Whether your AC stopped cooling, is making a strange noise, or won't turn on, this guide covers what's likely wrong, what the repair should cost, when you need a licensed technician, and how to hire the right one.
AC repair is the diagnosis and fix of a central air conditioner or the cooling side of a heat pump. A technician measures refrigerant pressures and temperatures, tests electrical components, and inspects the coils, blower, and drain system to find the fault. Most repairs are completed in a single visit; parts like capacitors, contactors, and fan motors are usually carried on the truck.
A diagnostic or service-call fee (typically $75–$169) covers the visit and troubleshooting, and many contractors credit it toward the repair if you approve the work.
Pick a symptom on our HVAC problem triage for likely causes and safe first checks, or read the summary below.
Dirty filter, frozen coil, low refrigerant, failed capacitor, or a dirty condenser coil.
Thermostat set wrong, tripped breaker to the outdoor unit, low refrigerant, or a failed compressor.
Tripped breaker, blown low-voltage fuse, bad thermostat, failed transformer, or a full condensate pan.
Grinding or screeching often means a failing motor bearing; buzzing points to a capacitor or contactor.
Clogged condensate drain line, cracked drain pan, or a coil that froze and is now melting.
Oversized system, dirty filter, low refrigerant, or a failing control board.
Installed ranges including parts and labor, before a diagnostic fee. Get a tailored figure with the AC Repair Cost Calculator.
| Repair | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
| Capacitor | $100 – $400 |
| Contactor | $110 – $400 |
| Condensate drain line clearing | $75 – $250 |
| Condenser fan motor | $250 – $700 |
| Refrigerant leak & recharge | $300 – $1,500 |
| Blower motor | $300 – $1,100 |
| Evaporator coil | $650 – $2,200 |
| Compressor | $800 – $2,800 |
You can safely do these yourself: replace the air filter, gently clear the outdoor unit of leaves and debris (power off), rinse the outdoor coil with a garden hose, and clear a simple condensate drain clog with a wet/dry vacuum.
Call a licensed, EPA-certified HVAC technician for anything involving:
If you smell gas or suspect a carbon-monoxide or electrical hazard, leave the home and call 911 or your utility before anything else.
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Most common AC repairs run $150 to $650 including parts, labor, and a diagnostic fee. Minor fixes like a capacitor or contactor are often under $250; a compressor or evaporator coil can run $1,500 or more. Use the AC Repair Cost Calculator for an estimate by part.
Common causes include a dirty air filter, a frozen evaporator coil, low refrigerant from a leak, a failed capacitor, or a dirty outdoor condenser coil. Replace the filter and clear the outdoor unit; if cooling doesn't return, have a technician check the refrigerant charge and electrical components.
If the system is more than about 12 years old, uses R-22 refrigerant, or the repair costs more than half the price of a new unit, replacement is often the better value. The Repair or Replace calculator weighs age, repair cost, and energy use.
Many contractors offer same-day or next-day service, and 24/7 emergency response for a no-cool situation in extreme heat. Emergency and after-hours visits usually carry a premium.
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