How Much Does a Central Air Conditioning Repair Cost in AZ?

Updated September 2022

Wondering how much it costs to repair a central air conditioner in Arizona?

The average cost to repair a central air conditioner in the Phoenix area is $1,200.

But this is one question where the average doesn’t give you an accurate idea of what you’ll actually pay.

Why’s that, you ask? Well, there are multiple factors that determine an air conditioner repair cost. These cost factors include…

1. The type of repair you need
2. The type of warranty you have
3. The condition of your AC
4. The contractor you choose

Let’s explore those cost factors in more detail.

Contact us today for an air conditioner repair service.

When you take your car to a mechanic, you know there’s a wide range of repairs your car might need, from a simple oil change to a complex transmission fix.

It’s the same with air conditioners: some repairs are easy to fix and inexpensive; others are complicated and pricey.

So you can see why looking at an average cost isn’t very helpful. There are some repairs that only cost $75–$200 and there are others that exceed $1,000. To give you a better idea of what things cost, we’ve listed some common air conditioner repairs with their associated expense:

• Condensate pump replacement ($478-$1,500)
• Condenser fan motor replacement ($600-$2,494)
• Replacing a capacitor or contactor ($237-$541)
• Replacing a circuit board ($1,100-$1,600)
• Detecting and repairing a refrigerant leak ($750-$3,500)
• Recharging refrigerant ($450-$2,500)

Some of these AC repairs are pretty pricey, right? Well, luckily, some of those parts and sometimes labor is covered under your warranty...

A valid warranty will reduce the amount of money you’ll pay for an AC repair. Most major-brand air conditioners come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty that covers essential parts like:

• The condenser coil
• Connecting tubing
• The evaporator coil
• The compressor (one of the most expensive parts on an AC)

In addition to manufacturer parts warranties, your a/c contractor probably offers a labor warranty as well. For example, if your AC was installed less than a year ago, there’s a good chance that the company that installed it will repair or replace a faulty part at little or no charge.

However, warranties need to be valid for you to claim the benefits. What makes an HVAC warranty invalid? These factors...

• Failure to register the warranty
• Using off-brand replacement parts
• Improper AC installation
• Lack of annual maintenance
• Failure to provide documentation of regular maintenance

How to find out if your warranty is still valid: Contact the contractor who installed your AC system. They’ll be able to look up the manufacturer warranty and inspect your system to help you gauge if your warranty is still valid. They’ll also be able to inform you if you qualify for a labor warranty.

If you’re curious about what your manufacturer parts warranty covers, you can visit the manufacturer's website and look up the corresponding warranty to your AC model.

How old is your air conditioner? Has it been well-cared for?

Ask yourself those questions when you face an AC repair. Here’s why: if your air conditioner is 10–12 years old, it’s nearing the end of its life. So it may be more cost-effective in the long run to replace it instead of just repairing it.

Your HVAC contractor will help you determine whether to replace or repair your AC, so that’s why it’s important to choose a trustworthy contractor.

Who you choose to repair your AC greatly influences what you’ll end up paying for a repair.

First, you should become familiar with how your contractor charges for their services. Here are some terms to be familiar with:

• Service call charge: This is what you’ll pay just to have a professional visit your home and inspect your system. Service call charges usually range anywhere from $50–$150+ . Most times if you do need a repair, the company will not charge you for a service call charge, if you are purchasing their suggested repair.
• Flat-rate pricing vs. hourly pricing: Some contractors price their repairs based on the whole project cost (flat-rate); others charge by the hour + parts (hourly pricing). Knowing a contractor’s pricing method up front can give you a good estimate of what you’ll pay for the project.

Most importantly, you’ll want to choose a quality contractor. A good AC repair company will do commendable work, which will make your AC last longer and run efficiently. So how can you tell if a contractor is good? Good contractors will satisfy their customers. You can read customer service reviews on websites like Better Business Bureau (BBB), Review Buzz, Facebook, Google and Yelp.

Contact George Brazil to schedule an AC repair today. We’ve been serving Arizona residents in the Valley of the Sun since 1955.