- Most homeowners wait too long to address problems with their air conditioners, which can lead to expensive repairs.
- You can avoid costly repairs by doing routine maintenance on your AC unit every year or two.
- If worse comes to worse and your AC cannot be fixed, be sure to set aside about $1,000 or so for a new unit.
Most homeowners don’t worry about AC repair until it’s absolutely necessary — after their air conditioning stops working during the hottest part of the summer. Or when their annual energy bill suddenly goes through the roof. These problems usually come from common issues like clogged coils, dirty condenser coils, bad thermostats, or failing compressors. To find out more common issues, make sure to search online.
Fortunately, you can prevent these costly problems by doing routine maintenance on your AC unit every year or two. It might not be fun to think about, but there are many steps you can take to decrease your chances of needing expensive AC repair in the future. Search online today to discover the best prices on AC repair.
Here are some of the most common AC problems and how much it will cost you to get them fixed.
Fixing an Air Conditioner Leak
If you’re having trouble with your air conditioner, be sure to check out these common AC leaks and fixes. Leaks cause a loss of coolant. That can lead to major problems in an air conditioning system. The average cost to fix a leak is $150 to $500.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce or eliminate leaks from occurring. First, cover your air conditioner unit (if possible) during the off-season, when you’re not using it. Secondly, an annual inspection should help you spot minor problems before they become major.
Follow these tips, and your system will run much more efficiently — saving money on electricity bills as well as preventing expensive repairs down the road. When we talk about air conditioning repair costs , you might think only about purchasing new parts, but there are several less-expensive solutions that might fix your issue before spending cash on replacements.
Fixing High or Low Temperatures
When it comes to air conditioning repair costs, figuring out what’s wrong with your system can be tricky. If you think you might have a cooling problem, start by calling a professional to diagnose your system. They can find out what’s causing too low (or too high) temperatures in your home or office.
The most likely problem is a lack of coolant. It can slowly leak out of your system overtime. Assuming there isn’t a major leak, an HVAC professional can recharge your AC with more coolant for a reasonable price. It usually runs between $150 and $400. It could also be a fan issue, which is roughly the same cos
It’s crucial that you make sure everything is working correctly before you proceed with any further repairs — if there are any major problems that are not fixed, temperatures could get worse instead of better after the service call.
Fixing a Short Circuit
This problem causes your air conditioner to kick on, but you don’t feel any cold air. To fix it, turn off your unit and call a professional. This problem can damage other parts of your unit if left unfixed. The average cost to repair short-circuiting is $200 to $300 per visit, depending on where you live. That said, some people report getting charged up to $800 for one trip.
If you have more than one part go bad at once (e.g., an air filter and an electronic board), expect to pay more. It could end up being double or triple what you would pay if just one part went bad.
Replacing an Old Air Conditioner
The most common air conditioning repair costs are associated with replacing old, inefficient equipment. This includes repairs to your current unit and replacement with a new system. Since newer air conditioners are much more energy efficient than older models, you can expect significant savings on your utility bills when replacing an old unit with a newer model.
Newer systems tend to last longer too. That further reduces long-term costs by reducing maintenance and repair needs over time. However, you’ll still need to spend some up-front money to replace your old unit.
Spending $1,000 on a New Air Conditioner
AC systems can go out at any time. It’s smart to set aside a few hundred dollars per year to cover these costs. (Or make sure your emergency fund can handle it.) If your AC unit breaks, a repair company will likely charge you around $1,000 to install a new unit — and that’s if there aren’t any complications.
Note that prices differ based on your region and size of your house. In Los Angeles, an air conditioner typically costs between $1,300 and $3,600. In other areas, like New York City or Chicago, installation could cost as much as $5,000. On average, though, a new system should cost about two-thirds of what it would to replace one completely.
Buying a Packaged System
Total package systems are another common way to buy an air conditioner. They come with everything you need for installation, including ductwork and vents (plus a professional to do the installing). The prices of packaged systems vary widely, but on average you can expect to pay between $6,000 and $15,000 depending on your desired features.
Many air conditioning companies offer financing options so that your monthly payments will be less than what you would pay if you were to purchase everything separately. Just watch out for unreasonably high interest rates on these offers. You don’t want your $10,000 AC system to cost you $22,000 in payments after eight years.
The Bottom Line
This article covers how much you can expect to pay on average for some of the most common problems with air conditioning systems, including fans that stop working, valves that stick, and coils that need cleaning. These repairs tend to cost between $50 and $500. If your entire system goes out, count on spending a few thousand dollars to get it replaced. Use our advice to make sure you get a fair deal.
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