with influencing factors being lightning storms and excessive heat. Average cost to replace a capacitor is between $200 and $350. Recommended upgrades including electrical surge protection, compressor time delay circuitry and a compressor start assist kit.

Circuit Board Replacements

Extremely susceptible to power surges and lightning strikes. Solid state circuit board failures are a common occurrence throughout Florida’s summertime storm season. These repairs tend to be relatively expensive in comparison ranging in price from $400 to as much as $1200. This high cost is attributed to their lack of commonality and exclusiveness of purpose. Most manufacturers circuit boards are specific to the exact model and year of your heating and cooling system and rarely will a technician have the part available for an immediate AC repair.

Motor Replacements

Air conditioning fan motors tend to be one more durable components within the makeup of an air conditioning unit. Capable of withstanding the even most grueling circumstances, these components will typically only fail once within the lifespan of a heating and cooling system. Fan motors are generally universal and are usually only found in a few common variations. Making it likely for the servicing HVAC technician to have the motor in stock, on their service vehicle, and available for immediate installation. On average fan motors of the common variety cost between $500 and $800 but the more elaborate variable speed models can cost upwards of $1200.

Refrigerant Leak Detection and Repair

Most of us would be relieved to hear that our air conditioning system is “just a little low on Freon” and in years past, the routine recharge may not have been a significant financial burden. But due to rising environmental concerns and refrigerant production caps, supply and demand have driven the cost of the simple recharge to all-time highs. Nowadays finding and repairing the leak is more important than ever. The typical cost associated with locating a leak can vary but rarely exceeds $250. Leak repairs on the other hand frequently fall into two categories, repairable and unrepairable. Repairable leaks can vary in cost depending on accessibility and the difficulty of the repair but rarely exceed $500. Unrepairable refrigerant leaks, unfortunately, require a component such as an evaporator coil or accumulator to be replaced. Replacement of such components can be substantial and may draw into question the practicality of such repairs versus system replacement.

Replacement Parts and Manufacturers Warranties

It’s a common misconception that if the part being replaced is covered under the manufactures warranty, then the part is without cost. Unfortunately, there are several costs associated with processing a warranty that does become out-of-pocket expenses to the consumer. Even with seemingly insignificant repairs, like a capacitor, the company is still required to purchase the part through the manufacturer before processing the warranty and apply for a parts credit. Additionally, all manufacturers require the contractor to retain warranty parts for up to 90 days, at which time the manufacturer may require the contractor to return the failed component at the contractors’ expense. Greater repairs such as compressors and coils also require this process but ancillary parts and supplies such as refrigerant and copper fittings are never included in the manufacturers’ reimbursements and must be passed on to the consumer. Without a labor warranty, you will be required to pay out-of-pocket expenses and technician labor.

 

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