Air conditioning failure in the middle of summer is a genuine emergency for many households. Knowing what AC repairs cost — and what the most common problems are — helps you respond quickly, avoid panic-buying emergency service contracts, and make an informed decision between repairing and replacing an ageing system.
Common AC Problems and Repair Costs — 2026
| AC Problem / Repair | Low Cost | High Cost |
| Refrigerant recharge (freon/R-410A) | $150 | $600 |
| Capacitor replacement | $90 | $400 |
| Contactor replacement | $85 | $300 |
| Thermostat replacement | $100 | $500 |
| Blower motor repair/replace | $250 | $800 |
| Condenser coil cleaning | $75 | $250 |
| Evaporator coil repair/replace | $650 | $2,400 |
| Compressor replacement | $1,200 | $3,200 |
| Fan motor replacement | $200 | $650 |
| Drain line unclogging | $75 | $200 |
| Full AC unit replacement | $3,800 | $9,000 |
AC Service Call and Labour Rates
| Service Type | Typical Cost |
| Diagnostic/service call fee | $75–$150 |
| HVAC technician hourly rate | $75–$150/hr |
| Emergency service (after-hours) | $150–$300/hr |
| Annual maintenance contract | $150–$400/yr |
Repair vs. Replace: The AC Decision Rule
The industry standard rule is: if the repair cost exceeds 50% of the cost of a new unit AND your system is more than 10 years old, replacement is usually the better financial decision. A new unit also delivers significantly better energy efficiency — modern systems are 20–40% more efficient than units installed before 2010.
Pro Tip: Schedule your annual AC tune-up in spring before the cooling season begins. Pre-season demand is lower, technicians are more available, and a $150–$200 tune-up catches minor issues (refrigerant, capacitors, coil condition) before they become $1,000+ emergency repairs in July.
Save Money: Change your AC air filter every 1–3 months. A clogged filter makes the system work harder, reduces cooling efficiency, and is one of the leading causes of evaporator coil freeze-up — a $650–$2,400 repair that is entirely preventable.
Q: Why is my AC running but not cooling?
A: The most common causes are low refrigerant (leak or undercharge), a dirty evaporator or condenser coil, a faulty capacitor, or a frozen evaporator coil from a restricted air filter. Turn the system off, replace the filter, and call an HVAC technician for diagnosis if it does not resolve within a few hours.
Q: How long does AC repair take?
A: Most common repairs — capacitor replacement, thermostat, contactor, refrigerant recharge — take 1–3 hours. Compressor or coil replacements take 4–8 hours. A full unit replacement typically takes 4–8 hours for a skilled crew.
