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When the AC quits in a heat wave, the first question is “how bad is it?” Most air conditioner repairs cost $150 to $700 in 2026, averaging around $375 — but a major component like a compressor can run several times that.
What you’re paying for
Every repair starts with a service call ($75–$200) to diagnose the issue, often credited toward the fix. From there, the cost depends entirely on the failed part: a capacitor is a quick, cheap swap, while a coil or compressor is a major job. The table below breaks it down.
Cost by repair
The single biggest variable is which part failed. Capacitors and contactors are the most common (and cheapest) fixes; compressors and coils are the expensive ones that push you toward replacement.
Repair or replace?
A useful rule: if the repair costs more than about a third of a new system and your AC is past 10–12 years, replacement usually wins — you stop sinking money into an aging unit and gain efficiency. A $250 capacitor on a 6-year-old system is an easy fix; a $2,500 compressor on a 14-year-old unit is not.
The refrigerant factor
If your system is old and low on refrigerant, note that older refrigerants are being phased out and are increasingly expensive. A persistent leak plus pricey recharges is often a sign it’s time to replace rather than keep topping up.
How to save on AC repair
- Maintain it — annual tune-ups catch small issues before they become big ones.
- Replace the capacitor first if that’s the diagnosis; it’s the cheapest common fix.
- Get a second opinion before approving a compressor or full replacement.
- Avoid emergency calls by servicing before peak summer.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic / service call | $75 – $200 | – |
| Capacitor or contactor | $100 – $400 | – |
| Refrigerant recharge | $200 – $700 | – |
| Fan motor | $300 – $700 | – |
| Evaporator / condenser coil | $600 – $2,000 | – |
| Compressor | $1,000 – $3,000 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitor / contactor | $100 – $400 | Most common fix |
| Refrigerant leak + recharge | $200 – $1,500 | – |
| Fan motor | $300 – $700 | – |
| Evaporator coil | $600 – $2,000 | – |
| Compressor | $1,000 – $3,000 | Often replace the unit instead |
What affects the price
- The failed part A capacitor is cheap; a compressor or coil is a major repair approaching replacement cost.
- Refrigerant type Older systems use phased-out refrigerant that's increasingly expensive to recharge.
- System age Repairs on a unit past 12–15 years are often money better spent on replacement.
- Emergency timing After-hours and peak-summer calls carry premiums.
AC repair cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical AC repair job costs about $180 to $820 per unit in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $130 to $600 per unit (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $130 – $610/unit |
| Alaska | $170 – $800/unit |
| Arizona | $140 – $670/unit |
| Arkansas | $130 – $600/unit |
| California | $170 – $780/unit |
| Colorado | $150 – $700/unit |
| Connecticut | $160 – $750/unit |
| Delaware | $150 – $690/unit |
| District of Columbia | $160 – $760/unit |
| Florida | $140 – $640/unit |
| Georgia | $140 – $640/unit |
| Hawaii | $180 – $820/unit |
| Idaho | $140 – $660/unit |
| Illinois | $170 – $800/unit |
| Indiana | $150 – $710/unit |
| Iowa | $150 – $680/unit |
| Kansas | $140 – $670/unit |
| Kentucky | $140 – $650/unit |
| Louisiana | $140 – $630/unit |
| Maine | $150 – $690/unit |
| Maryland | $150 – $700/unit |
| Massachusetts | $170 – $800/unit |
| Michigan | $150 – $700/unit |
| Minnesota | $160 – $760/unit |
| Mississippi | $130 – $610/unit |
| Missouri | $150 – $710/unit |
| Montana | $150 – $690/unit |
| Nebraska | $140 – $660/unit |
| Nevada | $150 – $720/unit |
| New Hampshire | $150 – $690/unit |
| New Jersey | $170 – $800/unit |
| New Mexico | $140 – $640/unit |
| New York | $170 – $770/unit |
| North Carolina | $140 – $630/unit |
| North Dakota | $150 – $710/unit |
| Ohio | $150 – $700/unit |
| Oklahoma | $140 – $640/unit |
| Oregon | $170 – $770/unit |
| Pennsylvania | $150 – $710/unit |
| Rhode Island | $160 – $730/unit |
| South Carolina | $140 – $640/unit |
| South Dakota | $140 – $630/unit |
| Tennessee | $140 – $640/unit |
| Texas | $140 – $640/unit |
| Utah | $140 – $660/unit |
| Vermont | $150 – $680/unit |
| Virginia | $140 – $670/unit |
| Washington | $170 – $810/unit |
| West Virginia | $140 – $670/unit |
| Wisconsin | $160 – $730/unit |
| Wyoming | $150 – $690/unit |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does AC repair cost on average?
- Most repairs run $150–$700, averaging about $375. Minor fixes like a capacitor are $100–$300, while a compressor replacement is $1,000–$3,000.
- When should I repair vs. replace my AC?
- A good rule: if the repair costs more than about a third of a new system and your unit is past 10–12 years, replacement is usually the smarter spend — especially for compressor or coil failures.
- Why is a compressor so expensive?
- The compressor is the heart of the system and labor-intensive to replace. At $1,000–$3,000, it often costs nearly as much as a new condenser, so many homeowners replace instead.
- How much is a refrigerant recharge?
- A recharge runs $200–$700, but a leak should be found and fixed first — repeatedly recharging a leaking system wastes money and refrigerant.
- Is there a service call fee?
- Yes — most companies charge $75–$200 to diagnose the problem, often credited toward the repair if you proceed.
- What are common AC problems?
- Failed capacitors, low refrigerant from leaks, frozen evaporator coils, clogged condensate drains, and worn fan motors are the most common service calls.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources:
- AC Repair Cost in 2026, Fixr
- Air Conditioner Repair Cost (2026 Pricing), This Old House
- 2026 HVAC Repairs Cost Guide, Angi