Your air conditioner (AC) unit is designed to run for years, but problems can arise and parts can fail, especially in extremely hot climates where the AC is running almost constantly. The AC compressor is the heart of your central AC system, and if that goes on the fritz you won’t have cool air. Modernize created this guide to AC compressor costs to help you better understand how your air conditioner works and how much you might have to spend to repair a faulty AC unit compressor.
Let’s get to it.
What Is an AC Compressor?
The AC compressor is one of the most important parts of your central air conditioning system.
The AC compressor is housed inside the large air conditioning unit that’s located outside your home. It works in unison with the evaporator, condenser, condenser coil, and the unit’s large fan to send cool air into your home.
Here’s how it works: The AC unit takes the warm air in your home and pulls it through return vents (the large metal grates in the ceiling with dust filters). The evaporator coils, which are filled with gaseous refrigerant, absorb this heat. The compressor reduces the volume of the low-pressure refrigerant, which increases its temperature and pressure. The heat generated from this process is moved outdoors via the condenser, while cool air is blown back into your home.
Your compressor has to work properly in order for your AC unit to function efficiently. If there isn’t enough refrigerant in your system, your compressor will work harder than it needs to and could fail prematurely. That’s one reason why it’s important to have your AC unit serviced regularly, since routine service is less expensive than the cost of a new AC unit compressor.
How Much Does a Replacement AC Compressor Cost?
If your AC compressor is on the fritz, you’ll likely want to get it replaced as soon as possible, especially when it’s blisteringly hot outside — July of 2023 was the hottest month ever recorded across the globe.
The cost to replace your AC compressor will be between $600 and $2,000 depending on the size of the unit. Replacing the AC compressor for a one-ton-sized air conditioning system, for instance, will cost around $600 to $900 for the parts, while a four-ton unit will cost between $900 and $2,100.
You’ll also have to budget around $300 to $900 for installation costs from a professional HVAC technician. Below is a closer look at factors that can bump up AC compressor replacement costs.
Factors That Influence AC Unit Compressor Cost
The size of your home is the main factor that determines overall AC unit compressor costs. Bigger homes require larger air conditioning units, which require larger compressors.
Homes in the 2,200-square-foot range typically have a 3.5- to 4.5-ton air conditioning system. Units of this size put out between 42,000 and 54,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of cooling capacity. If you want to get more technical, figure 20 BTUs per square foot. A 1,500-square-foot home would require a system capable of putting out at least 30,000 BTUs, while a 2,500-square-foot home would require at least 50,000 BTUs of cooling capacity.
AC unit compressor costs can vary by system as well. Here’s a breakdown of different AC unit types:
- Window AC. Between $100 and $300.
- Mini split and multi split. Between $600 and $2,000.
- Heat pump. Between $800 and $2,900.
- Central AC. Between $800 to $2,500.
Regardless of the system that’s cooling your home, you can expect to pay an additional $75 to $150 an hour for a licensed HVAC technician to fix your broken AC compressor. While you can get quotes regarding total installation time, the job will likely take between four and six hours to complete.
Costs by AC Compressor Type
AC units have different parts depending on their energy efficiency ratings (known as the SEER or SEER2 rating). Your replacement compressor will either be a single-stage, two-stage or variable-speed unit — the higher the SEER/SEER2 rating, the more likely your unit has a two-stage or variable-speed compressor. Here’s a look at cost by compressor type:
- Single-stage compressors cost between $250 and $1,000.
- Two-stage compressors cost between $1,000 and $2,000.
- Variable-speed compressors cost between $1,500 and $2,800.
AC Compressor Size
You also can figure AC compressor replacement costs by size:
- A 1.5-ton compressor will cost between $800 and 1,400.
- A 2-ton compressor will cost between $900 and $1,500.
- A 2.5-ton compressor will cost between $1,000 and $1,700.
- A 3-ton compressor will cost between $1,200 and $2,000.
- A 3.5-ton compressor will cost between $1,300 and $2,200.
- A 4-ton compressor will cost between $1,500 and $2,500.
AC Compressor Costs By Brand
When shopping for an AC unit compressor, stick with brand names so you don’t find yourself in the same spot just a few short years later. Here are a handful of compressor costs from premium AC equipment manufacturers:
- Trane/American Standard–$450–$2,200
- Lennox–$600–$2,300
- Carrier–$450–$2,000
- Rheem/Ruud–$600–$1,400
A few other factors will influence total AC unit compressor replacement costs. These include the location of your main outdoors AC unit, and whether or not the HVAC technician needs to add refrigerant to your system. You can add an additional $100 to $300 for the latter.
How AC Compressor Warranties Impact Cost
The good news for homeowners who need to replace an AC compressor is that many air conditioning systems come with limited warranties on parts — you’ll only have to pay for installation costs.
Parts warranties vary by manufacturer but typically range from 10 to 15 years. It’s important to note that you could void the manufacturer’s warranty by not getting your AC unit serviced regularly or failing to register your AC system.
Eight Tips for Saving on an AC Compressor Costs
You can see from the information provided here that AC compressor replacement costs could run upwards of $2,000 for even a modest-sized home. Here’s some tips you can use to prevent premature failure and extend the life of your AC compressor, which will save money on future installation costs.
- Schedule routine service for your AC unit.
- Change the filters on the AC return every three months.
- Reduce air conditioning usage.
- Seal leaks at doors and windows to increase energy efficiency.
- Install programmable thermostats.
- Keep your AC unit free of debris.
- Raise thermostat temperatures when you are gone for extended periods of time.
- Use ceiling and room fans to supplement cooling effects.
As far as saving money on AC compressor replacement costs, your best hope is to ensure your AC unit is registered with the manufacturer and you follow all warranty guidelines to the letter.
DIY or Hire a Licensed HVAC Professional?
Homeowners may consider savings money on installation costs by replacing a faulty AC compressor themselves, but there are many reasons why the job is best left to a trained professional.
The replacement work typically comes with a warranty, and you’ll get piece of mind knowing the job was done correctly. Even skilled homeowners rarely have experience working with the intricacies of a central AC or other type of home cooling systems.
Hiring a licensed and trained professional removes the possibility of getting something wrong, which will increase your AC unit’s down time and leave you sweating under the hot summer sun.
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