Air Conditioner Capacitor Replacement Cost

A close image of an air conditioner capacitor.

A weak air conditioner capacitor can cause your system to consume a lot of electricity, so you end up with bigger energy bills every month. Moreover, a bad capacitor can affect the overall performance of your AC and shorten its lifespan. To protect it from serious damage, you should check your capacitor regularly and replace it when needed. This way, you can save some money on your energy bills and, at the same time, prolong the life of your air conditioning unit.

The cost of replacing an air conditioner capacitor may vary depending on the brand and the features. On average, the cost of replacement ranges from $120 to $150. Branded units can cost a lot more than the generic ones, with some of these prices reaching up to $400. Note that these prices do factor in the cost of professional labor for replacing the part, so some costs can be cut if you have the means to safely and correctly install the capacitor yourself.

The Capacitor Part Cost

Most basic capacitors, for the part alone, can run between $35 and $60, depending on how rare your specific model is; however, less than $40 is fairly standard for most models.

Turbo Capacitor vs. Regular Dual Run Capacitor

Although a regular air conditioning capacitor may cost you less than a turbo capacitor, using the latter is better. A turbo capacitor fits in almost all types of air conditioning system, and since it is designed to run on higher voltages, your unit is protected from voltage fluctuations. Moreover, if your turbo capacitor becomes weak, you can always adjust its capacity and prolong its lifespan.

Location

The region where you live can have a minor impact on the overall cost of replacing a capacitor, usually in relation to labor cost. In highly urban areas or cities in states where the average cost of living is higher, AC technicians can charge more for their services. However, this price fluctuation shouldn’t be very dramatic in most cases.

Additional Repairs

If the capacitor isn’t replaced soon enough, other parts in the unit can become damaged. For instance, the wiring can end up burnt or loose, or your fan motor could also need attention. As a result, your repair costs can go up when the technician replaces the capacitor.

To minimize these extra fixes, always get your capacitor replaced as soon as you’re certain there is a problem. Also, be sure to have a professional conduct regular maintenance and check-ups on your air conditioner so that problems such as these can be caught early.