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AC Compressor Replacement Cost Calculator
This free AC compressor replacement cost calculator gives you a planning estimate for replacing a failed compressor in your air conditioner or heat pump. Choose a compressor replacement, a burnout cleanup, a heat pump compressor or a new outdoor condensing unit, then set the system size, compressor type and refrigerant. You will see a cost breakdown with Budget, Standard and Premium project levels in about two minutes.
✓ Free Planning Estimate ✓ Detailed Cost Breakdown ✓ Budget / Standard / Premium
Estimate My AC Compressor Replacement Cost
Calculator number: 080 of 401. Main service: HVAC. Sub-service: AC Compressor Replacement.
Calculator Introduction
Answer a few quick questions about your compressor replacement and the calculator estimates your cost in four steps: Location & Replacement Type, Compressor & Refrigerant, Options and Labor Market & Timing. A ZIP code is required so we can match your request with local licensed professionals. It does not change the price. Only the questions that matter for your project are shown, and every setting has a sensible default, so you can get a first estimate in under a minute and then fine-tune.
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Result Explanation
Your result shows an Estimated Project Budget, which is the Standard estimate, together with a typical range from Budget to Premium.
Budget
Budget assumes a basic compressor and lean labor.
Standard
Standard assumes a mid-grade compressor, quality start parts and refrigerant and a licensed technician at typical rates. This is the best number to plan around.
Premium
Premium assumes a premium compressor, higher-grade parts and premium service.
Below the headline number you will see a category breakdown, a line-item table for all three project levels, and a tip based on your selections. Results update automatically if you change an input after calculating.
Cost Breakdown Explanation
The breakdown only shows categories that apply to your project, so you will not see empty $0 rows.
Materials
The compressor or condensing unit, start capacitor and contactor kit, filter drier and fittings, refrigerant, burnout flush supplies, heat pump valve parts and any extras you select.
Labor
Technician time for the replacement, evacuation and startup, plus the service call and diagnostic fee.
Removal & Disposal
Recovery of the refrigerant and removal of the old compressor or unit, plus disposal of the old equipment and oil.
Equipment & Specialty
A recovery machine, vacuum pump and nitrogen.
Permit / Inspection
An optional allowance only. Real fees are set by your city or county.
Additional Costs
An urgent or after-hours service premium, when selected.
Rebates and finish work are not included.
This calculator provides a planning estimate only. It is not a quote, bid or guaranteed price. Actual contractor pricing may vary based on location, system condition, compressor model, refrigerant type and labor market. On older or R-22 systems, a new system may cost less than it appears here. Permit allowances, rebates and finish work are not included unless selected.
How Much Does AC Compressor Replacement Cost?
AC compressor replacement commonly costs about $2,400 at the Standard level for a 3-ton single-stage scroll compressor on an R-410A system, and about $1,400 to $4,200 across the Budget to Premium range.
Those figures are for a 3-ton single-stage scroll compressor on an R-410A system with easy access and an average labor market. Use the calculator above to price your own combination.
| Replacement | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor replacement | $1,430 | $2,440 | $4,175 |
| Compressor after a burnout | $1,800 | $3,035 | $5,150 |
| Heat pump compressor | $1,640 | $2,790 | $4,770 |
| New outdoor condensing unit | $2,945 | $4,505 | $7,215 |
Change any input and the numbers update, because the calculator prices the compressor, start parts, refrigerant, labor, recovery and equipment separately.
How This AC Compressor Replacement Calculator Works
Answer a few questions and the calculator builds a Budget, Standard and Premium estimate for your job.
Compressor replacement, compressor after a burnout, heat pump compressor, or a new outdoor condensing unit.
Home size sets the approximate system size, and you choose the compressor type, refrigerant and access.
Refrigerant type and access to the outdoor unit both affect the price.
Add a hard-start kit, crankcase heater, surge protector or condenser coil cleaning if you need them.
Choose your local labor market, timing, warranty cover and any permit allowance.
Your ZIP code matches your request with local HVAC contractors. It does not change the price calculation.
What Affects AC Compressor Replacement Costs?
The type of replacement and the system size are the biggest drivers, followed by the compressor type, the refrigerant and whether a burnout cleanup is needed.
Type of replacement
A plain compressor replacement is the lowest-cost option. A burnout adds an acid flush and a suction-line filter, a heat pump compressor costs more than an AC compressor, and a new outdoor condensing unit replaces the whole outdoor unit. For a 3-ton system at Standard, the figures are $2,440, $3,035, $2,790 and $4,505 respectively.
Related calculators: Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost Calculator and Heat Pump Replacement Cost Calculator.
System size
Larger systems need larger compressors. At the Standard level, a 1.5-ton compressor costs about $2,045, a 2-ton about $2,180, a 3-ton about $2,440, a 4-ton about $2,700 and a 5-ton about $2,960. Use the calculator to match the compressor to the size of your system.
Compressor type
A single-stage scroll compressor is the standard, lowest-cost option. A two-stage scroll compressor raises the 3-ton Standard estimate to about $2,890, and a variable-speed inverter compressor raises it to about $3,540. For a new condensing unit, two-stage is about $5,375 and variable-speed about $6,680 at Standard.
Refrigerant type
An R-22 system raises the Standard estimate from about $2,440 to about $4,205. R-22 compressors and refrigerant are costly and hard to find, so on an R-22 system a new system is often a better use of money. Ask for both prices.
Access
Tight outdoor access, such as a narrow gate, stairs or a rooftop, adds labor time. Tight access raises the 3-ton Standard estimate from about $2,440 to about $2,540.
Warranty
Many compressors have a warranty of five to ten years, but it usually covers only the part. If it applies, the part cost is removed, and the Standard estimate falls from about $2,440 to about $1,440. You still pay for labor, refrigerant and the service call.
Options
Optional extras add a fixed amount at each level. A hard-start kit raises the Standard estimate to about $2,630 and a crankcase heater to about $2,680. A surge protector is about $205 and condenser coil cleaning about $155.
Removal and recovery
Refrigerant must be recovered before the old compressor is removed, and the old compressor or unit must be disposed of. Recovery and disposal are included in the calculator, and a burnout also needs an acid flush and a suction-line filter.
Permits
A permit and inspection allowance is optional and adds about $200 at Standard, taking the estimate to about $2,640. Real fees are set by your city or county, so treat this as an allowance only.
Urgency
Urgent work within about 48 hours adds 15% to labor, and emergency or after-hours work adds 40% to labor. Emergency timing raises the Standard estimate from about $2,440 to about $2,740.
Budget vs Standard vs Premium Compressor Replacement
Budget
Budget assumes a basic compressor and lean labor, at about $1,430 for a 3-ton compressor replacement.
Standard
Standard assumes a mid-grade compressor, quality start parts and refrigerant and a licensed technician, at about $2,440. Use Standard as your main planning number.
Premium
Premium assumes a premium compressor, higher-grade parts and premium service, at about $4,175.
Repair vs Replace
It can be worth replacing a compressor on a newer unit that is under warranty. On a unit more than about 10 to 12 years old, or one that uses R-22, a new outdoor unit or a new system is often a better use of money.
Compare: AC Replacement Cost Calculator, AC Repair Cost Calculator and HVAC Replacement Cost Calculator.
Regional Pricing Differences
Choose your labor market in the calculator. The highest-cost market raises the Standard estimate from about $2,440 to about $2,780. Parts and refrigerant are not adjusted for region.
DIY vs Hiring a Licensed HVAC Contractor
Compressor replacement is not a DIY project. It needs refrigerant certification, brazing, evacuation and charging, and electrical work. A poor job can cause another failure and void the warranty, so use a licensed HVAC contractor.
Questions to Ask HVAC Contractors
- How was the compressor confirmed as failed?
- What caused the failure, and how will it be prevented?
- Does the price include the start kit, filter drier, refrigerant and recovery?
- For a burnout, will the system be flushed and fitted with a suction-line filter?
- What is the warranty on the compressor and on labor?
- What would a new outdoor unit or a new system cost?
How to Avoid Unexpected Compressor Costs
- Get a second opinion before approving a compressor replacement.
- Ask for both prices: compressor replacement, new outdoor unit and new system.
- Check your warranty before you pay for a part.
- Keep the outdoor coil clean and change the filter regularly.
- Do not wait for a heat wave to book the work.
Quick Answers
What does an AC compressor do?
The compressor is the heart of an air conditioner or heat pump. It pumps refrigerant through the system and raises its pressure so that the system can move heat out of your home.
What is a compressor burnout?
A burnout is when the electric motor inside the compressor overheats and fails. It can leave acid and debris in the refrigerant lines, and the system must be flushed before a new compressor is installed.
Is it worth replacing an AC compressor?
It can be on a newer unit that is under warranty. On a unit more than about 10 to 12 years old, or one that uses R-22, a new outdoor unit or a new system is often a better use of money.
What is the biggest cost driver?
The type of replacement and the system size are the biggest drivers, followed by the compressor type, the refrigerant and whether a burnout cleanup is needed.
Ready for a Real Quote?
Use your estimate as a planning budget, then request quotes from licensed HVAC contractors using the form below the calculator. Photos of the outdoor unit and its data label, and notes on noises or tripped breakers, help contractors quote accurately.
Request quotes from local HVAC contractors — the lead form sits directly below the calculator. The contractor listing link is still to be confirmed; see the note below the CTA.
AC Compressor Replacement Cost FAQs
How much does AC compressor replacement cost?
In this calculator, a Standard estimate for replacing a 3-ton single-stage scroll compressor on an R-410A system is about $2,440, with a Budget to Premium range of roughly $1,430 to $4,175. The estimate includes a service call, a start kit, a filter drier, a refrigerant recharge and refrigerant recovery.
How much does it cost to replace a compressor after a burnout?
After a compressor burnout, the system must be flushed and fitted with a suction-line filter, or acid will kill the new compressor. At the Standard level, that costs about $3,035 for a 3-ton system.
How much does a heat pump compressor replacement cost?
A heat pump compressor costs about $2,790 at the Standard level for a 3-ton system. The estimate includes a reversing valve and defrost check, and the compressor itself costs more than an AC compressor.
Is it cheaper to replace the whole outdoor unit?
Sometimes. A new outdoor condensing unit costs about $4,505 at the Standard level for a 3-ton system, compared with about $2,440 for a compressor. If the unit is more than about 10 to 12 years old, a new unit can cost little more than a compressor, and it comes with a new warranty.
How much does compressor size and type change the cost?
Size and type both change the price. At the Standard level, a 1.5-ton compressor costs about $2,045, a 4-ton about $2,700 and a 5-ton about $2,960. A two-stage scroll compressor raises the 3-ton estimate to about $2,890, and a variable-speed inverter compressor raises it to about $3,540.
How much does an R-22 compressor cost?
An R-22 system raises the Standard estimate from about $2,440 to about $4,205. R-22 compressors and refrigerant are costly and hard to find, so on an R-22 system a new system is often a better use of money. Ask for both prices.
Does a warranty cover a compressor?
Many compressors have a warranty of five to ten years, but it usually covers only the part. If it applies, the part cost is removed, and the Standard estimate falls from about $2,440 to about $1,440. You still pay for labor, refrigerant and the service call.
What causes a compressor to fail?
Common causes include a lack of refrigerant, a dirty condenser coil, electrical problems such as a failed capacitor, a lack of oil, power surges and age. Ask the technician to find the cause, or the new compressor can fail too.
Related Calculators
Find HVAC contractors near you
Use your estimate as a planning budget, then request quotes from licensed HVAC contractors.
Find HVAC contractors near youInterim link: this button goes to the on-page lead form below the calculator. The MyListing contractor category URL is not yet supplied.
This calculator provides a planning estimate only. It is not a quote, bid or guaranteed price. Actual contractor pricing may vary based on location, system condition, compressor model, refrigerant type and labor market. On older or R-22 systems, a new system may cost less than it appears here. Permit allowances, rebates and finish work are not included unless selected.