Giving you an exact answer or number when it comes to AC repair costs is difficult. The range is between $100 to $610. The national estimate of AC repair cost is approximately $370. Air conditioners have different models and components. The model, type of component damaged, and whether there are multiple things that need repairs will all affect the cost.
An air conditioner’s age is also factored into the equation and so is the availability of replacement parts. Brace yourself for any price in the range we mentioned earlier. If you want to make sure you aren’t paying more than you should be, you can consult different contractors to get their estimates.
Factors in AC Repair Cost
Replacing an AC can be quite expensive, so repairs are often looked at first. The type of repair is one of the largest determining factors in the equation. First, if the job can be done in a couple of hours or less, it won’t cost as much as a repair job that requires multiple visits over several days. Larger jobs will also require more people on the job.
What is the component being replaced or fixed? Thermostat problems cost between $60 and $440. A failing blower can be as cheap as $150 to fix but can sometimes cost up to $700. Refilling Freon in an AC unit can cost up to $350. These are just some of the common issues faced and how much it can cost to fix them.
The type of AC unit also factors in. Window units and portable ACs are cheaper to fix and diagnose. Repairing these types of ACs can cost anywhere between $50 and $250. They’re cheaper to own and repair because of their size and the fact that their components are cheaper. Central cooling units, however, will cost between $100 and $500 on average. As a rule, larger units and those with bigger and more complex components will be more expensive to fix.
Now let us talk about the unit’s age. Older units are more expensive to repair. Firstly, their parts may be harder to find if they have been discontinued. A model that’s been discontinued 5 years ago means that its replacement parts were also discontinued so finding them will be hard. Models that are even older are more difficult to fix. Contractors may not be familiar with them or have forgotten how to diagnose and repair their issues. More importantly, an older model is more likely to have multiple failing components. The issue is often isolated.
The brand of your AC unit will determine the price of its repairs. More expensive brands can cost over $5,000 to repair, while average brands fall within the range we mentioned earlier of $150 to $600. There’s a balance here, however, as more expensive brands are less likely to require repairs and have longer lives. Cheaper brands will make ACs that are cheaper to fix but ones that also break down more often.
