How Much Do Window Air Conditioner Repairs Cost?
Typical Range:
$105 - $359
Typical Range:
$105 - $359
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 647 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
•
•
•
•
Updated October 14, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.The cost of repairing a window AC unit ranges between $105 and $359, with an average window AC repair cost of $230. These window air conditioner repair cost estimates include the typical price range for replacement parts (around $2 to $150) plus the hourly labor rate for repair (about $50 to $100 per hour).
Repairing your window AC can make it last a few years longer before you need to replace it. Some tasks are easy to DIY, but others require hiring an air conditioning professional.
Let's calculate cost data for you. Where are you located?
Where are you located?
National Average | $230 |
Typical Range | $105 - $359 |
Low End - High End | $45 - $880 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 647 HomeAdvisor members.
The average window air conditioner repair cost is about $75 per hour but can range between $50 and $100 per hour, depending on HVAC technician rates. You’ll pay this hourly fee on top of the cost of replacement parts.
Some window AC repair jobs only take a few minutes. In these cases, HVAC technicians may charge a flat service fee between $50 and $150. Depending on your comfort level and the extent of the issue, you may be able to tackle the repairs yourself, in which case your only costs are the replacement parts.
In addition to the cost of approximately $110 to $380 to repair your window AC, you may run into other repairs:
Price to repair windows: $390 per window
Cost of window frame repair: $380 per frame
Cost to replace a glass window pane: $280 per window
Hiring a pro to recharge a window AC costs around $100 to $150. DIY refrigerant replacement kits run from $20 to $40, but you’ll probably need to hire a pro to put it in. Many states require you to have a special license to handle refrigerant because it’s a toxic substance.
Most AC units don’t need this service. It’s only necessary if they have a refrigerant leak. Fixing the leak may run more, depending on how long it takes the technician to locate and repair it.
The U.S. started phasing out Freon production in 2015 and fully phased it out by 2020. If your system uses R-22, you may not be able to buy the refrigerant in stores. If you bought your window AC before 2010, you might need to replace it instead of recharging it. Installing a new window AC unit costs between $150 and $500.
Most systems made before 2010 used R-22, commonly called Freon. New units use a different refrigerant, typically R-410A. It's essential to know the type of refrigerant you have. Manufacturers sell many products as Freon, but they won't all work with your machine.
Your window AC repair cost depends on more than just a technician's hourly rate. Repair prices can vary significantly depending on which part or parts you need to replace. A filter may cost as little as $2, while a fan motor can cost as much as $150.
Window AC Unit Part | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
Blower wheel | $15 – $50 |
$10 – $30 | |
$50 – $130 | |
Curtain frame | $15 – $30 |
Fan motor | $100 – $150 |
Filter | $2 – $6 |
Support bracket | $30 – $100 |
Thermostat | $30 – $90 |
Third-party products typically cost less than brand-name parts designed specifically for your unit, but they may not fit your window unit perfectly and could run less efficiently. Some parts, like a filter, will work with most models. If your professional sources the parts for you, expect them to mark up by roughly 10%.
The average portable AC repair cost is $230, ranging from $100 to $350. As with window units, portable ACs are typically inexpensive to repair, especially compared to the average cost of repairing an AC unit. Typical portable AC unit problems include clogged filters, fan issues, leaks, and tube condensation.
Window AC units are less complicated than large central air conditioning systems but still sometimes encounter problems requiring repair. Here are some of the most likely issues your window unit may encounter:
Short cycling: Unit turns off before the room is cool
No cool air: Only room-temperature air comes out
System not working: Unit doesn’t turn on
Circuit tripping: Breaker keeps shutting off
Water leaks: Unit drips water or accumulates ice
Typically, the source of these issues comes down to one of four main causes:
Dirty filter or components
Rodent or insect infestation
Clogged condensate drain
Refrigerant leak
Homeowners should remove and store window air conditioners inside when they aren’t in use. This minimizes dirt accumulation and discourages pests from building nests. Hiring a handyperson to do this costs around $55 to $75.
Professional air conditioner maintenance costs about $75 to $200. Since this is close to the price of a new window AC, you may want to DIY a few tasks instead:
Clean the air filter every month.
Wipe out the water pan and condenser coils once per season.
Cover or remove the unit in winter.
Note: Before doing any work, unplug the unit or turn off the circuit breaker. This helps prevent injury.
Additional window air conditioner repair cost factors can drive up or down the final price of repair work. Factors to consider include the season, warranty, urgency, and size of the unit.
Understandably, local HVAC contractors will be busier with AC repair in the spring and summer. When homeowners first turn on their central AC or put their window units back in each spring, they may find their systems aren't operating properly. This means HVAC technicians are extraordinarily busy—and because they're in high demand, their rates might be higher.
To keep costs down, try running your system or testing your window AC unit in late winter. If there is a problem, you can have the contractor come out while it’s still a slow time for them. Thus, costs may be lower.
While central AC and mini-split systems may come with extensive warranties, window units purchased at local hardware stores may only come with short, optional warranties—if they come with any at all. However, the contract may cover repair costs.
If your AC breaks down outside business hours or on weekends, you may pay premium prices for emergency repairs, especially during a heat wave. To save money, consider staying with a friend or family member, then contacting a local AC repair contractor during regular business hours.
Window AC units can vary in type and size. While the average window AC repair cost will depend more on the issue you need to fix, your prices may be slightly higher for larger units. These can be heavier for the contractor to work with and might have more complicated parts.
Window air conditioner installation costs around $150 to $500 compared to about $100 to $400 for repair. Since the ranges overlap, you’ll need to decide if you want to fix the unit or replace it.
Repairing a window AC often takes less time and effort. Larger units, which can run up to about $1,100, may also cost less to fix than replace. Replace the unit if it's close to the average life span of 10 years. New systems are usually more efficient and may have modern features, such as a remote control. Buying a new one requires the following:
Research into new products
Time and labor to remove the old one
Disposal
Installation
While some basic AC repairs may qualify as a DIY job, often you’ll need to find a window AC repair contractor near you for the job, especially when recharging the AC or replacing the compressor. Other tasks, like replacing the air filter or curtain frame, are inexpensive and relatively easy for homeowners to do.
In some cases, it's worth the money to repair a window air conditioner. If the unit is relatively new and a more expensive model, it's likely much more affordable to fix. However, if it's an older, budget-friendly window AC unit, you'll likely spend just as much money repairing it as you would on a new, budget-friendly window AC unit or portable air conditioner.
Window air conditioners last about 10 years. Older units tend to lose efficiency through wear and tear on the components, even with good upkeep. If your unit is 10 years old or older, replacing it might be a good idea, even if it's running correctly. Today's window AC models are much more efficient than their predecessors and may have new technology, like remote controls.
If your portable AC isn't cooling, it may have a refrigerant leak or a problem with the circuit. In most cases, it makes sense to hire an air conditioner contractor near you to inspect the unit and make the necessary repairs. If it's an older unit, purchasing a new portable AC might make more financial sense.
Window air conditioners now use R-410A refrigerant. Freon, another name for R-22, was officially phased out in 2020, per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This means the production of R-22 has been discontinued, and the U.S. will no longer import it from other countries. You don't have to stop using an R-22 air conditioner, but if there's an issue with the Freon, you'll need to replace the unit with a newer model.
Removing a wall-mounted AC costs about $55 to $75, the effective hourly rate of a handyperson. Many homeowners can tackle this job themselves at the end of each summer season. You only need to hire a professional to help if you can't move the unit yourself and don't have friends or family who can assist you. If you're paying the contractor to dispose of the unit, it might add about $25 to $50 to the total cost.