HVAC repair cost estimator
Pick the system and the part a technician named (or that you suspect). You get the fair national range, where a typical quote lands, and what should make you ask questions.
Most central AC repairs cost $150–$650 (average $360). Furnace repairs run $125–$480 (average $300). A diagnostic visit is $75–$200.
- Sourced national range
- Your estimate (derived)
HVAC repair costs by part
Prices include parts and labor at national averages. Cheapest fixes are electrical (capacitor, ignitor, flame sensor); the expensive ones are sealed-system and safety parts (compressor, coils, heat exchanger).
| Part / repair | System | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Condensate drain line flush Clearing algae from the condensate line. Fixes most indoor water leaks. | Central AC, Heat pump | $75–$250 |
| Fuse, breaker or relay Electrical protection for the system. A breaker that keeps tripping is a symptom, not the fault. | Central AC, Heat pump | $75–$300 |
| Flame sensor Proves the burner is lit. A dirty sensor shuts burners off after a few seconds. | Furnace | $80–$250 |
| Capacitor Gives the compressor and fan motors their starting kick. Most common summer failure: outdoor unit hums but will not start. | Central AC, Heat pump | $100–$250 |
| Compressor hard-start kit Add-on that helps an aging compressor start. A stopgap, not a cure. | Central AC, Heat pump | $100–$270 |
| Refrigerant recharge Topping up refrigerant. Refrigerant does not get "used up": low charge means a leak. | Central AC, Heat pump | $100–$600 |
| Condensate pump Pumps condensate water out when gravity drainage is not possible. | Central AC, Heat pump, Furnace | $100–$450 |
| Coil cleaning Cleaning dirty coils restores capacity and lowers bills. | Central AC, Heat pump | $100–$400 |
| Hot surface ignitor Glows to light the burners on most modern gas furnaces. A very common no-heat failure. | Furnace | $100–$250 |
| Thermocouple (standing pilot) Flame-proving device on older standing-pilot furnaces. | Furnace | $100–$300 |
| High-limit switch Shuts burners off if the furnace overheats, often due to a clogged filter. | Furnace | $100–$375 |
| Transformer Supplies the 24-volt control power for the thermostat and board. | Furnace | $100–$250 |
| Thermostat replacement Controls the whole system. Blank screens and wrong readings point here. | Central AC, Furnace, Heat pump | $140–$350 |
| Control / circuit board Electronic control in the air handler or condenser. | Central AC, Heat pump | $150–$700 |
| Contactor Relay that switches the outdoor unit on. Pitted contacts cause no-start or a unit that will not shut off. | Central AC, Heat pump | $200–$450 |
| Condenser fan motor (outdoor) Outdoor fan on top of the condenser. If it stops, the system overheats and trips off. | Central AC, Heat pump | $200–$700 |
| Refrigerant leak repair Finding and sealing the leak. The fix that makes a recharge last. | Central AC, Heat pump | $200–$1,500 |
| Drain pan replacement Catches water under the coil. Rusted pans leak. | Central AC, Heat pump | $200–$600 |
| Gas valve Controls gas flow to the burners. Licensed technician only. | Furnace | $200–$800 |
| Blower motor (indoor) Moves air through the ducts. Weak or no airflow at the vents points here. | Central AC, Furnace, Heat pump | $300–$900 |
| Expansion valve (TXV) Meters refrigerant into the evaporator coil. Failure causes poor cooling or icing. | Central AC, Heat pump | $300–$500 |
| Furnace control board The furnace’s brain; reads safeties and sequences ignition. | Furnace | $300–$650 |
| Flue pipe Vents combustion gases outside. | Furnace | $300–$700 |
| Draft inducer motor Small fan that vents combustion gases before the burners light. | Furnace | $400–$1,100 |
| Compressor replacement The heart of the outdoor unit. Often the point where replacing the whole system makes more sense. | Central AC, Heat pump | $600–$2,500 |
| Evaporator coil replacement Indoor coil that absorbs heat. Leaks here are common on older units. | Central AC, Heat pump | $1,000–$4,500 |
| Heat exchanger Separates flame from household air. A crack can leak carbon monoxide. | Furnace | $1,000–$3,000 |
Common HVAC repair costs, explained
AC compressor replacement cost: $600–$2,500
The compressor is the pump inside the outdoor unit. Signs it is failing: the outdoor fan runs but the air inside stays warm, the breaker trips when the unit starts, or the unit clanks and grinds. Check the warranty first: many compressors carry a 10-year parts warranty on registered units, leaving you to pay labor only. On a system older than about 10 years, compare the quote with a new system before you approve it.
AC capacitor replacement cost: $100–$250
The most common summer failure. The capacitor gives the compressor and fan their starting kick; when it fails, the outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin. The part itself is inexpensive, so most of the bill is the service call. Capacitors store a dangerous charge even with the power off, so leave the swap to a technician.
Blower motor replacement cost: $300–$900
The blower moves air through your ducts for both heating and cooling. Weak or no airflow at the vents, a humming air handler or a hot-motor smell point here. Variable-speed (ECM) motors sit at the top of the range; standard single-speed motors at the bottom.
Evaporator coil replacement cost: $1,000–$4,500
The indoor coil absorbs heat from your air. Repeated refrigerant leaks, ice on the coil and weak cooling are the usual signs. Price depends on size, access (attic installs cost more) and whether the new coil must be matched to the outdoor unit to keep its SEER2 rating.
AC freon (refrigerant) recharge cost: $100–$600
Refrigerant is not used up, so low charge means a leak. A recharge alone is a short-term fix; finding and sealing the leak runs $200–$1,500. Older systems that use R-22 are expensive to recharge because R-22 is no longer produced.
AC contactor replacement cost: $200–$450
The contactor is the switch that turns the outdoor unit on. Pitted or stuck contacts mean the unit will not start, or will not stop even when the thermostat is satisfied.
Furnace ignitor replacement cost: $100–$250
On most modern gas furnaces a hot-surface ignitor glows to light the burners. If you hear the inducer fan start but the burners never light, the ignitor is the first suspect. Ignitors are fragile and wear out, so this is one of the most common winter repairs.
Furnace control board replacement cost: $300–$650
The control board runs the startup sequence and reads the safety switches. A dead status light, error codes that point to the board, or a blower that never stops are typical signs. Ask the technician to rule out a blown low-voltage fuse first: it is a much cheaper fix.
Furnace heat exchanger replacement cost: $1,000–$3,000
A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide into your home. Many manufacturers warrant heat exchangers for 20 years or longer, so check the warranty. Even when covered, the labor is high enough that replacing an older furnace is often the better choice.
HVAC maintenance checklist and tune-up cost
An AC or furnace tune-up costs $70–$200, and an annual maintenance plan $150–$450. ENERGY STAR recommends a professional check-up every year: the cooling system in spring and the heating system in fall.
What you do yourself
- Inspect the air filter every month and change it when it is dirty. A clogged filter raises energy costs and can damage the equipment.
- Keep 2 feet of clear space around the outdoor unit or heat pump, and hose off the coil fins gently in spring.
- Flush the condensate drain line with a cup of white vinegar before cooling season.
- Test carbon monoxide detectors before heating season.
What the annual tune-up should include
- Check thermostat settings and the system start-up and shut-off cycle.
- Tighten electrical connections and measure voltage and current on the motors.
- Lubricate moving parts and clean and adjust the blower.
- Inspect the condensate drain.
- Cooling and heat pumps: clean the coils and check the refrigerant charge.
- Furnaces: check the gas connections and pressure, burner combustion and the heat exchanger.
Checklist based on the ENERGY STAR maintenance checklist. Tune-up prices: HomeGuide 2026.
The most expensive AC and furnace repairs
The most expensive AC repair is the evaporator coil (up to $4,500) followed by the compressor ($600–$2,500). On a furnace it is the heat exchanger ($1,000–$3,000).
Those three repairs are where the repair-or-replace decision usually lives. On a system older than about 10 years, a big sealed-system repair often buys you a few years on equipment that is near the end of its 15–20 year life anyway.
Refrigerant: why "just recharge it" is rarely the whole fix
An AC is a sealed loop; refrigerant is not consumed. If it is low, it leaked. A recharge alone ($100–$600) may get you through a season, but the lasting fix is finding and repairing the leak ($200–$1,500). Ask the technician where the leak is.
R-410A systems in 2026
Most systems installed before 2025 use R-410A. New equipment has moved to R-454B and R-32, but R-410A can still be used to service existing systems, so your unit can be recharged and repaired. As new production has stopped, expect recharge quotes toward the upper end of the range.
How to tell if a repair quote is fair
- Ask for the part name and the price split (part vs. labor). A vague "the unit needs a major repair" is not a quote.
- Compare with the range above. A quote well above the top of the range needs a reason: emergency hours, hard access, or a premium brand part.
- Know the hourly rates. Standard labor runs $75–$150/hour; emergency and after-hours $160–$250/hour.
- Check the warranty first. Many compressors and coils carry a 10-year parts warranty if the unit was registered. You would then pay labor only.
- Get a second quote for anything over about $1,000.
Questions homeowners ask
How much does it cost to fix an AC unit?
Most central AC repairs cost $150–$650, with a national average of $360. Small electrical fixes like a capacitor ($100–$250) sit at the bottom; a compressor ($600–$2,500) or evaporator coil ($1,000–$4,500) sit at the top.
What is the most expensive repair on an air conditioner?
Replacing the evaporator coil ($1,000–$4,500) or the compressor ($600–$2,500). On an older system these repairs often justify replacing the whole unit instead.
How much does a furnace repair cost?
Furnace repairs average $300 and usually fall between $125–$480. Ignitors and flame sensors are cheap; inducer motors ($400–$1,100) and heat exchangers ($1,000–$3,000) are not.
How much does an AC or furnace tune-up cost?
A tune-up costs $70–$200 per system. Annual maintenance plans that cover both heating and cooling run $150–$450 a year and often include repair discounts.
How much does it cost to replace an AC capacitor?
$100–$250 installed. It is the most common AC repair in summer: the outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin.
How much is an HVAC service call?
A diagnostic or service call costs $75–$200. Many companies credit it toward the repair if you approve the work.
What is the $5,000 rule for HVAC?
Multiply the system's age by the repair cost. If the result is over $5,000, replacing usually makes more sense than repairing. Example: a 12-year-old AC with a $600 repair = $7,200 → lean toward replacement. Our replacement cost tool runs this check for you.
Is a heat pump repair more expensive than an AC repair?
Not usually. A heat pump uses the same outdoor components as a central AC (capacitor, contactor, fan motor, compressor), so part prices are similar. General HVAC repairs average $293 ($144–$451).
Estimates for planning only. Prices vary by region, home, and contractor. Gas, refrigerant, and high-voltage work must be done by a licensed technician.