When to repair
The repair comes in under about a third of a new system's price and the unit still has years left — a furnace under 15, a boiler under 25, an AC under 12. Small parts and tune-ups almost always fall here.
Cost guide · Updated July 2026
How much does HVAC repair cost?
By the HVAC Service Call editorial team · Ranges cross-referenced from published 2026 cost data
Most HVAC repairs cost $130–$2,000, averaging around $350, before any after-hours premium. What you pay depends mostly on your system — refrigerant systems run higher than forced-air heat. Know your system? Jump to its itemized page below.
AVERAGE
~$350, in a $130–$2,000 range across systems.
SERVICE CALL
$100–$250 for the diagnostic, often credited toward the repair.
THE DIVIDE
Refrigerant systems run higher than forced-air heat.
01 · At a glance
The numbers, at a glance
Most HVAC repairs land between $130 and $2,000, averaging around $350. The service call is $100–$250, and emergency work adds $40–$80 an hour.
~$350Average repair
$130–$2,000Typical range
$100–$250Service call
+$40–$80/hrEmergency add
02 · The comparison
Repair cost by system type
The system you have is the biggest driver of the bill — refrigerant systems run higher than forced-air heat. Each links to that system's itemized cost or repair page.
| System | Typical range | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning | $450–$2,000 | Refrigerant work and a costly compressor push the top end up |
| Furnace | $130–$1,200 | Mostly mechanical and electrical parts — cheaper on average than refrigerant systems |
| Heat pump | $200–$2,000 | Year-round wear plus the reversing valve widen the range |
| Mini split | $300–$550 | Small parts are cheap; an inverter board is the outlier |
| Boiler | $150–$1,000 | Pressure and pump fixes are modest; a heat exchanger is not |
| Packaged unit | $450–$550 | Rooftop and all-in-one units share AC-style parts |
03 · Where the money goes
The universal bill stack and shared parts
Whatever the system, a repair bill stacks the same way — a service call, labour, the part, and any inspection. And several parts cost about the same across systems, because they're the same component.
| In the bill | Amount |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $100–$250 |
| Labour | $100–$250/hr or flat-rate |
| Part (at contractor price) | varies |
| Optional inspection | $80–$450 |
| Shared part | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Drain line clear | $75–$200 |
| Tune-up | $70–$200 |
| Capacitor | $100–$250 |
| Refrigerant recharge | $100–$500 |
| Thermostat | $150–$350 |
| Fan / blower motor | $100–$700 |
| Circuit board | $100–$600 |
| Refrigerant leak repair | $250–$1,500 |
| Ductwork repair | $500–$2,000 |
| Coils | $600–$2,400 |
| Compressor | $800–$3,000 |
Location and the extras
Metro labour rates swing an identical repair by up to 40%, and the costs around the repair — a maintenance contract, an after-hours premium, a permit when refrigerant or electrical work needs one — sit on top. The fee mechanics are on service-call cost.
04 · The bigger decision ✓ ✕
Repair or replace?
A repair past the two-thirds mark of a system's lifespan is where the replace question gets serious — and a major part like a compressor or heat exchanger usually settles it.
When to replace
The repair tops half the replacement price, the system is past two-thirds of its lifespan, or a compressor or heat exchanger has failed. At that point the money is better spent on a new system.
Full framework, with the age bands, on repair or replace.
Don't overpay
Get a written second opinion on anything over $1,000, ask for an itemised quote, and avoid the emergency premium if the repair can safely wait for a weekday. The full framework is on repair or replace, and new-system pricing on new system cost.
Coverage check
Want a real number for your repair?
Enter your ZIP and we'll route your call to a licensed local contractor who quotes before any work. Calling is free.
Licensed contractors serve . One call routes you to one for .
☏ Call (888) 810-2291Availability is subject to provider participation, location, technician availability, and demand.
05 · Questions
Common questions
How long does each HVAC system last?
Typical lifespans: a furnace 15–30 years, a boiler 20–35, a central AC 12–20, and a heat pump 10–20 (shorter because it runs in both seasons). A repair past the two-thirds mark of that lifespan is where the replace question gets serious.
How much does it cost to repair ductwork?
Duct repairs run roughly $500–$2,000 depending on access and the extent of leaks or damage. Sealing leaky ducts often pays for itself in lower bills, while a full replacement is a larger, replacement-scale job.
Is a repair worth it on a 15-year-old system?
It depends on the cost. Under about a third of a new system's price, repair. Over half, or with a major part like a compressor or heat exchanger failing, replacement is usually the better math. Our repair-or-replace guide has the full framework.
Do maintenance contracts preserve my warranty?
Often, yes — many manufacturers require documented annual maintenance to keep the parts warranty valid, and labor is usually still owed. A contract's real value is whether the priority service and discounts outweigh the annual fee for you.
Are HVAC repair prices negotiable?
The diagnostic fee rarely is, but on larger repairs a written second opinion over $1,000 is fair game and gives you leverage. Ask for an itemized quote — that alone surfaces most of the room to negotiate.
Ready for a quote?
One call routes you to a licensed local contractor who quotes the repair before any work.
(888) 810-2291 ☏ Call nowCalling is free. We connect you to a licensed local contractor; you settle with them directly. Actual prices come from the contractor after they see the system.