Why Is Air Conditioning Repair Expensive?

Homeowners spend an average of $350 when repairing their air conditioning system, which is slightly expensive. A common question consumers ask is why air conditioning repair is expensive.

Different factors influence the total repair costs, so it is always recommended to ask for quotes from different companies. Here are various factors that can help explain why air conditioning repairs can be costly.

Technological Advancement

New technology in the market will cost more to introduce. For example, most air conditioning units use R-22 refrigerant. Thanks to technological advancement, R-22 is being phased out and replaced with 410a. The change in the refrigerant is because the R-22 contains hydrochlorofluorocarbon, which damages the ozone layer, while the 410a contains less harmful chemicals. 

With the switch from R-22 to 410a, repairing the air conditioning unit has become more costly. Therefore, if you notice a leak with your current system that runs on R-22, repairing it will cost more, especially when the refrigerant replacing it is 410a.

Licensing and Warranty

When seeking out a technician or company to help with your air conditioning repair, it is always essential to choose a licensed professional. Licensing regulates the technicians and ensures their professional standards are acceptable. 

Unfortunately, licensing is costly since the technician needs to continuously go for training to learn to keep up with the changing technological trends. Thus, the services of the technician will cost more than those of an unlicensed HVAC contractor.

During the repair, if your unit needs replacement, these replacements may come with a warranty. There are different types of warranties. It can be a warranty on the spare parts or a warranty by the servicing company on their work.

If your service provider offers a warranty, you can be sure they will offer the best services to prevent incurring losses. Thus, the top-notch services you get and the service warranty will also be added to the repair cost.

Demanding Working Environment

Where is your air conditioning unit located? HVAC contractors work in a demanding environment. During repairs, the technician will need to assess the unit to assess if it has any problems.

A unit stored behind the walls will need the technician to do extra work to assess it. On the other hand, a unit stored in the attic is located in an extremely high-temperature area, exposing the technicians to a strenuous working environment.

Final Verdict

Having discussed some factors which determine your air conditioning repair costs, the truth is, the repair may not be as costly as you think. Considering the professional services and warranty you will be receiving, the price is quite fair. In most cases, the repair is expensive because of the high-quality services and replacement parts you will be receiving.

Contact an AC repair service in your area for more information.