When your air conditioner breaks down, you will need to repair it. However, it’s important to know the cost of AC repair for budgeting purposes.
The average cost of repairing an AC is $350. However, most homeowners say that they’ve spent an average of $175 – $550 to get their air conditioner repaired. With that, it’s important to note that the cost could be higher depending on the problem with your AC system. Most unaware homeowners normally pay a service fee for a technician to flip a tripped circuit breaker to restore power.
So, in case your air conditioner starts to malfunction, there are a few things that you need to check before contacting a technician. Here is a checklist of things to check before contacting your technician. Please note that following this checklist can save you some valuable money.
Important things to look out for:
- Thermostat—have you set it correctly?
- A thermostat set below the room temperature
- A blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker
- The filter in a window AC unit might be dirty and the plug loose
Now, if all these checks are ok, it’s time to call an AC repair technician.
According to the professional technicians from Hartman’s air conditioning repair company, it’s important to note that preventive maintenance can help you avoid the high costs of repairing your AC unit. Having a professional AC technician clean and do maintenance checks can prevent the possibility of AC repairs in the future. Mostly, AC technicians charge an average of $75 – $150 to inspect and clean an AC system.
With that, let’s look at a breakdown of AC repair costs depending on the type of repair.
Fixing clogged air filter
A blocked air filter can make your AC system overwork and eventually break down. The average cost of fixing a clogged air filter ranges between $75 and $195. This is what you should expect to pay your technician for changing or cleaning the air filter.
Repairing AC blower
An AC blower is the motor that causes the fan blades to rotate inside your AC unit so that your house remains cool. This motor is important to any AC system because it reduces hot air and blows cold air out. It will cost you $100 – $150 to repair a broken AC blower.
Repairing AC circuit board
This is the electronic component that makes your AC unit run. We can call it the brains of the AC system since it regulates the voltage that should be used in different settings. The cost of repairing a broken circuit board ranges between $100 and $150.
Fixing a clogged AC drain
Mostly, leaves, dust, and other debris can clog AC drain lines. Such blockages are not good, since they can lead to mildew and mild, which causes humidity and odd smells in a home. To get a clogged AC drain repaired will cost you $100 – $150.
Dirty condenser
This is the outdoor unit of your AC system. Now, cleaning this unit involves vacuuming debris like leaves, grass, dust, and dirt from the exterior section of the condenser unit. Next, the AC technician straightens and cleans the fins using a soft brush. Besides, the fun is removed to make it possible to clean the inside part of the condenser. Lastly, all the interior parts of the condenser unit are lubricated. All this work will cost you $100 – $300.
The cost of repairing a broken AC compressor
An AC compressor is the AC pressure system that increases the refrigerant’s temperature. The compressor unit is located outside your house, and it’s mostly known as the ‘heart’ of an AC system. Because the compressor plays an important role, it’s a bit costly to repair, with the repair costs ranging between $600 and $1,200. However, if your AC unit is more than 15 years old, consider replacing the compressor—this will cost you $1,000 – 2,500.
Repairing an AC coil leak
An AC evaporator coil removes heat from your house and then releases it to the condenser for cooling. The cost of repairing an AC coil ranges between $200 and $2,500. However, it might be advisable to replace the coil if your system is old.
Emergency repair costs
One of the most frustrating and inconveniencing things is your AC system going off during the hot summer months. During such periods, you will need emergency AC repair services. Such services will cost you extra money, and you are likely to pay more during weekends, holidays, or nights. Interestingly, most people end up paying whatever it costs for emergency repairs. However, the average cost of emergency AC repair is $300, but this depends on the services needed.
Bottom Line
While it can be costly to repair an AC, it is not as expensive as replacing it. However, it’s possible to avoid such costs through regular maintenance and check-ups. Don’t wait until your AC breaks down to call a professional.