How much does it cost to repair an air conditioning?

Air Conditioning not only cools a living space, it also circulates and filters the air which helps to remove harmful pollutants such as mold and pollen. This helps allergy and asthma sufferers breathe easier by reducing the amount of airborne irritants in a home.

The number one cause of an air conditioner malfunctioning is a dirty or clogged air filter. When the filter becomes clogged the unit becomes starved for air and starts to overheat. When an AC unit overheats it shuts itself off to prevent damage.

When the AC is not properly maintained and shuts off due to a clogged drain, clogged filter, or dirty unit the homeowner will be faced with paying not only the cost of the maintenance but also the additional cost of a service call which averages from $80-$190. The total price to repair a whole house, single 3-ton air conditioner if it is shutting off from not being maintained properly is about $175-$300.

Signs that your AC needs repairs

Your AC unit may be malfunctioning if you notice the following problems:

• Air not cooling.
• Unit continues to turn on and off.
• Higher than normal energy bills.
• Unit makes excessive noise.
• Ice buildup on the unit, lines, or compressor.
• Unit freezing up from a freon ¹ leak.
• Humidity is not being pulled out of the indoor air.
• Musty smell if humidity in the home rises above 60 percent.
• The lights in the home dim when the unit starts.

Typical AC problems

The most typical problems found by professionals are (note that the costs below do not include the cost of the service call):

Parts of an AC unit that frequently break

Capacitors are the parts of an AC unit that break the most frequently, however a unit is made up of plenty of other other parts that can also break and require replacement.

Labor

An AC unit is a highly technical appliance with both high- and low-voltage circuits which can be deadly if improperly handled. Most HVAC technicians charge a basic service call fee which pays for diagnostics followed by additional fees for labor and parts. The fee quoted for parts usually includes the labor required to install the parts and the price of the parts. The fee for a basic service call averages $80-$190. Once a diagnostic assessment is made then the fee for parts and labor starts. Often, when an older unit starts to break down the damage and cost of increasingly labor-intensive repairs comes close to the cost of a full replacement.

Repair vs replace

Often the fee to repair a unit is far cheaper than to replace the system. Most AC units will last at least ten years with regular maintenance. During that time frame, it may require minor repairs and parts replacements. New AC models also come with a 10 year warranty for parts but the warranties do not cover labor.

The cost of major or big repairs often exceeds the cost of purchasing a new unit. In such a situation, it is usually in the homeowner’s best interest to purchase a new unit that comes with a complete warranty instead of nursing along an older, inefficient unit that continues to suffer from broken or malfunctioning parts.

New AC models are highly energy efficient. Newer models feature what is known as a ‘SEER ⁵’ rating. The term SEER stands for ‘Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating.’ To figure out an AC unit’s SEER rating, a ratio of cooking in British thermal units (BTU) is figured with the energy consumed in watt-hours. AC units older than 15 years usually have a SEER rating of 6 or less but the new AC models boast SEER ratings of at least 14 and some even have 18 or higher. A new unit will provide considerable energy savings compared to an older model.

Maintenance

An AC unit requires either yearly or biannual maintenance. In many cases, maintenance must be performed by a licensed AC company to maintain the unit’s warranty. The average cost of this regular AC maintenance is $70-$100. During a maintenance call, an HVAC technician will inspect and clean the inside and outdoor units, change or clean the filter, and clean out the unit’s drains. The HVAC technician will also check the system’s coolant levels to make sure the unit is functioning properly.

There are several steps that a homeowner can take to maintain their AC unit:

• Regularly check the air filter for accumulated debris.
• Change or clean the filter if it looks overly dirty between maintenance calls.
• Remove all vegetation overgrowth or fallen leaves from around and on the outdoor unit.
• Turn off the power at the circuit breaker and hose off the outdoor unit to remove any accumulated debris.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Replacement

The cost of replacing an air conditioning system varies by brand and unit size:

• A simple change-out of an old HVAC system for a new HVAC systems costs $6,000-$8,800.
• A full replacement of not just the HVAC system but also the ductwork averages $9,200-$12,300.
• A full HVAC installation in a new residence averages $13,100-$17,000.

Additional considerations and costs

• Insurance such as homeowners insurance does not cover HVAC repairs. In some situations, a home warranty insurance plan may include the cost of repairs.
• If your air conditioning unit is not working then you should check the thermostat and the circuit breaker before calling an HVAC repair company. The thermostat may be experiencing problems or the breaker might have tripped. Checking such things helps you avoid paying for a service call when it’s not needed.
• You should always keep your air filter clean. Ideally, the filter should be cleaned or replaced once a month.
• When you call to make an appointment with an HVAC professional you should know the type of equipment that is installed in your home. Make note of the brand name, the model of the unit, and the approximate age of the system. You should also let the company know if the unit has any warranties or if you have a home warranty on your house that covers the HVAC system. If you have an AC FAQ booklet then you can read through the booklet to determine the possible cause of any of the unit’s symptoms.
• Don’t ignore any early warning signs that your unit might be experiencing trouble. Even if the problem seems to be minor, if you delay repair then the problem could just get worse. You could end up paying higher energy bills, replacing even more parts, ending up with a fully broken system for a while before you can get an appointment, and/or ultimately having to replace your whole system instead of making a small repair.
• Any HVAC company that you call to work on your equipment should be certified. Ask for the company’s NATE AHRI, and EPA 608 certifications. NATE stands for the North American Technician Excellence certification. The AHRI is offered by an independent, third-party organization called the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). The EPA 608 certification authorizes HVAC service technicians to work with refrigerants.
• Before you make an appointment to have an HVAC service technician come out to your home you should always ask about the company’s financing for larger projects. You should also ask if the company gives free written estimates and if they provide any warranties on their parts or labor.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

² Thermostat: A device that senses and regulates temperature by turning heating and cooling devices on and off

³ Pump: A device used to move air, liquid, or gas by mechanical means