The short version
Most AC repairs run between $100 and $2,300, depending on the part. A capacitor is roughly $100–$400, a refrigerant recharge $100–$350, and a compressor — the expensive one — $800–$2,300. A full system replacement runs about $5,000–$12,500 installed. The real number depends on what actually failed, which is why an honest shop diagnoses the fault before it quotes a price.
Nobody Googles “AC repair cost” for fun. The house is 84 degrees, something is humming that should not be, and you want a number before a van shows up and gives you one. Fair. So here are the real ranges — what these repairs actually cost across the industry, what drives the price up, and where the money tends to disappear.
Two things up front. First, every figure below is a national/industry average — your exact price depends on your system, and Jacksonville tends to track close to these. Second, we do not print a flat price for your job, because an honest quote comes from seeing the system, not a blog post. What we can do is show you where the money goes so you walk into the conversation knowing what is fair.
What common AC repairs cost
Most repair calls come down to a handful of parts. Here is what they run, based on national averages from HomeAdvisor and Trane:
| Repair | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitor replacement | $100–$400 | Most common fix; usually under an hour |
| Refrigerant recharge | $100–$350 | Older R-22 units can hit $600+ |
| Compressor replacement | $800–$2,300 | The big one — often a replace-or-not decision |
| Labor | $75–$150 / hr | Most repairs are 1–4 hours |
One number to flag: a refrigerant recharge is cheap, but if your system needed one, it has a leak — refrigerant runs in a sealed loop and is not consumed. Paying to refill it without fixing the leak just buys you the same repair again in a few weeks. More on that below.
What a new AC system costs
When a repair stops making sense, a new system is the next question. National averages from HomeGuide break down roughly like this:
| System tier | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Standard efficiency | $5,000–$8,300 |
| Mid-range | $8,300–$12,500 |
| High-efficiency | $14,000+ |
For a rough gut check, a new central system runs about $2.90 to $7.20 per square foot. If your ducts need replacing too, add roughly $2,100–$4,000, and permits typically run $100–$250. The single biggest factor in whether the system is worth the money is whether it is sized and installed correctly — see our AC installation page for why sizing matters more than the brand on the box.
What actually drives the price
Two identical-looking jobs can quote hundreds apart. Here is what moves the number:
- The part that failed. A $200 capacitor and a $2,000 compressor are both “the AC is broken” — the diagnosis is the whole ballgame.
- Refrigerant type. Older systems run R-22, which is phased out and expensive. A recharge on an R-410A system is routine; on R-22 it can cost double or more.
- System age and sizing. Putting a major part into an old, oversized, or mis-installed system rarely pays off. The U.S. Department of Energy notes correct sizing and efficiency are what actually lower your running cost.
- Season and demand. A breakdown in the middle of a Jacksonville July, when every shop is slammed, is the most expensive time to need one.
Repair or replace? The honest math
The rule of thumb most techs use: if the repair costs more than about half the price of a new system and the unit is past 10–12 years old, replacement usually wins. A few clear cases where we will tell you to replace instead of repair:
- The system still runs R-22 and needs refrigerant or a sealed-system repair.
- The compressor failed on a unit over roughly 10 years old.
- You are facing your third or fourth repair on the same aging system.
The flip side matters just as much: if you have a sound system that needs a $250 capacitor, nobody should be selling you a $10,000 unit. We give you the math and let you make the call.
How to avoid overpaying
- Pay for a diagnosis, not a guess. The fault should be shown to you, not described vaguely. If a tech cannot point at what is broken, get a second opinion.
- Never let anyone “top off the freon” without finding the leak. A low system is a leaking system. A recharge with no leak repair is money you will spend again.
- Get it in writing. Parts, labor, and the total — before work starts. Watch for vague add-ons like a “chemical fee” that were not in the estimate.
We wrote a whole separate guide on the warning signs — when not to hire an HVAC company — because avoiding the wrong shop saves more than any coupon.
What we charge
We will not print a flat price for your repair here, and you should be skeptical of anyone who does sight-unseen. A real number comes from seeing your system, not a blog. What we promise instead: we diagnose the actual fault, we show you what failed, and we give you the honest repair-or-replace math in writing before any work happens. The estimate is free.
That is how it has worked since 2025. The owner runs every job, there are no subcontractors, and we would rather lose a sale than sell you a repair that buys six months. If your AC is down, start with our air conditioning service or just get in touch.
When to skip the repair entirely
Sometimes the cheapest move is to not spend the money at all. Skip the repair when:
- The problem is a dirty filter, a tripped breaker, or a thermostat on the wrong setting — fixes you can do yourself. Our guide on why an AC stops cooling walks through them.
- The unit is an old R-22 system facing a major repair — put the money toward replacement.
- A tune-up would have prevented the whole thing. A maintenance visit is the cheapest dollar you spend on an AC all year.
Mr Freeze HVAC — straight answers on AC repair and replacement across Duval County, FL.
We diagnose the fault, show you what failed, and put the repair-or-replace math in writing — before any work. The estimate is free.
FAQ
How much does it cost to fix an AC that is not cooling?
It depends on the fault. A capacitor runs about $100–$400, a refrigerant recharge $100–$350, and a compressor $800–$2,300. The only way to know is a diagnosis — which is why a good shop finds the cause before quoting a price.
How much is a capacitor for an AC?
A capacitor replacement typically runs $100–$400 installed, and it is one of the most common AC repairs. The part itself is inexpensive; most of the cost is the service call and labor.
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old AC?
Often not, if the repair is major. The common rule is that if the repair costs more than about half a new system and the unit is past 10–12 years, replacement usually wins — especially on older R-22 systems where refrigerant alone is expensive.
How much does it cost to recharge AC refrigerant?
A recharge runs about $100–$350, and older R-22 units can hit $600 or more. But a system that is low is leaking — refrigerant is not consumed in normal use — so the leak should be found and repaired, not just topped off.
How much does a new AC cost in Jacksonville?
A new central system runs roughly $5,000–$12,500 installed depending on efficiency and size, or about $2.90–$7.20 per square foot. Replacing ductwork adds around $2,100–$4,000. Correct sizing matters more to your comfort and bill than the brand.
Do you charge for an estimate?
No — estimates are free. We diagnose the fault, show you what failed, and give you the repair-or-replace math in writing before any work begins.
Why are AC repairs so expensive in summer?
Demand. A breakdown during a Jacksonville July, when every shop is booked solid, is the most expensive time to need one. A spring tune-up is the cheapest way to avoid a peak-season emergency.