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Short version: a refrigerant recharge typically runs $200 to $600 for an R-410A system and considerably more for R-22. But the more useful point is that a recharge on its own is usually the wrong thing to be buying.
Cost by refrigerant
| Refrigerant | Per pound, installed | Typical total job |
|---|---|---|
| R-410A | $50–$80 | $200–$600 |
| R-22 | $150–$300 | $500–$2,000 |
| R-454B | $60–$100 | $250–$700 |
Collected 2026-08-31. Market-survey aggregate, not manufacturer or regulator data. Regional pricing varies widely.
R-22 is the outlier for one reason: no new supply since January 1, 2020. Every pound is reclaimed or pre-2020 stock. More on R-22 pricing.
What the invoice is made of
| Line item | Typical range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic fee | $70–$200 | $125 |
| Leak detection | $100–$330 | $200 |
| R-410A per pound, installed | $50–$80 | $65 |
| R-22 per pound, installed | $150–$300 | $220 |
| R-454B per pound, installed | $60–$100 | $80 |
| R-32 per pound, installed | $50–$90 | $70 |
| Recovery / evacuation | $100–$300 | $175 |
| Schrader valve / valve core replacement | $150–$400 | $250 |
| Line-set leak repair (accessible braze) | $200–$1,000 | $500 |
| Evaporator coil replacement | $600–$2,900 | $1,500 |
| Condenser coil repair or replacement | $600–$2,500 | $1,400 |
| Compressor replacement | $1,200–$4,000 | $2,300 |
Collected 2026-08-31. Aggregated market-survey figures, not manufacturer or regulator data. Regional pricing varies widely, and an emergency or after-hours call legitimately costs more.
Why the recharge is usually not the purchase you want
If your system needed refrigerant, refrigerant left it. Paying to replace it without finding out where it went means paying again next season — and running the system undercharged in between, which is hard on the compressor.
The better purchase is usually a leak search plus a repair. It costs more today and less over two years. What leak repairs actually cost.
Related: Check your quote · Cost per pound · AC repair cost
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to recharge an AC?
Typically $200 to $600 for an R-410A system, and $500 to $2,000 for R-22 because no new R-22 has been produced since 2020. Cost depends on how much is added and whether a leak repair is included.
Why is my AC recharge quote so high?
The most common reasons are R-22 pricing, a large amount of refrigerant being added, or leak detection and repair bundled into the total. Break the quote into line items before judging it — the per-pound figure alone rarely explains the total.
Should I just recharge instead of repairing the leak?
Occasionally, as a deliberate stopgap. As a strategy, no. Refrigerant added to an unrepaired leak leaves again, and two or three top-offs often exceed the cost of finding and fixing the leak once.
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 →
