How much does an AC evaporator coil replacement cost?

AC evaporator coil replacement cost

AC evaporator coil replacement costs $650 to $2,400 if not under warranty or $400 to $1,000 if under warranty for labor and refrigerant. The price to replace an air conditioner coil depends on the AC unit size, brand, location, and cooling coil type.

• Replacing an evaporator coil takes 2 to 4 hours on average.
• HVAC coils last 10 to 15 years.
• The evaporator coil is within the air handler. Replacing an air handler costs $1,500 to $3,400.
• In comparison, installing a new AC unit costs $2,500 to $7,500, depending on the size.

Average cost to replace AC evaporator coil

The following table shows the average cost to replace the evaporator coil in an AC unit.

Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Home evaporator coil cost by tons or size

New AC evaporator coil cost by brand

Labor cost to replace AC evaporator coil

The labor cost to replace an AC evaporator coil is $400 to $1,000, depending on the AC size and location. Labor costs typically increase for AC units in difficult-to-access attics or crawlspaces.

AC evaporator coil vs. condenser coil prices

AC condenser coil replacement costs $900 to $2,300 on average, depending on if the part is still under warranty.

• The evaporator and condenser coils must match in ton size and SEER. Mismatched coils will force the system to run for longer periods, reducing efficiency and causing added stress on other parts.
• The evaporator coil and condenser coil typically have the same lifespan. If one fails, the other is likely to fail shortly after.

What is the difference between a condenser coil and an evaporator coil?

The evaporator coil is located inside the home and is called the indoor coil. The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit and is called the outside coil.

• The evaporator coil extracts heat and moisture from the indoor air and transfers it to the refrigerant inside the coil. The heated refrigerant gas travels to the outdoor unit.
• The condenser coil disperses the heat outdoors before the refrigerant returns to the indoor unit with assistance from the compressor.

Air conditioner coil leak repair cost

AC leak repair costs $200 to $1,500, depending on the location, severity, and parts need replacing. Freon leaks in the evaporator coil and condenser coil cost the most to repair and typically require new parts, while water leaks in the drain line are the cheapest to fix.

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Should I replace the evaporator coil or the whole AC unit?

Replacing an AC unit costs $2,500 to $7,500, depending on the size. Consider replacing the whole AC unit instead of the evaporator coil if:

• The AC is more than 10 years old.
• The system uses R-22 freon.
• The repair cost is at least 50% of the cost of a new AC.
• The repair cost multiplied by the system's age in years exceeds $5,000.

Cooling or heat pump evaporator coil replacement cost factors

The following factors have the biggest impact on the cost to replace an AC evaporator coil:

• Unit size – The evaporator coil must match the AC system's size in tons and SEER, and coil prices increase with size.
• Brand – Top brands like Carrier, Lennox, and Rheem typically cost more to replace.
• Warranty – Replacement prices are 40% to 60% less if the part is still under warranty.
• Labor – AC services charge $75 to $150 per hour.
• Location / accessibility – Labor costs increase for AC systems that are difficult to access.
• Configuration – Modifications may be required if the new coil is not the same shape and configuration as the existing coil.
• Recharging the refrigerant costs $100 to $320 for R-410A or $180 to $600 for R-22 Freon. The AC unit typically requires a recharge when replacing the evaporator coil.

HVAC coil replacement cost by type

• A-coils feature two slab fins arranged in an A-shape like a tent and are the most common style used in homes.
• N-coils have three slab fins arranged in an N-shape. N-coils are more efficient due to the extra fin but cost 15% to 25% more than A-coils.
• Slab coils are arranged in a straight horizontal line and are less common due to their lower efficiency.

Cased vs. uncased evaporator coil prices

Evaporator coils come in cased and uncased models. Cased coils cost 20% to 50% more than uncased coils.

Additional costs to install new evaporator coil

Replacing the evaporator coil may incur additional AC repair costs:

• Replacing the copper line set costs $200 to $650.
• Flushing the condensate drain line costs $75 to $250.
• Replacing the drain pan costs $200 to $600.
• Replacing duct wrap insulation costs $1 to $8 per square foot.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an AC evaporator coil?

An AC evaporator coil extracts heat and moisture from the indoor air. As warm air passes over the coils, the refrigerant inside absorbs the heat and carries it outdoors. Refrigerant circulates through the coils continuously to remove heat until the home reaches the desired indoor temperature.

How long does it take to replace an evaporator coil?

Replacing an evaporator coil takes 2 to 4 hours on average, depending on accessibility. Replacement may take up to 5 to 10 hours for attic and crawlspace units that are difficult to access.

How long should an air conditioner coil last?

Air conditioner coils last 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance. The evaporator coil erodes, weakens, and becomes up to 30% less efficient over time. AC coil cleaning costs $75 to $400 and can extend the coil's lifespan to 20 years.

What are the signs of a bad evaporator coil?

Signs of a bad AC evaporator coil include:

• Warm air coming from the vents
• Air conditioner starts and stops frequently but doesn't cool the home
• Frost or ice on the evaporator coil
• Leaking near the indoor components
• Hissing, banging, or other unusual sounds from the AC unit
• AC system does not turn on at all
• Refrigerant leaks
• A buildup of soot and dust that's blocking airflow

Where is the evaporator coil located?

The evaporator coil is located beneath the blower fan inside the air handler or attached to the furnace in an HVAC system.

Are AC coils covered under warranty?

Most AC coils are covered under a 5 to 10 year limited parts warranty. Labor makes up 40% to 60% of the repair cost and typically is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

What is the difference between an evaporator coil and an evaporative cooler?

An evaporator coil in an AC unit should not be confused with an evaporative cooler, also called a swamp cooler. A swamp cooler costs $1,200 to $3,600 and uses a fan to move warm, dry air over wet evaporative cooler pads to reduce the home's temperature.

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Getting air conditioner coil replacement cost estimates

Before hiring air conditioning repair companies near you, be sure to:

• Get at least three estimates to compare.
• Confirm whether the malfunctioning part is covered under the AC manufacturer's warranty.
• Look for a NATE-certified technician with experience repairing air conditioners.
• Confirm the technician is EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerants.
• Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business longer than five years.
• Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
• Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
• Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead for work completed.

Questions to ask

• How long have you been repairing air conditioners?
• Are you AHRI or NATE certified or ACCA accredited?
• Are you EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerants?
• Do you charge a diagnostic or service call fee? If yes, do you apply that fee to the repair cost if I hire you to perform any repairs?
• Is the evaporator coil covered under warranty?
• Does the estimate include the replacement part and labor?
• What other costs should I expect?
• How long will the repairs take?
• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
• What does your warranty policy include?
• What is your payment schedule?

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