Upgrades of the compressor are not possible. Your AC requires the same type of compressor it was manufactured with. They are single-stage ($$), two-stage ($$-$$$) and variable-capacity ($$$$). Type of compressor: Compressors are available in three performance levels.Warranty coverage: If the compressor is still under warranty, the part will be provided at no cost.Where your heat pump or AC compressor replacement costs fall on these ranges depends on these factors. Note: Compressors are also priced by the BTUs of heat they can move per hour. Compressor problems mean limited or no cooling at all. The refrigerant cycles outside where it sheds heat in the condenser coil located in your AC. The refrigerant picks up heat inside your home, in the evaporator coil in or connected to your furnace. The compressor is the part responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. That’s why we list parts and labor separately in the table below before giving a total installed costįor more info, you can read our HVAC Warranty Ultimate Guide For Homeowners. That fact must be considered when deciding whether to repair or replace the AC, a topic addressed in detail below.
If labor isn’t covered, you will pay the labor cost of removing the old compressor and installing the new one. See why in the section on warranties in our Trane vs. By the way, we don’t recommend buying an extended warranty. Labor to replace the part probably won’t be covered if your unit is more than two years old and there is no extended warranty on it. If the compressor fails, the entire outdoor unit, called a condensing unit, will be replaced.
Heil, Tempstar and other ICP brands, Rheem, Ruud and a few other brands cover the compressor with a complete unit replacement guarantee.
This AC compressor repair cost guide has all the details plus our pro recommendations for air conditioner repair vs. However, repair might be the answer if the AC is less than 10 years old and if the unit is under warranty. Like the old joke about what time it is if an elephant sits on your fence, we could ask, “What time is it when your AC compressor fails?” It might be time to get a completely new AC/heat pump unit, not just a replacement compressor.