The $15 capacitor
A run capacitor costs $9–30 wholesale. Quotes of $300–600 to swap one, including a reported $580 in Phoenix, are common.
AC not cold? Get the honest price to fix it.
Snap a photo, upload a quote or describe it. We'll tell you what's likely wrong, the parts it takes and what a fair hvac pro charges in your ZIP.
Related hvac problems
Typical fair prices
- Run capacitor$113–$323
- Contactor$132–$370
- Hard start kit$149–$420
- Condenser fan motor$258–$950
- Blower motor$387–$1,600
- Flame sensor$112–$275
- Hot surface igniter$143–$420
- Leak search and repair$200–$1,500
- Diagnostic service call$79–$150
- Tune-up$80–$180
National installed ranges, including a typical service call where one applies. Your check adjusts labor for your ZIP code.
What people get quoted vs. what's fair
| Job | Quoted | Fair range |
|---|---|---|
| Run capacitor replacement | $580 | $113–$323 |
| Full system replacement pitched instead of a repair | $8,500 | $850–$1,500 |
| Three replacement quotes for a repairable system | $9,700 | $1,500 |
Fair labor: $75–$150 an hour. After-hours work can fairly cost up to 1.5x. Your check uses the numbers on your own quote and your ZIP.
Common HVAC repair tricks
Replace, don't repair
An $8,500 replacement pitched when an $850 repair would fix it. Ask for the failed component by name and a repair price before discussing a new system.
Refrigerant top-off forever
Charging refrigerant every summer without finding the leak. A system that needs refrigerant has a leak.