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AC repair cost
Typical AC repairs — capacitors, contactors, fan motors, drain line clearing — run $200–$600. Major component failures (compressor, evaporator coil) hit $1,500–$4,000 and usually trigger the replace-vs-repair decision on older systems. One 2026 note: systems built from 2025 onward use R-454B refrigerant, which runs materially pricier per pound than older R-410A — factor that into any leak-repair vs replace decision.
Price at a glance
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Job price range | $200–$600 |
| Common variants | Compressor or coil replacement: $1,500–$4,000+ |
| Labor share | $90–$150/hr typical |
| Permit | No for repairs |
| Duration | 1–3 hours |
National job price data from the ee.ltd cost database, 2026 edition.
What drives the price
- Capacitor/contactor vs fan motor vs compressor
- Refrigerant type (R-410A vs older R-22)
- Coil vs electronics failure
- System age — 12+ years old shifts repair/replace math
- Refrigerant generation — new R-454B systems (2025+) cost more to recharge than legacy R-410A
DIY verdict
Filters, registers, and breaker checks; refrigerant work is licensed-only (EPA 608)
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