How much does replacing an air conditioner compressor typically cost? The cost of replacing an air conditioner compressor ranges anywhere between $550 and $2,400 as of 2015. Factors such as the model of the air conditioning unit, the faulty components and the refrigerant used influence the cost of replacement. What does it cost to repair a home AC compressor? How much does it cost to replace a heat pump/air conditioner compressor? How can you troubleshoot a Tempstar air conditioner? The central air compressor costs up to $650, while refrigerant recharge may cost up to $400. Replacing a compressor unit calls for the replacement of additional components, such as the air conditioning drier, thus raising the replacement cost. The extra cost comes from services such as problem diagnosis and labor charges. If the air conditioning unit is older than 10 years, it may be economical to replace the whole unit than replacing the compressor. In most cases, such units are out of factory warranty cover, and the parts are not readily available.

What are the important parts of an air conditioner? Perhaps the most important part of an air conditioner is the compressor, which compresses the refrigerant. Compression warms the refrigerant, which is allo... What is a compressor's function on an air conditioner? The compressor in an air conditioner draws in cool, low-pressure refrigerant gas and squeezes it until the gas turns into a hot, high-pressure gas. How do you know when the AC compressor is bad? One major sign that an AC compressor has gone bad and needs replacement is when the air conditioner is blowing out warm air. The AC compressor allows the a... What is a ductless mini-split air conditioner? A ductless mini-split air conditioner, often called a "mini-split AC," provides cool air through an outdoor compressor and condenser joined to multiple ind... What are some types of kerosene heaters that can be bought at Home Depot? What is a waste oil burner? How do you repair a baseboard heater's thermostat?

What is a gas pack? How reliable are refurbished hot water heaters? Is a Harman pellet boiler eco-friendly?So much has changed in the world of air conditioning in recent years that if your system has almost any significant breakdown — or if it’s just not keeping you as cool as it used to — it may be worth replacing it instead of repairing it.As of 2010, for example, manufacturers must use a new kind of refrigerant that’s not an ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon. And a new system can use less than half the electricity of your old one while doing a far better job of keeping you cool and comfortable.If your air conditioner is more than eight years old, repair is probably not worth the expense, unless it’s a simple problem like debris clogging the condenser unit or a worn fan belt. Still, to best weigh your repair-or-replace decision, ask your contractor to assess not just the condition of your existing equipment, but also the ducts that deliver the cool air and the overall quality of the insulation in your house.

Improving those elements might increase the effectiveness of the system as much or more than installing new machinery.Even if your central air conditioner is just eight to 10 years old, it could suck up to twice the electricity that even a low-end new one would use. That’s because it operates at or below 10 SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is the amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. ac outdoor unit dimensionsUntil 2006, 10 SEER was standard, but these days, the minimum allowed by federal law is 13 SEER. ac power supply schemeThat translates to 30% less electrical consumption and 30% lower cooling bills than equipment installed just a few years ago.free stand air conditioning unitFor an 1,800 square foot house, a new 13 SEER unit will cost $3,000 to $4,000.

You can double your energy savings by jumping up to 16 SEER, which will reduce cooling expenses by 60% over a 10 SEER unit. At $5,000 to $6,000, these super-efficient units are more expensive, but they qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $300 and possibly local incentives, too.“Your installer can run the numbers for you to see whether it’s worth the additional cost,” says Ellis Guiles of TAG Mechanical in Syracuse, New York. “If you’re south of the Mason Dixon line, certainly, you can make up those dollars pretty quickly.”You could upgrade to the highest efficiency gear available and still not feel comfortably cool on hot days. That’s because the mechanicals are only part of the central air system. The average house’s ductwork leaks 10% to 30% of its air before it can reach your living space, according to Pacific Gas & Electric. Before deciding whether to repair or replace your condenser and blower units, your technician should run a duct-leakage test, by sealing the vents and measuring how much air escapes the system. 

If the ducts are inefficient, he can locate and seal the gaps, typically for $25 to $35 per vent (per “run” in industry jargon), or replace the ductwork entirely with new, insulated pipe for around $100 per run, according to Guiles. Your technician may recommend doing the duct improvements in conjunction with replacement of the mechanicals or may recommend only one or the other job.Related: Do You Really Need to Clean Your Air Ducts?If your house is poorly insulated, it’s putting a strain on your aging air conditioner. Resolving the house’s flaws may mean that your old system will have enough cooling power to continue to do the job for a few more years. Or it may enable you to buy a smaller replacement system, lowering your upfront and ongoing energy costs significantly. Your heating and cooling contractor should assess and, if necessary, upgrade the building envelope. For example, he might seal gaps and cracks in the outer walls and attic floor, or he might blow insulation into the walls, either of which could knock as much as 30% off your heating and cooling costs.

Insulation also may get you a $500 federal tax credit, and in some cases, it may be a more effective solution to your cooling problems than replacing your equipment.If you decide to replace, make sure the contractor’s bid includes a load calculation, which is a computer printout showing how big a system you need and why. Air conditioning is measured by the ton, which is the cooling power of a one-ton block of ice melting in 24 hours. Some old-school installers use a ballpark estimate for sizing equipment—say, one ton for every 400 or 600 square feet of living space. But that typically leads to systems that are too big, according to Greg Gill of Action Air Conditioning and Heating in San Marcos, Calif. Not only do oversized systems cost more, but they also do their cooling work too quickly, which means more frequent on/off cycles, wearing out components and gobbling electricity. Plus, they don’t have a chance to effectively dehumidify the air. Good contractors use load-calculating software that factors in such data as the number of windows in your house, the thickness of insulation, the configuration of the attic, and the building’s orientation to the sun.