AC Repair Cost Guide 2026
Know What Repairs Should Actually Cost • Stop Overpaying • Avoid Contractor Scams
Updated January 2026 with real-world pricing data from across the United States
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Complete AC Repair Pricing Breakdown
All prices include parts + labor. Last updated: January 2026
Common Repairs
AC Capacitor Replacement
Typical timeframe: 1-2 hours
Price Range
$150 - $400
Average Cost
$250
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $500 is excessive. Should include parts + labor.
Complexity
Low - DIY Friendly
Urgency
Low
Refrigerant Recharge (with leak repair)
Typical timeframe: 2-4 hours
Price Range
$200 - $1,500
Average Cost
$600
🚩 Scam Alert:
Avoid contractors who just "top off" without finding the leak.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Medium
Thermostat Replacement
Typical timeframe: 1-2 hours
Price Range
$100 - $350
Average Cost
$200
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $500 is too high for standard thermostat.
Complexity
Low - DIY Friendly
Urgency
Low
Air Filter Replacement
Typical timeframe: 10 minutes
Price Range
$5 - $50
Average Cost
$20
🚩 Scam Alert:
Easy DIY - don't pay over $50 for this.
Complexity
Low - DIY Friendly
Urgency
Low
Condensate Drain Cleaning
Typical timeframe: 30-60 minutes
Price Range
$75 - $250
Average Cost
$150
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $300 is excessive for drain cleaning.
Complexity
Low - DIY Friendly
Urgency
Low
Motor & Fan Repairs
Blower Motor Replacement
Typical timeframe: 2-3 hours
Price Range
$400 - $800
Average Cost
$600
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $1,200 is too high. Get second opinion.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Medium
Fan Motor Replacement
Typical timeframe: 1-2 hours
Price Range
$200 - $600
Average Cost
$400
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $800 is excessive for fan motor.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Low
Condenser Fan Replacement
Typical timeframe: 2-3 hours
Price Range
$300 - $700
Average Cost
$500
🚩 Scam Alert:
Don't let them convince you to replace entire unit.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Medium
Major Repairs
Compressor Replacement
Typical timeframe: 4-8 hours
Price Range
$1,200 - $2,800
Average Cost
$2,000
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $3,500 - discuss full system replacement vs repair.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
High Priority
Evaporator Coil Replacement
Typical timeframe: 3-5 hours
Price Range
$800 - $2,000
Average Cost
$1,400
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $2,500 is too high. Get multiple quotes.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
High Priority
Condenser Coil Replacement
Typical timeframe: 3-5 hours
Price Range
$900 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,700
🚩 Scam Alert:
Verify it actually needs replacement, not just cleaning.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
High Priority
Full System Replacement (2-5 ton)
Typical timeframe: 1-2 days
Price Range
$4,500 - $12,000
Average Cost
$7,500
🚩 Scam Alert:
Get 3+ quotes. Financing should be <6% APR.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
High Priority
Electrical Repairs
Contactor Replacement
Typical timeframe: 1 hour
Price Range
$100 - $300
Average Cost
$200
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $400 is excessive.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Low
Control Board Replacement
Typical timeframe: 1-2 hours
Price Range
$300 - $800
Average Cost
$550
🚩 Scam Alert:
Verify diagnosis - often misdiagnosed.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Medium
Wiring Repair
Typical timeframe: 1-3 hours
Price Range
$150 - $500
Average Cost
$300
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $700 without extensive damage is too much.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Low
Maintenance Services
AC Tune-Up / Maintenance
Typical timeframe: 45-90 minutes
Price Range
$80 - $200
Average Cost
$130
🚩 Scam Alert:
Over $250 is excessive for basic tune-up.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Low
Duct Cleaning
Typical timeframe: 2-4 hours
Price Range
$300 - $700
Average Cost
$500
🚩 Scam Alert:
Avoid door-to-door "$99 specials" - usually scams.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Medium
Coil Cleaning (both coils)
Typical timeframe: 1-2 hours
Price Range
$150 - $400
Average Cost
$250
🚩 Scam Alert:
Part of standard maintenance - shouldn't be extra $500+.
Complexity
Requires Professional
Urgency
Low
What Affects AC Repair Costs?
System Size
Larger units (4-5 ton) cost 20-40% more than smaller units (2-3 ton)
Brand
Trane, Carrier, Lennox parts cost 10-30% more than generic
Accessibility
Attic or tight spaces can add $100-300 to labor
Time of Day
Emergency/weekend service: +$75-200 premium
Location
Urban areas typically 15-25% higher than rural
Age of System
Systems >15 years may need custom/hard-to-find parts (+30-50%)
💰 How to Save Money on AC Repairs
Always Get 2-3 Quotes
Prices can vary by 30-50% between contractors. Never accept the first quote for repairs over $500.
Ask for Itemized Quotes
Separate parts from labor costs. This helps identify inflated pricing and compare quotes accurately.
DIY Simple Repairs
Filters, capacitors, and thermostats are DIY-friendly. Save $100-300 by doing it yourself with online tutorials.
Schedule Off-Season
Non-emergency repairs in spring/fall cost 15-25% less than peak summer demand pricing.
Buy Parts Yourself
For non-refrigerant repairs, buying parts online can save 40-60% vs contractor markup.
Regular Maintenance
Annual tune-ups ($130 avg) prevent $1,000+ emergency repairs. Best ROI for AC longevity.
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