How much does an AC repair cost?
Most air conditioning repairs fall between $150 and $650, with a diagnostic fee of roughly $75–$200 that many companies credit toward the work. Capacitor replacement is among the cheapest common repairs; compressor failure is the most expensive and usually prompts a replace-or-repair decision.
Where the money goes
Often credited toward the repair
Depends heavily on leak location
Often the point to consider replacing the system
What changes the price
- Which component failed — this drives most of the variance
- Whether the part is still under manufacturer warranty
- Refrigerant type, as older R-22 systems are expensive to service
- Emergency, evening or weekend rates
- Accessibility of the equipment
- Regional labour rates
Repair or replace?
A common guideline is to multiply the repair cost by the system's age; if that exceeds the cost of a new system, replacement usually makes more sense. Practically: a system past 12–15 years facing a compressor or coil repair is usually worth replacing, while a younger system with a failed capacitor is clearly worth fixing.
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Last reviewed August 8, 2026. These are typical US ranges for orientation, not quotes. Pricing varies significantly by region, home and contractor — always get written estimates before committing.