In need of an air conditioning repair service in San Marcos, Texas or in a surrounding area?
If so, you probably want to know how much it’ll cost you.
Well, the cost to repair a central air conditioner in San Marcos ranges from $200 to $1,500+.
Pretty big price range, huh?
Well, the reason price can vary so much is because an AC repair depends on the following factors:
- The type of AC repair you need
- What your AC warranty covers
- The contractor you hire
Let’s go into more detail about each of these cost factors...
Cost factor #1: The type of AC repair you need
Some AC repairs are more expensive than others. That’s because…
- Parts vary in price
- Some repairs take longer than others, which increases the labor cost
Now, think of an AC repair like taking your broken car to the mechanic. You don’t know how much it will cost to fix it until a mechanic actually looks at your car, right?
It’s the same with a broken AC. A tech will need to inspect it to see what’s wrong before they can give you an accurate cost estimate.
But, to give you an idea of what you could pay for an AC repair, we’ll share some common air conditioning repairs with their average prices:
- Compressor replacement: $1,500–$3,500
- Evaporator coil replacement: $1,200–$3,000
- Blower motor replacement: $200–$450
- Capacitor replacement: $200–$450
- Contactor replacement: $200–$350
- Thermostat replacement: $200–$990
- Condensing fan motor replacement: $500–$1,100
Luckily, some of these repairs may be covered under warranty. Which brings us to our next cost factor...
Cost factor #2: Your AC warranty
If the AC replacement part or labor is covered under warranty, you may not have to pay as much for your AC repair.
Two types of warranties that might partially cover your AC repair cost include:
1. “Parts warranty”. This warranty comes from the manufacturer and covers important AC parts for 5–10 years after the AC was first installed. If you purchased an extended parts warranty, that time range may increase to 10–15 years.
Note: In order for a parts warranty to be considered valid from the manufacturer, you need to have followed these guidelines:
- You need to have registered your AC with the manufacturer within 30–90 days (depending on the manufacturer)
- You need to provide proof that your AC was regularly maintained by a certified professional
- You need to prove that only manufacturer-authorized parts were used in any repairs (instead of cheaper, off-brand alternatives)
2. “Labor warranty”. This warranty comes from the HVAC contractor who first installed your AC. A labor warranty covers the cost of labor to repair or replace a faulty part. A labor warranty typically will cover repairs 1–2 after installation, or 5+ years if you paid for an extended labor warranty. And if you recently had your AC repaired, most contractors typically add a 6-month or 1-year labor warranty on that repair.
How to check what repairs your AC warranty covers
For a parts warranty...
- Find your AC model number, then search for it on the manufacturer's website to see if you can find the warranty there. If you can’t, contact the manufacturer directly and they’ll have your warranty info.
For a labor warranty...
- Contact the contractor who first installed your AC system and they will have your labor warranty info.
Cost factor #3: The contractor you hire
Who you hire to repair your air conditioner also determines how much you pay.
Our advice? Don’t immediately write off a contractor who is more expensive than another. You see, higher-priced contractors typically offer higher-quality work, which means you won’t run the risk of the same part breaking down in the future.
But don’t judge a tech’s quality by their price alone.
Some questions to ask yourself before you hire a contractor include:
- Are they licensed and insured? If not, look elsewhere. If an accident happens on the job and the contractor is licensed or insured, you’ll be financially and legally responsible.
- How long have they been in business? If they’ve been in business 10+ years, that means they have a good track record, so they’ll probably be around for another 10 years or more. On the other hand, if the company has only been around for a year, there’s no guarantee they’ll be around a year or so later when you need them.
- Are they upfront with their pricing?If a contractor is wishy-washy about price, or they avoid giving you straight answers, watch out. As a homeowner you deserve to know upfront what your repair will cost.
Do they have good online customer reviews? Check sites like Better Business Bureau, Yelp and Google to see what other customers in the San Marcos area have to say about the company.
Need an AC repair from a San Marcos tech?
We’ll send over one of our trusted techs to give you an honest and upfront estimate for your AC repair.
Visit our AC repair service page to learn more about what to expect when you hire Reliable Air.
We service San Marcos, Buda, Kyle, Wimberley, Cibolo, TX and more!
- Posted in:
- Buyer's Guide