Ever wondered how much does it cost to repair an AC in San Antonio? Shafer Services has answers to this question and more!
The cost to repair an AC in San Antonio ranges from $150 – $2,500+, with most homeowners paying around $300-$400.
Your repair cost will depend on these factors:
- What needs to be repaired
- Whether or not your AC warranty covers the repair
- The contractor you hire
Need an AC repair right now?
Give us a call at (210) 227-8358 or schedule an appointment online.
Bonus: wondering how much does a new AC cost? Check out our free estimate tool – we can get you a quote on an AC replacement in San Antonio fast!
Cost Factor #1: What Needs to Be Repaired
The AC part that needs repair determines your overall repair cost.
See, when you pay for an AC repair, you’re paying for:
- The cost of the part (if it needs to be replaced)
- The cost of labor to repair/replace the part
To give you a rough estimate of what you could pay, we’ve listed some common AC repairs in Texas and how much they normally cost:
- Capacitor or contactor replacement: $150–$400
- Thermostat replacement (basic/smart): $100-$450
- Fan motor repair/replacement: $300-$1,200
- Evaporator coil replacement: $350–$850
- Repair circuit board: $850-$2,500
Note: The prices listed above also include the cost of labor.
Cost Factor #2: Whether Your AC Warranty Covers the Repair
If your unit is still under warranty, you’ll pay far less in repair costs.
Your AC should have 2 types of warranties:
- Parts Warranty: Most manufacturers cover certain parts (normally the compressor, condenser coil, and evaporator coil) on your AC unit 5–10 years after it’s installed, depending on the manufacturer. If you bought an extended warranty, that should increase your the warranty by at least 5 years.
- Labor Warranty: Most reliable HVAC contractors will include a labor warranty at least 1 year (sometimes up to 5 years) after installing your unit. Many will also include a guarantee on their repair work, so they might discount or remove labor fees to repair/replace the part again.
Unfortunately, manufacturers make it easy to void your limited parts warranty. Your warranty might already be void if: 
- You didn’t register your unit when it was installed.
- Your tech used off-brand replacement parts (instead of parts approved by the manufacturer).
- You didn’t get your unit serviced annually by a certified professional.
- Your air conditioner was improperly installed.
How to Check If Your AC Warranty Is Valid
- Parts: Visit the manufacturer’s website and search for the AC model number to find the limited parts warranty. If you can’t find the warranty, or you bought the extended warranty, contact the manufacturer directly.
- Labor: Contact the HVAC contractor that installed your AC unit.
Cost Factor #3: The Contractor You Hire
The contractor you hire to repair your AC determines how much you’ll pay in labor costs.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s how most HVAC contractors charge for their services:
- Service Call Charge: Also called a “trip charge fee” or “diagnostic fee”, this is the fee contractors charge to come to your home and figure out what’s wrong with your AC. This charge can range anywhere from $75 to $200 (we charge $60).
- Hourly Rate: Some contractors charge by the hour for their services, normally between $85 and $200 per hour. The risk with hourly rates is that a contractor could purposely take longer to hike up your repair cost.
- Fixed Rate: If the contractor charges a fixed rate (like we do), this means they charge one flat rate to repair your AC, no matter how long it takes.
Extra Tips that can help:
- If you have a preventative maintenance plan, you may have additional savings and an extended warranty.
- Check for coupons and discounts.
How to Choose a Quality AC Contractor
A contractor isn’t something you want to skimp on.
Why? Well, good contractors do better work. They have the experience and know how to repair your AC correctly, so it will last longer.
So, how do you know what to look for in an HVAC contractor? Make sure they:
- Are licensed and insured
- Have good online reviews (look at Better Business Bureau and Google)
- Give you a written quote, so you know how much you’ll pay beforehand
- Hire local
Need an AC Repair from a San Antonio Pro?
If you’re still wondering, “who’s the best professional for AC repair near me?”, we invite you to check out Shafer Services. Give us a call for all of your service needs for AC Replacement in San Antonio!