Here in Cibolo, summers get incredibly hot—even in the springtime, the mercury often jumps into the 90s. While you’re outside, you can keep cool by dipping your toes in Cibolo Creek or taking a leisurely walk through Crescent Bend Nature Park. When you’re inside your home, on the other hand—you need an AC unit to keep you cool.
How much does AC repair cost? There are a number of factors that affect the cost to repair various problems, from the per-hour rate of the technicians to the replacement cost for the parts. Below, we’ll break down all the factors that can affect the average cost of repairs for different AC problems:
Factors That Affect AC Repair Costs
There are several different factors that can influence the cost of HVAC repairs.
The most important factor, of course, is what exactly needs to be repaired. Your air conditioner is full of moving parts—some are easy to repair, while some can be incredibly complicated.
We’ll talk about the repairs themselves in a bit, but before we get to that, we should talk about the other factors that affect air conditioner repair costs in Cibolo:
The Time of the Season
One of the most important factors is the time of season. Did your AC unit break down on the Fourth of July? The repair costs are going to be higher. It’s a holiday, it’s the cooling season, and you (sadly) probably aren’t the only one with a broken air conditioner. Need repairs in February? You’re probably looking at lower costs.
Maintenance and Age
Maintenance and age are also important factors. A well-maintained unit is less likely to need serious repairs; the same logic applies to a younger unit. What’s more, when your air conditioner is maintained regularly, it’s less likely that problems will develop in multiple parts simultaneously.
What Needs To Be Repaired?
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly repaired parts on air conditioners. We’ll give you an idea of the price of repairs and what can go wrong with the part. Keep in mind that repair costs vary widely depending on a number of factors, so we can’t give you an exact number. In brackets, we’ve included the words “mild”, “moderate”, or “major”—to give you an idea of the complexity (and cost) of each repair.
Fan motor (moderate): The fan blows air over the evaporator coils and compressor coils. Repairs can range from replacing faulty capacitors and loose wiring to installing new fan blades. In some circumstances, the entire fan and motor may need to be replaced.
Compressor (major): In best-case scenarios, problems with the compressor can be fixed by tightening loose connections, or by replacing faulty wiring, contactors, or capacitors. Compressors are very complex components—replacing a failed compressor can be expensive, and failed compressors often lead to refrigerant leaks.
Evaporator Coil (major): In the best case scenario, the evaporator coil is simply blocked by debris, which can cause your air conditioner to malfunction. The fix there is maintenance, and not repairs, so the cost is relatively low. Damaged and corroded coils, however, need to be replaced, and can cause refrigerant leaks, which significantly increases the price of repairs.
Blower Motor (moderate): The blower motor moves air through the ducts and into your home (or in the case of ductless systems, from the split unit into your room). Repairs range from replacing faulty capacitors to tuning and replacing mechanical parts like belts. In some cases, the whole blower motor will need to be replaced.
Refrigerant leak (moderate to major): The cost of replacing refrigerant varies depending on how much refrigerant was lost and the type of refrigerant used in the system. Additionally, we’ll have to repair whatever damage caused the refrigerant to leak in the first place.
Contactor (minor): The contactor is an electrical switch that turns your AC on and off, and provides power to the compressor, condenser fan, and blower motor. Contactors tend to be inexpensive to replace, and repairs are often minor issues like replacing wiring or securing loose connections.
Drain line service (minor): The condensate drain line removes water from your system. “Repair” is often maintenance—cleaning debris, mold, and other particles from the drain line so water can flow freely. Drain lines may also need to be replaced—fortunately, they’re relatively inexpensive.
Having a Valid AC Warranty
The warranty on your air conditioner will vary depending on the model and manufacturer, as well as on the age of the unit and the contractor you purchased and installed the unit with.
Manufacturer warranties generally last anywhere from 5 years to 10 years; some manufacturers offer extended warranties. They typically cover replacement for parts, but they don’t cover repairs needed due to wear and tear, and they don’t cover labor costs.
Your contractor may also offer labor warranties on the installation and repairs they perform on your air conditioner.
The Contractor You Choose
When it comes to choosing a contractor to work on your air conditioning system, you want to find the right balance between quality and price. You should be wary of people charging significantly less than other contractors—it could mean their work isn’t up to par.
Here at Classic, we offer high-quality AC repair at great prices.
Getting Cost-effective AC Repair in Cibolo With Classic Services
How much does AC repair cost in Texas? Less—when you get it with Classic. With our maintenance club plans, you’ll get routine tune-ups and a discount on all AC repairs.
Need AC repair in Cibolo? Call Classic Services today!