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How Central Air Conditioning Repair Cost Is Calculated

October 23, 2025
How Central Air Conditioning Repair Cost Is Calculated

Average air conditioning repair cost varies significantly on the type of repair that's needed.  If repair includes an AC tune up, adding refrigerant, and replacing parts like capacitors, contactors, relays, transformers, thermostats, and condensation pumps the price will range from $125 - $395. For more complex repairs, including replacing motors, blower wheels, circuit boards, cleaning evaporator coil or  repairing refrigerant leaks you should expect to pay in the $400 - $790 price range.

Calculating The Air Conditioning Repair Cost

While a central air conditioning repair can be a big financial hit, if the repair is unexpected, it is important to understand what goes into calculating the cost of an AC repair. Most HVAC companies charge by the job, not by the hour. In estimating the cost of an air conditioning repair, an HVAC company must consider the full time required to complete a job, hidden costs, labor costs, the cost for replacement parts, and the professional expertise required.

Hidden Costs of AC Repair

There are many hidden costs that an HVAC company has to factor into any repair job. There is travel time, gasoline costs, truck maintenance costs, truck repair costs, the cost of high tech tools, materials such as air conditioning parts and refrigerant, and miscellaneous overhead costs such as accounting and insurance.

There are many other costs that aren't exactly "hidden" but a customer may not be fully appreciate or realize. Air conditioning repair requires a great deal of training and much of this training is done on the job at the expense of an HVAC company. Each certification that each AC technician carries has a significant cost as well. Additionally, each contractor must be insured, licensed, and bonded.

Other Cost Factors to Consider

There are a few other factors to consider as well. Some HVAC systems are more difficult than others to take apart and put back together so some units may require more time.  The advantage of paying by the job is that customer is given an upfront cost to repair their unit, no matter how long it takes a technician to resolve the problem or perform the task. The age of the system can also affect the price of replacement parts. Season is a factor since HVAC technicians may have to put in considerable over-time during the hot summer months.

Finally, even for a highly skilled air conditioning technician, it can take considerable time to diagnose a problem and make the repair. We take pride in our work and always test the system to ensure the completed repair actually fixed the problem. Give us a call today or contact us online and we can let you know the cost of your specific air conditioning repair. To learn more about services our company offers, please visit our homepage.

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