Home › AC Refrigerant › Leak repair cost
“Refrigerant leak repair” covers a range from a couple of hundred dollars to a number that changes whether you keep the system. Where the leak is matters far more than anything else.
Cost by component
| Repair | Typical range | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Schrader valve / valve core replacement | $150–$400 | Among the cheapest real leak repairs. A leaking valve core is common and genuinely fixable. |
| Line-set leak repair (accessible braze) | $200–$1,000 | Cost depends heavily on whether the line set is accessible or buried in a wall or slab. |
| Evaporator coil replacement | $600–$2,900 | The repair that most often flips the repair-versus-replace decision. Check warranty first: coils frequently carry a 10-year parts warranty, which changes the number a lot. |
| Condenser coil repair or replacement | $600–$2,500 | Varies with access and parts. |
| Compressor replacement | $1,200–$4,000 | On an older system this is usually the point to price a replacement before approving. |
Collected 2026-08-31. Market-survey aggregate. Add refrigerant, recovery, and leak detection on top — these are the repair lines only.
Before you compare quotes: check the warranty
Evaporator coils frequently carry a 10-year parts warranty. On the single most expensive common leak repair, that one question moves the number more than any negotiation. Ask the contractor to look up the serial number before you do anything else.
What gets added on top
- Diagnostic — $70 to $200, often credited if you proceed.
- Leak detection — $100 to $330. Real separate labor.
- Recovery and evacuation — $100 to $300. Required whenever the system is opened.
- Refrigerant — depends on type and quantity. Cost per pound.
When the repair stops being worth it
Roughly: when the repair approaches a third of replacement cost on a system past about twelve years, when the leaking component is a coil or compressor outside warranty, or when it is an R-22 system facing a large recharge on top of the repair.
Work through it with your own numbers →
Related: Where leaks happen · Check your quote · AC repair vs replace
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix an AC refrigerant leak?
From about $150 for a Schrader valve core to $2,500 or more for an evaporator coil replacement, plus diagnostic, leak detection, recovery, and refrigerant. Where the leak is matters more than anything else.
Is an evaporator coil replacement worth it?
Check warranty first — coils frequently carry a 10-year parts warranty, which changes the quote substantially. After that, compare against system age and replacement cost. On a young system usually yes; on a 16-year-old R-22 system usually not.
Why is leak detection billed separately from the diagnostic?
They are different work. The diagnostic determines the system is low; the leak search finds where it went, using an electronic detector, UV dye, or a nitrogen pressure test. Charging for both is normal. Charging for a leak search that was not performed is not.
Sources & verification
✓ Verified against a manufacturer, regulator, or standards source
- EPA, “Homeowners and Consumers: Frequently Asked Questions” (HCFC phaseout) — epa.gov
⚠ Provisional — market-survey estimate, not a manufacturer or regulator citation
- Cost ranges are aggregated from HVAC cost-guide market surveys, collected 2026-08-31. They are not manufacturer or regulator figures, and regional pricing varies widely.
Last reviewed 2026-08-31. How we verify what we publish →
