Pick the failed part and any refrigerant added to see a realistic central air conditioner repair price.
Last reviewed October 2026 · How we calculate estimates
Most central AC repairs cost $150 to $650. A capacitor or contactor, the most common summer failures, sits at the low end. Compressors, coils and condensers can cost $1,200 to $4,500 and are where the repair-or-replace question comes up. Refrigerant is priced by the pound, so the calculator lets you add it separately.
| Cost breakdown | Range |
|---|
| Repair | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Drain line flush | $75 – $250 |
| Capacitor | $100 – $250 |
| Thermostat | $140 – $350 |
| Circuit board | $150 – $700 |
| Contactor | $200 – $450 |
| Condenser fan motor | $200 – $700 |
| Expansion valve (TXV) | $300 – $500 |
| Blower motor | $300 – $900 |
| Compressor (under warranty, labor and refrigerant) | $600 – $1,200 |
| Condenser (outdoor unit) replacement | $1,200 – $4,200 |
| Compressor (out of warranty) | $1,800 – $2,800 |
| Evaporator coil (out of warranty) | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| Refrigerant, R-410A (per pound) | $50 – $80 |
| Refrigerant, R-22 (per pound) | $90 – $150 |
| Service call | $75 – $200 |
Source: HomeGuide, 2026 pricing data.
The outdoor fan isn't spinning and the technician replaces the capacitor. Choosing Capacitor with the service call gives $175 – $450 nationally, or $195 – $500 in California. If the technician also adds about 2 lb of R-410A, the total becomes $275 – $610 nationally.
A spring tune-up, before the first heat wave, is the best time to catch weak capacitors, dirty coils and drain problems. HVAC companies are busiest in peak summer, when wait times and emergency rates both go up. If your system is over 10 years old, use the 5,000 rule in our repair-or-replace guide before approving a large repair.
Each repair uses its own published installed price range, and refrigerant is priced per pound. The service call and emergency surcharge are added if you include them, and the total is adjusted by your state's BEA Regional Price Parity if you choose a state. See our methodology.
Many manufacturers cover parts for 5 to 10 years if the system was registered. That's why the table shows compressor and coil prices both ways: under warranty you typically pay only labor and refrigerant, which can cut the bill by more than half.
Most central AC repairs cost $150 to $650. Capacitors run $100 to $250, contactors $200 to $450, and fan motors $200 to $900. Compressors cost $1,800 to $2,800 out of warranty, and evaporator coils $2,500 to $4,500.
R-410A refrigerant costs about $50 to $80 per pound installed, and older R-22 refrigerant about $90 to $150 per pound. A typical recharge needs 2 to 4 pounds, plus the cost of finding and fixing the leak.
AC capacitor replacement typically costs $100 to $250 including parts and labor.
Multiply the system's age by the repair cost. If the result is over 5,000, get a replacement quote too. Out-of-warranty compressor or coil failures on systems over 10 years old often favor replacement.