# AC repair cost: common repairs and when to replace

Updated: 2026-10-21 · https://pros411.com/en/guides/hvac/ac-repair-cost

## Short answer

Most AC repairs cost about $150 to $700: HomeGuide lists $150 to $650 (average $360), HomeAdvisor $172 to $664 (average $417) and Fixr $250 to $700 (average $375). The service call or diagnostic fee is usually $75 to $200. Big repairs are the exception: a compressor can run $1,000 to $3,000 and an evaporator coil can cost thousands, which is when a new unit starts to make sense.

## Overall repair cost by source

| Source (updated) | What it covers | Price range | Average |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| HomeGuide (Aug 22, 2025) | AC repair, average range | $150 to $650 | $360 |
| HomeAdvisor (Jun 17, 2026) | AC repair, normal range | $172 to $664 | $417 |
| Fixr (Jan 29, 2026) | AC repair | $250 to $700 | $375 |
| This Old House (Mar 16, 2026) | Most common repairs | $150 to $650 | Not listed |

## Common repairs

| Item | Source | Price range |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Capacitor | HomeAdvisor / Fixr / This Old House | $120 to $475 / $100 to $400 / $150 to $400 |
| Contactor or relay | HomeGuide / This Old House | $200 to $450 / $100 to $450 |
| Refrigerant leak repair | HomeGuide / HomeAdvisor / Fixr | $200 to $1,500 / $225 to $1,600 / $200 to $1,500 (average $800) |
| Refrigerant recharge | HomeAdvisor / HomeGuide | $100 to $600 / $100 to $320 (R-410A), $180 to $600 (R-22) |
| Fan motor | HomeGuide / This Old House | $200 to $700 (condenser fan) / $300 to $800 |
| Clogged drain line | HomeGuide / Fixr / This Old House | $75 to $250 / $75 to $250 / $80 to $250 |
| Compressor | HomeAdvisor / Fixr / This Old House | $1,200 to $2,800 / $600 to $3,000 / $1,000 to $3,000 or more |
| Evaporator coil | HomeAdvisor / Fixr / This Old House | $600 to $2,000 / $400 to $2,700 / $700 to $2,500 or more |

HomeGuide lists higher out-of-warranty prices for compressors ($1,800 to $2,800) and coils ($2,500 to $4,500). Its pages disagree on some items, so we show the other sources too.

## Service calls and after-hours

| Item | Source | Price range |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Service call or diagnostic | HomeGuide / HomeAdvisor / This Old House | $75 to $200 / $75 to $200 / $75 to $150 |
| Regular labor per hour | HomeGuide | $75 to $150 |
| Emergency labor per hour (nights, weekends, holidays) | HomeGuide / HomeAdvisor / Fixr | $160 to $250 / $160 to $250 / $150 to $300 |

## Older systems and R-22 refrigerant

Since January 1, 2020, no new R-22 (HCFC-22) refrigerant can be made or imported in the United States. EPA says you can keep using and servicing an R-22 system with reclaimed or older refrigerant, and it does not require replacement, but that refrigerant costs more. If an R-22 system has a leak or a big repair, that is a good moment to price a new system.

## Repair or replace?

- The $5,000 rule: multiply the repair cost by the age of the unit in years. Over $5,000, replacing usually makes more sense (HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Fixr, This Old House).
- The 50% rule: if the repair is half or more of the price of a new unit, replace (same sources).
- Age: ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement for an AC or heat pump older than 10 years. Cost guides put AC life at about 12 to 20 years.
- Frequent breakdowns or a system still on R-22 are also reasons to replace.

## Before you call

Check the thermostat, the breakers and the air filter first: our "AC not cooling" guide walks through a five-minute check you can do safely. If the outdoor fan does not spin or the breaker trips again, call a technician.

## When to call an HVAC technician

- The outdoor unit hums or clicks but the fan does not spin.
- Ice on the refrigerant lines after you changed the filter.
- The breaker trips again after one reset.
- Water leaking around the indoor unit.
- Someone at home is at risk from the heat.

Find AC & heating in your city: https://pros411.com/en/hvac

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does it cost to replace an AC capacitor?

HomeAdvisor lists $120 to $475, Fixr $100 to $400 and This Old House $150 to $400, parts and labor.

### How much does an AC recharge cost?

HomeAdvisor lists $100 to $600. HomeGuide lists $100 to $320 for R-410A systems and $180 to $600 for older R-22 systems. Low refrigerant means there is a leak, so ask for the leak to be found and fixed.

### How much does it cost to replace an AC compressor?

HomeAdvisor lists $1,200 to $2,800 and Fixr $600 to $3,000. On an older unit, compare with the price of a new system.

### Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old AC?

Often not for a big repair. With the $5,000 rule, a $400 repair on a 15-year-old unit gives $6,000, so cost guides would suggest replacing.

## Sources

- [HomeGuide: AC repair cost (Aug 22, 2025)](https://homeguide.com/costs/ac-repair-cost)
- [HomeAdvisor: AC repair cost (updated Jun 17, 2026)](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/repair-an-ac-unit/)
- [Fixr: AC repair cost (updated Jan 29, 2026)](https://www.fixr.com/costs/air-conditioner-repair)
- [This Old House: air conditioner repair cost (updated Mar 16, 2026)](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/reviews/air-conditioner-repair-cost)
- [EPA: homeowners and consumers FAQ on the R-22 phaseout (updated Apr 1, 2026)](https://www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout/homeowners-and-consumers-frequently-asked-questions)
- [ENERGY STAR: when to replace heating and cooling equipment](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/replace)