How Much Does A Home AC Recharge or Freon Refill Cost?

Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost

Air conditioner Freon refill costs $100 to $320 on average for AC units with R410A refrigerant or $180 to $600 for older AC units using R22 Freon. Freon costs $50 to $150 per pound to refill a home AC and $4 to $21 per pound when buying wholesale. A 25lb tank of R410A costs $75 to $200.

*Most central air conditioners need 2 to 4 pounds to recharge the refrigerant. Some HVAC companies have a 3-pound minimum.

AC services may charge a $50 to $130 diagnostic fee, $130 to $300 for Freon leak detection, a $30 to $100 R22 Freon recovery fee, and $50 to $150 per hour for AC repairs.

• All AC units installed after 2009 use R410A refrigerant. Older systems use R22.
• Recharging a home AC takes 1 to 3 hours.
• Freon and refrigerant lasts 10 to 15 years in an AC unit.
• Freon leaks reduce the AC's efficiency, increase running costs, and harm the environment.
• Only EPA Section 608 certified technicians can buy refrigerant.
• "Freon" is a generic term for any coolant used in air conditioning systems.

Home AC Recharge Cost

A home AC Freon recharge costs $225 on average, depending on AC size and refrigerant type. Air conditioning units never need more Freon unless there is a leak, the Freon refill is part of another repair, or the AC unit was not properly charged with refrigerant after installing.

*Based on 155 project costs reported by homeowners.

Related repairs:

• Repairing an air conditioner costs $150 to $600 on average.
• Replacing the AC compressor costs $1,000 to $2,500.
• Replacing the AC evaporator coil costs $700 to $2,300.
• Home AC condenser replacement costs $1,200 to $4,200.

Labor Costs To Add Freon To Home AC

HVAC service costs $50 to $130 for a service call or diagnostic fee, plus $130 to $300 for Freon leak detection. Labor costs $50 to $150 per hour to fix leaks and other repairs.

AC Refrigerant Leak Repair

AC Freon leak repair costs $200 to $1,500 to fix a leak and add several pounds of refrigerant. Locating and repairing leaks prevents Freon from flowing back into the outdoor condenser and damaging the compressor. Prices depend on the severity of the leak and the testing method.

Freon Removal & Recovery Fee

Some HVAC contractors charge a Freon recovery fee of $30 to $100 to remove and dispose of R22 Freon, as mandated by law. Although, most HVAC companies include Freon removal and disposal in their refill or repair cost.

Home AC Freon Replacement Cost

A complete Freon replacement costs $300 to $1,200 on average, depending on the size of the AC, Freon type, and length of the refrigerant lines. Large older AC units using R22 Freon may cost $1,500 and up for a full refrigerant replacement.

With significant Freon refill and repair costs on an old AC unit, consider installing a new AC with an R410A cooling system instead. Air conditioner replacement costs $3,400 to $6,000 on average.

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Freon Charge Cost By AC Unit Type

Freon charge prices vary depending on the type of AC unit.

HVAC or Central Air Coolant Recharge Cost

HVAC Freon recharge costs $100 to $320 on average for R410A refrigerant or $180 to $600 for R22 Freon. An HVAC system should never need Freon added unless the system has a leak. Hire a licensed HVAC technician to locate and repair any leaks before refilling the refrigerant.

Cost To Recharge Mini Split AC

The average cost to recharge a mini split AC system is $100 to $300. Most split systems use R410A refrigerant and need 1.5 to 2 pounds to recharge.

Window Air Conditioner Freon Gas Refill Cost

A window AC Freon refill costs $75 to $240 and requires 1 to 3 pounds of refrigerant. It's often more cost-effective to buy a new window air conditioner instead. Plus, most HVAC companies do not service window AC units.

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Freon Cost Per Pound

Freon costs $50 to $80 per pound for R410A or $90 to $150 per pound for R22, installed. Most central air conditioners need 2 to 4 pounds to recharge the refrigerant. A complete refill requires 6 to 15 pounds of Freon depending on the AC size.

• Many HVAC companies charge more for the first pound of Freon and less for each additional pound.
• Some HVAC companies have a 3-pound minimum for refrigerant.
• Only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 certified technicians can buy refrigerant from a wholesale supplier.

R22 Freon Cost Per Pound

R22 Freon costs $90 to $150 per pound installed or $13 to $21 per pound wholesale. R22 refrigerant is the old standard for residential air conditioners, which is now banned and no longer produced. Older AC units can still be refilled, but R22 prices are rising as the supply decreases.

R22 and other hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Before repairing and refilling an old AC unit with R22, consider installing a new AC unit that uses a cheaper and less harmful refrigerant to the environment.

R410A Freon or Refrigerant Price Per Pound

R410A refrigerant costs $4 to $8 per pound wholesale or $50 to $80 per pound installed. Recharging a home AC with R410A Freon costs $100 to $320 on average. R410A, also called Puron, is used in all new system installs. Puron is cheaper and more energy-efficient than Freon.

R404A Freon Gas Prices Per Pound

R404A Freon gas costs $4 to $7 per pound wholesale or $50 to $70 per pound installed. R404A is an HFC blend used as a replacement for R502 and R22 in low and medium temperature refrigeration applications.

R134A Refrigerant Prices

R134A Freon costs $4 to $10 per pound wholesale or $50 to $110 per pound installed. Only a handful of home air conditioner units use R134A refrigerant as a standard. R134A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that does not deplete the ozone layer.

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Puron vs. Freon Cost

Home AC units use two different types of refrigerants, Freon (R22) or Puron (R410A). Puron is more cost-effective and energy-efficient than Freon systems. Freon production is now banned and supplies are limited, causing the cost of Freon to increase continuously.

• HVAC units are designed to use only one type of refrigerant.
• Adding the wrong type of refrigerant can permanently damage the system.

Freon Alternatives and Drop-In Refrigerants

Freon alternatives or drop-in refrigerants can sometimes be used in R22 air conditioners but are not as safe. Drop-in refrigerants also cause a loss in capacity, making the AC less efficient. Using an alternative refrigerant is often cheaper but voids all manufacturer warranties.

Common R22 Freon alternatives are:

• R407C
• MO-99
• R427A
• RS-44B
• NU-22

Consult a professional HVAC technician to determine if an alternative refrigerant is a viable option for your AC unit.

New Refrigerants For Home AC

Several new AC refrigerants are coming in 2021 to comply with EPA regulations. These refrigerants pose less risk to the environment and improve HVAC units and heat pumps' efficiency and performance.

• R-32
• R454B – Brand names Opteon XL41 and Puron Advance
• R466A – Brand name Solstice N41
• R470A – Brand name ComStar RS-53

Symptoms of Low Freon In Central Air Conditioner

6 Signs Your AC Unit Is Low On Freon

• Vents are blowing warm air.
• AC runs all day but doesn't cool the home.
• Frost on the evaporator coil or refrigerant lines.
• Hissing or bubbling sounds from the AC unit.
• Higher monthly electric bills.
• Water leaking around heater.

Have a qualified HVAC technician inspect the AC for refrigerant leaks and other problems that may cause the same symptoms. An HVAC inspection costs $150 to $500.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Are Residential Air Conditioner Gas Filling Charges?

Residential Freon gas refill costs $100 to $320 for R410A or $180 to $600 for R22 Freon, depending on how much Freon has leaked. A complete Freon gas filling costs $300 to $1,000 on average or up to $1,500 for large older units using R22.

How Long Does Freon Last In An AC Unit?

Freon and refrigerant lasts 10 to 15 years in an AC unit. HVAC units have a service life of 12 to 20 years, so replacing the unit may be more cost-effective than a Freon refill and leak repair.

How Long Does It Take To Recharge Home AC?

Recharging a home AC takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the AC's size and pounds of Freon needed. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to refill one pound of Freon, and AC units need 2 to 4 pounds of refrigerant per ton. Freon leak detection takes 1 to 4 hours, depending on the leak size and location.

How Often Does Freon Need To Be Added To Home AC?

Home air conditioners never need to be recharged unless there's a leak in the refrigerant system or after AC repairs that require a Freon refill. If an AC shows signs of low coolant, have a professional HVAC technician inspect the system for refrigerant leaks.

Where To Buy Freon For Home AC Unit?

The EPA section 608 of the Clean Air Act allows only certified technicians to buy Freon for home AC units. Certified HVAC technicians purchase refrigerant from authorized distributors such as Airgas Refrigerants, Hudson Technologies, A-Gas Americas, Refrigerant Depot, Refrigerants Inc, and JohnStone Supply.

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DIY Home AC Recharge

You cannot recharge your house AC yourself. Under EPA regulations, only a certified HVAC professional can recharge your home's AC unit. Handling refrigerant is illegal without a Section 608 license and EPA-certified equipment. Adding too much refrigerant or using the wrong type will damage the system.

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Hiring A Home AC Freon Service

A licensed technician should handle AC Freon refills and leak repairs. Before hiring an HVAC professional, be sure to:

• Get at least three estimates to compare.
• Let professionals know you’re getting bids from multiple contractors, so they offer you their best competitive price.
• 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 for longer than five years.
• Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
• Ask for a written contract and warranty.
• Get a full breakdown of all costs involved.
• Avoid making large payments upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.

Questions To Ask

• Are you EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerants?
• Which leak detection methods will you use?
• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
• How do you handle damages that happen on the job?
• What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
• What does your warranty policy include?
• What is your payment schedule?

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