How Much Does a Central HVAC AC Compressor Replacement Cost?

Central Air Compressor Replacement Cost Range

AC or heat pump compressor replacement generally includes; Removal and installation of the new ac compressor, all supplies like the capacitor, hard start if needed and refrigerant cost, as well as clean up and disposal of the old compressor.

Replaced By	Typical Cost Range	National Average
DIY (Do It Yourself)	$560 to $1,120	$840
Certified HVAC Technician	$1,300 to $2,480	$1,890
Licensed HVAC Company	$1,610 to $3,250	$2,430

DIY (Do It Yourself)

DIY cost covers the compressor unit only and is only advisable for those with HVAC knowledge and certifications, or if you know a licensed tech who can inspect your work before starting it up. Risks include potential for incorrect installation and the possibility that you’ll void your warranty on the new compressor.

Certified HVAC Technician

Hiring a certified HVAC tech to handle the replacement often includes labor, the central HVAC compressor, line drier, a capacitor if needed (usually, it is) as well as any extra refrigerant that may be needed. This ensures professional installation, compliance with local regulation around handling of refrigerant and often comes with a service and parts warranty.

Licensed HVAC Company

When you hire a local, licensed HVAC company you are getting the utmost of a professional installation, and the peace of mind they will be there for you in a couple years if it breaks down again. This includes an OEM compressor, filter drier, capacitor and contactor, removal and installation, vacuum of refrigerant lines, as well as extended warranties or service plans.

Home Central AC Compressor Replacement

One of the integral parts of your central air conditioning system, is the ac compressor. The HVAC compressor is located in the outdoor condensing unit, and when it fails your house will not cool off. Replacing the compressor is a big project as far as hvac repairs are considered, and if your system is no longer under warranty or over 8 years old, you should also compare the cost a complete ac and coil replacement or just the evaporator coil as well, to see if it makes more sense to replace, versus repairing only your home ac compressor. Click here to use our cost calculator for AC units, furnaces or air handlers.

Note: Many central ac and heat pumps use the same type of compressor. This page applies to both central air and heat pump HVAC compressor replacement costs.

On this page of Costimates.com, we’ll help you learn about the installation and replacement cost of a home hvac ac compressor. We’ll spell out how your home or product warranty could affect how much you pay, as well as informing you on whether to pay for the compressor repair, or replace the complete ac system. At the end of the page you can compare compressor replacement costs from other leading websites, and review what other homeowners like yourself have paid for their own repairs.

Home AC Compressor Cost Factors

The cost of a replacement compressor for your home AC system is going to depend on a few factors. Most important, is whether or not the compressor is still covered under the manufacturer warranty, since the parts cost and labor are really are you’ll be paying for.

Type of Compressor

There are various types of HVAC compressors installed in residential systems. Reciprocating, scroll, screw, and rotary are the most common, with some being more efficient and thus more expensive.

Compressor Size or Capacity

The cost varies with the compressor’s size, often measured in tons or BTUs, as larger compressors have higher capacities and costs.

System Brand and Quality

Higher end brands like Trane, Carrier, American Standard or Lennox are known for long term durability and efficiency, and when OEM parts are used they may have higher prices, impacting the overall compressor replacement cost.

Refrigerant Type

The type of refrigerant (e.g., R-22 vs. R-410A) can affect the cost, especially if a refrigerant retrofit is required.

Local Labor Costs

Labor costs vary by city, state and region, installation complexity, and if the system needs modifications to bring it up to code. This may impact total costs.

Unit Accessibility

Hard-to-reach units like those on a roof or in a crawl space, attic etc, may lead to higher labor costs due to additional time and effort required by the HVAC technician.

System Warranty

If your system is still covered by the manufacturers warranty, they may cover the cost of the compressor and parts. They will not generally cover the labor expense and you’ll pay labor costs.

Season and Demand

Costs are generally higher during peak cooling season due to increased demand for HVAC technicians. While you may not have the luxury of waiting until the off-season to replace your compressor, it could save you money on labor and installation costs.

Additional Parts and Repairs

It’s common and may be required that you replace additional parts, such as capacitors, refrigerant or filter driers. These parts may add to your overall cost.

Urgency of Replacement

Replacement or services that are provided after normal hours or on weekends can incur higher costs due to the expedited nature of the service.

Cost of AC Compressor and Installation Supplies

While this page focuses primarily on central AC compressors, we’re including other types for the sake of comparison costs. This includes mini split systems, window ac units, and of course central AC systems and heat pumps.

Replacement Cost by Type of AC System

System Type	Compressor Cost	Installed Cost
Central Air Conditioner	$600 – $1,200	$1,800 – $3,500
Heat Pump	$700 – $1,300	$2,500 – $7,500
Ductless Mini-Split	$800 – $2,500	$2,000 – $8,000
Window Air Conditioner	$100 – $400	$150 – $700
Portable Air Conditioner	$100 – $300	$200 – $600
Packaged Terminal (PTAC)	$500 – $1,000	$700 – $1,500

Central Air Conditioner

A central HVAC system that cools the entire house with the use of an air handler or furnace and uses a network of ducts to distribute cooled air.

Heat Pump

Similar to a Central AC Unit, a Heat Pump system provides both heating and cooling for a home, transferring heat between the indoors and outdoors and commonly distributed via an HVAC duct system.

Ductless Mini-Split

Provides heating and cooling without the need for ductwork and is suitable for room additions or homes without existing ducts. New ductless mini split systems are able to be installed much easier by a do-it-yourself homeowner.

Window Air Conditioner

A compact unit installed in a window to cool a single room or area. Commonly available in sizes from 2,500 btu up to 18,000 btu which are designed to cool up to 1,000 square feet.

Portable Air Conditioner

A mobile unit that can be easily moved from room to room, venting through a window or a vent port built in to the side of a structure.

Packaged Terminal (PTAC)

Often found in commercial settings, hotels or apartments, these units are installed through a wall and serve individual rooms.

Compressor Replacement Costs by Brand

The brand name on the side of your central air conditioner has an effect on the cost of replacing your compressor. While most manufacturers use similar parts, not all are the same. Higher quality brand simple cost a bit more.

The average installed cost below includes the compressor parts, replacement refrigerant (if not reclaimed) and all labor and disposal fees.

Unit Brand	Compressor Only	Installed Cost Range
Amana / Goodman	$490 – $1,390	$1,145 – $2,850
Carrier / Bryant / Heil	$640 – $1,200	$1,110 – $2,950
Lennox	$620 – $1,350	$1,230 – $2,850
Rheem / Ruud	$510 – $1,160	$1,020 – $2,650
Trane / American Standard	$590 – $1,420	$1,000 – $3,150
Whirlpool / Gibson	$640 – $1,375	$1,190 – $3,120
York / Coleman	$575 – $1,090	$975 – $2,650

Replacement Costs by Compressor Size

Next to the brands above, the size (measured in “tons) of the compressor in your central AC or heat pump unit is going to have an effect on the price you pay for replacement or repair. In basic terms, the bigger the AC compressor, the more it’s going to cost.

The average compressor replacement costs below include parts, refrigerant (if not reclaimed), installation labor and disposal fees.

Size	Compressor Cost	Installed Cost Range
1.5 Ton (18,000 BTU)	$420 – $650	$1,220 – $3,150
2 Ton (24,000 BTU)	$500 – $720	$1,300 – $3,650
2.5 Ton (30,000 BTU)	$630 – $810	$1,445 – $3,950
3 Ton (36,000 BTU)	$690 – $1,080	$1,610 – $4,450
3.5 Ton (36,000 BTU)	$740 – $1,160	$1,710 – $4,850
4 Ton (48,000 BTU)	$830 – $1,260	$1,770 – $4,950
5 Ton (60,000 BTU)	$910 – $1,430	$2,210 – $5,250

Cost of Parts and Installation Supplies

Along with the home AC compressor itself, there may be additional supplies needed. In many cases, these additional supplies are not covered by warranty, even if the compressor itself, is covered.

Part Name	Cost Range
Accumulator	$50 – $150
Capacitor(s)	$10 – $50
Compressor	$600 – $1,200
Condenser Coil	$250 – $500
Contactor	$30 – $60
Dryer or Filter Drier	$20 – $50
Evaporator Coil	$200 – $400
Expansion Valve	$50 – $150
Refrigerant	$100 – $300
Soldering Supplies	$20 – $100
System Flush	$100 – $150

Accumulator – $50 – $150

Stores excess liquid refrigerant in systems with an orifice tube, protecting the compressor.

Capacitor(s) – $10 – $50

Start and run capacitors provide the necessary energy for the compressor and motors, often replaced alongside the compressor.

Compressor – $600 – $1,200

The main component being replaced, responsible for pressurizing and circulating refrigerant.

Condenser Coil – $250 – $500

Exchanges heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. May be replaced if damaged or corroded.

Contactor – $30 – $60

An electrical switch controlling power to the HVAC components, replaced due to wear or damage.

Dryer or Filter Drier – $20 – $50

Absorbs moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant to protect the system.

Evaporator Coil – $200 – $400

Absorbs heat from indoor air. May need replacement if found to be inefficient or damaged.

Expansion Valve – $50 – $150

Regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, adjusting cooling based on demand.

Refrigerant – $100 – $300

The cooling medium circulated within the system, often replaced during compressor installation to ensure efficiency and compatibility.

Soldering Supplies – $20 – $100

Used for securing and sealing refrigerant lines during installation.

System Flush – $100 – $150

Cleans out the system of debris or contaminants before installing the new compressor.

Permits, Inspection, Installation Labor Costs and Time

Not all states require permits and/or inspections for repair of HVAC units like this. If they are required, your HVAC contractor will let you know and schedule according to your availability.

• $0  | Mechanical and Other Inspections
  Since this is a part repair, versus complete system change-out, you are not likely to need a permit or inspection for replacing your home compressor.

Home AC Compressor Installation Labor Cost and Time

Even when a compressor is covered through your manufacturer warranty, its rare for them to cover the labor cost of an HVAC technician labor and/or diagnostic fees, unless it occurs within the first year of ownership. You can expect to pay an average of $830 in labor costs, or somewhere between $420 – $1,400 in labor cost to replace the ac compressor at your house.

• $830 | Average Labor Cost for an HVAC company to replace your air conditioner compressor.
• $59 – $129 | Service and diagnostic fee to determine compressor was bad. (May be credited back to you after repair)
• $60 – $90 per-hour | Service Technician Labor Fee
• $60 – $75 per-hour | Service Helper Labor Fee

Completed Installation Time

In most cases, an HVAC repair technician can determine that a compressor is faulty within the first hour of a service call. While some might carry an assortment of 3-5 replacement compressors on their parts truck, many will need to go to a parts supply house to get a specific replacement for your home ac unit. If the compressor is covered by warranty, the part must come from an approved manufacturer supply house.

• 2-4 hours | Diagnose, repair with part already on service truck.
• 4-6 hours | Diagnose and have replacement compressor delivered from the repair company parts runner.
• 6 hours or more | In cases where it takes the service technician longer than 6 hours of labor to complete your repair. It’s likely that they had to run to the parts house themselves, removed and replaced broken compressor, etc.

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DIY or Hire a Pro

In 90% of cases, this is a repair job you’ll have to hire an HVAC professional to do for you. If the unit is under warranty, a licensed HVAC service company may be required to perform the repair for you in order to handle the warranty paperwork and return the parts. While a DIY’er might be able to handle some of this job, there is simply too many tools and procedures that a handy homeowner is not going to be be prepared for.

• Requires refrigerant certification. (And refrigerant)
• Requires trade-specific tools and skills. (vacuum pump, high temp torch, brazing, etc)
• Must be able to process warranty claims when applicable.

I consider myself an 8/10 on the handyman scale, and I would hire a pro to do this job every time.