Inevitably, there will come a time that your air conditioner breaks down and needs to be repaired. When this occurs, it can be extremely frustrating to work with service technicians to determine the problem and get it solved without breaking the bank. Fortunately for those in the Kansas City Metro Area, Cates Heating and Cooling is dedicated to providing these services at the best possible prices for our customers. Here are a few of the most common air conditioner repairs and the expenses associated with them.

REFRIGERANT LEAKS

Coolant leaking out of your air conditioner will definitely cause problems for your unit. Your air conditioner will stop keeping your home as cool as the thermostat is set for, and you are likely to notice some discomfort. The location and intensity of the leak will both be determining factors for how much a repair will cost you.

The cost associated with repairing refrigerant leaks varies greatly. For minor repairs, you could be looking at about $200. However, more extensive repairs could cost nearly $1,500.

COMPRESSOR PROBLEMS

The compressor in your air conditioning unit is responsible for propelling the refrigerant through the coils in the unit to carry out the heat exchange process. When the compressor is out of commission, your air conditioner can’t cool your home. Additionally, if there isn’t enough refrigerant in your system, the compressor will get too hot and seize up. Too much refrigerant can also return to the compress and cause problems.

To have your compressor replaced, you are looking at a cost between $1,350 and $2,300. For minor repairs, you might be able to get away with a less expensive option.

DIRTY FILTER

Air filters are one of the main causes of HVAC issues. Fortunately, in most cases, cleaning or replacing the air filter is an easy task. Most manufacturers will recommend that filters are changed out once a month or once every three months. Reusable filters are also an option, but they will need to be cleaned to prevent problems with your AC unit. You know that your filter needs to be cleaned or replaced when you can’t see the light passing through the filter.

Dirty filters can restrict air flow, cause freezing, and cause a bunch of other problems when not switched out frequently enough.

If the air filter is the only problem with your HVAC unit, a Cates Heating and Cooling technician will replace your air filter for just the cost of the service fee, which is $98, and the cost of the filter if you don’t already have one.

THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT

Sometimes, the problem is as simple as needing to replace your thermostat. In most cases, repairs aren’t the answer to thermostat problems, and instead, you will just need to replace the entire device. Fortunately, there are a lot of different thermostat options with a lot of different price points. Lower end thermostats tend to be in the $100 range, while the fancier thermostats with more functionality options can be closer to $500 or more.

If you start to experience problems with any of these pieces of equipment, you should reach out to an HVAC service technician right away. Cates Heating and Cooling’s expert technicians can diagnose and repair or replace any necessary parts in your air conditioner to make sure that you and your family are comfortable in your house no matter how hot it is outside. If you are having a lot of problems with your AC, you may also want to start considering whether you should keep making repairs or replace your air conditioner. Give us a call today at 816-944-1844 to make an appointment.