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AC refrigerant recharge cost
An AC recharge runs $250–$750 including leak detection. Important: low refrigerant means a leak — always pair the refill with leak diagnosis, or you'll be paying again next season. R-22 systems are usually replace-not-refill territory. Since 2025, new systems ship with R-454B (an A2L refrigerant) — recharging those costs more per pound, and techs need A2L-rated equipment.
Price at a glance
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Job price range | $250–$750 |
| Common variants | R-22 systems (pre-2015): $90–$150/lb, often not worth refilling |
| Labor share | Includes leak check — refill without repair is wasted money |
| Permit | No |
| Duration | 1–2 hours |
National job price data from the ee.ltd cost database, 2026 edition.
What drives the price
- Leak search + repair vs top-off
- System size in lbs
- Repeat recharges = find the leak
- Refrigerant type: R-410A (most systems through 2024) vs R-454B (required in new systems from 2025)
- R-454B runs $80–$150/lb vs $50–$90/lb for R-410A — new-system recharges cost noticeably more
- R-22 systems (pre-2010) are usually not worth recharging; the refrigerant is phased out and expensive
DIY verdict
No — EPA 608 certification required
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