How Much Does Air Conditioning Service Cost?

August 05, 2016

Not only does air conditioning keep you comfortable, it’s also a health necessity when we’re here in the dog days of summer. Unfortunately, when the cold air stops blowing or the system won’t come on at all, you’re not in a position to call around for a few days.

When your air conditioner goes out in the heat of the summer, you don’t always have time to call around for different quotes or research how much you may have to pay. Not having an idea how much repairs can cost when the air conditioner service expert knocks on your door can be scary, so we’re here to provide a few price ranges on some common services so you won’t be surprised when Church Services shows up to get you up and running again.

  1. Refrigerant Leak Detection & Repair: $150 - $500
  2. AC Circuit Board Replacement: $450 - $1300
  3. Thermostat Replacement: $200 - $500
  4. Capacitor Replacement: $250 - $350
  5. Contactor Replacement: $150 - $350
  6. AC Fan Motor Replacement: $500 - $1200

Refrigerant Leak Detection and Repair

Depending on the accessibility of the leak, whether or not a leak test is needed, and what exactly needs to be repaired, a typical refrigerant leak detection and repair can cost you anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the accessibility of the leak for the technician. If you’re not confident, always ask your air conditioner repair technician to walk you through the process and explain their findings.

AC Circuit Board Replacement

There are times when the issue may be beyond the A/C system itself and the circuit board may require replacement. Depending on the make and model of you’re A/C system, a new circuit board for your system could cost 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 what kind of thermostat you go with, you’re looking at anywhere between $200 and $550 to get it installed. Luckily, the newest thermostats may pay back their purchase price in energy management savings, depending on if they are programmed properly.

Capacitor or Contactor Replacement

If your AC is still young or you decide to repair your older system instead of investing in an energy-efficient AC upgrade, a capacitor will typically cost $250 to $350 and a contractor can run a little lower, ranging from $150 - $350. These repairs are some of the most common for your AC system.

A/C Fan Motor Replacement

Again, it’s always responsible to consider the pros and cons of repairing your current AC system versus investing in an upgraded, more energy-efficient air conditioner. If replacing this part is the better choice for you, a fan motor replacement may cost between $500 and $1200.

NOTE: Part repair under warranty

A common misconception is that if a part replacement is required, that it is covered under the manufacturer’s equipment warranty; however, there are several additional costs that may not be covered through the warranty that will be your responsibility. Even with standard repairs, like a capacitor replacement, the contractor still has to process the warranty through the manufacturer so they can get the credit on the part. Additionally, all manufacturers demand the contractor to keep the part for two to four months and may make the contractor return the failed part at the contractor’s cost. Bigger repairs, such as a compressor, also require this process but those types of repairs have ancillary supplies and materials required (i.e. refrigerant, copper fittings, etc.) that are not covered by the Original Equipment Manufacturer warranty. If you don’t have a labor warranty you will continue have to pay out-of-pocket for the technician’s labor.

Some of our Membership Plans allow for parts and labor coverage that works alongside the manufacturer’s warranty to shield you from surprise repair expenses.

Remember that these costs are estimates and many times they can increase or decrease depending on where you live, the specific issues with your AC, the age of your air conditioner, and whether or not you’ve been getting yearly maintenance to maintain the health of your A/C and your manufacturer’s warranty. If your system is pretty much dead and replacement is more likely, take a moment to review our air conditioner pricing guide.

If you want to find out more or ever need expert air conditioning repair, call Church Services 24/7/365.