HVAC repair cost

How Much Does HVAC Repair Cost?

As the Christmas season rolls in and carols fill the air, your region will likely notice a drop in temperature. While you may love a chilly winter night, this drop could have adverse effects on your home.

Due to the current supply shortage, the U.S. Department of Energy forecasts that Americans are going to have a harder time heating their homes. If you live in an area with harsh winters, this news couldn’t come at a worse time. To heat your home effectively, you need a reliable HVAC system.

If your system suffers damage, you may wonder about HVAC repair costs. A damaged system is less likely to heat your home efficiently in the winter, making repairs necessary.

If you need HVAC repair but want to know what meets your budget, you’re in luck! In this HVAC repair cost guide, we’ll explore the factors that affect this price. Let’s jump right in!

HVAC Repair Cost

It’s difficult to give an average cost of HVAC repairs since people need so many different kinds of issues fixed. However, you can find an average hourly range.

Typically, the range for HVAC repair cost per hour is $85-$150. In addition to this fee, you may also have to pay for the price of parts.

If you need emergency HVAC repair, you’ll likely pay a higher price. Generally, this falls on the higher end of the price spectrum.

Emergency repairs constitute repairs made after standard business hours. These include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Another factor that could affect the cost is the type of repairs you need. We’ll explore some of those repair types in the sections below.

Furnaces and Air Handler Tune-Up Costs

Many homes use either a furnace or heat pump to heat their interiors. If you use a heat pump, the inside unit is typically an air handler. Whether you use a heat pump or a furnace, the system circulates air through your ducts with a blower fan.

A furnace tune-up, or annual service, typically costs between $140-$150. Air handler inspections generally cost less than furnace inspections since they don’t have gas valves to clean.

Most heating and air services offer annual agreements to inspect and tune all of your HVAC equipment at set intervals in the year. Usually, signing up for these agreements can get you a discount on parts or repairs you may need to purchase.

Furnace and Air Handler Repair Cost

While a tune-up may be enough to get you through the winter, you may also experience damages in your furnace or air handler. These cases go beyond the level of maintenance and into repairs.

Furnace repairs often fall between $180-$400, depending on what parts you’re replacing or fixing. At the low end of the spectrum, you may need a filter replacement, which could cost $85-$150. On the higher side, you may need to replace your heat exchanger, which can cost over $1,500.

Since air handlers have many of the same parts as a furnace, many repair costs are similar. However, in places where they have unique features, they may have varying prices.

Cost of Heat Pump Tune-Up

Your HVAC system may experience difficulties from either your air conditioner or your heating pump. Typically, a tune-up for these two parts ranges from $115-$250.

You may notice that these prices are higher than those for furnaces and air handlers. There are several reasons for this, including:

Heat pumps require more work to tune up
Require more time to finish

A technician must go through a thorough checklist when servicing your heat pump. Some of the things this checklist requires are in the following list:

Inspect condensing unit for any wear that could cause a breakdown
Ensure wiring is in good condition
Clean outdoor coil
Check the voltage on electrical components to prevent failure
Check the refrigerant charge level
Check condensing unit fan
Clean indoor coil after inspection
Inspect drain pan and drain tube
Inspect, clean, lubricate, and balance the blower motor
Run the system to ensure it operates accordingly

Tuning up a heat pump is a complex process, but it can prevent small things from developing into big problems. If left unchecked, they could lead to heat pump repairs. We’ll talk about those prices in the next section.

Heat Pump Repairs or Replacement Costs

On average, heat pumps won’t break the bank to repair. In some cases, you can fix a heat pump or air conditioner unit for as little as $145.

The highest repair costs you’ll likely face come when you need to replace a coil or compressor. Either of these could cost between $1,000 and $3,000.

In general, though, most heat pump and AC repairs will cost below $500. While they’re not cheap, most families can afford these repairs to make it through winter.

Depending on your pump’s condition, you may need to replace your system. These systems cost more because they have additional parts that help them function in winter.

So, what does a replacement cost look like? Depending on the pump you buy, it could cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000.

Several factors affect these costs, but the primary ones are the size of your unit and its capacity. A 1-stage or 2-stage pump could significantly affect how much you pay.

Find an HVAC Repair Service Today!

The first step to repairing your HVAC system is to have it inspected. If inspectors notice any problems, you may need them to fix them quickly.

So, how can you find an HVAC service with an affordable HVAC repair cost range? It’s simple. You can use our services to find an average HVAC repair cost that works for you.

Our service is free to use and helps you find available technicians near you. To learn more, try out our work today!