How Much Does a Ductless AC Repair Cost in Florida?

If you have a ductless AC in your home that’s giving you trouble, you may need to have it professionally repaired.

So how much is this going to cost you?

Well, in the Florida area, a ductless AC repair costs anywhere from $185 to over $750+.

The factors that will affect your repair cost include:

• What’s wrong with the unit
• How old the unit is?
• Whether the replacement parts are OEM or non-OEM
• The contractor you choose

Let’s take a closer look at those 4 cost factors.
 

Factors that affect the cost of your ductless AC repair

Factor #1: What’s wrong with the unit

Some parts of the ductless unit cost more to replace/repair, so your overall price just depends on where the problem lies.

To give you an idea of what different ductless repairs cost, check out our list below:

• Bad compressor: $700–$900+
• Refrigerant leak: $150–$450
• Thermostat replacement: $100–$300
• Dirty evaporator: $200–$750
• Bad blower motor: $350–$750
• Bad capacitor: $150–$300+

Factor #2: How old the unit is

The older the unit, the more your repair will typically cost.

Ductless AC units usually last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. And the older it gets, the more likely it is that there will be more than just a single worn-down part that needs replacing/repairing.

An example…

Let’s say the repair in question is a bad capacitor. Because a capacitor sends the AC’s blower motor the extra juice it needs to start up, a weak one that isn’t working correctly puts additional strain on the blower motor. And that extra strain can easily cause an old blower motor to fail and burn out.

That said, the cost to replace a bad capacitor might be very different for a 2-year-old ductless unit vs a 12-year-old ductless unit (see below).

Capacitor replacement on a 2-year-old unit

• Typical cost: $150–$300+
• Labor/replacement parts needed: A replacement capacitor and a half hour of the tech’s time. Typically, there’s no need to replace the blower motor when the AC is this young because the blower motor typically can handle the additional stress (for a certain amount of time).

Capacitor replacement on a 12-year-old unit

• Typical cost: $350–$750+
• Labor/replacement parts needed for the repair: A replacement capacitor, replacement blower motor (to replace the old, burnt-out blower motor), and 1.5 to 2 hours of the tech’s time.

Schedule Ductless AC Repair

Factor #3: Whether the replacement parts are OEM or non-OEM

If your tech uses “non-OEM” replacement parts, the repair will typically be less expensive.

Why? Well, “non-OEM” refers to parts that weren’t designed and engineered by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). That means, the parts weren’t specifically made for your brand and model ductless unit.

This is similar to, say, getting a generic replacement battery for your car vs getting an exact replacement from the manufacturer.

Beware, though, getting non-OEM replacement parts can void your ductless AC’s warranty (depending on the manufacturer). Plus opting for OEM parts often gives homeowners peace of mind, knowing that the replacement part has been tested rigorously and is designed to fit and operate perfectly in the system.

Bottom line: Always ask your tech whether they will use OEM or non-OEM replacement parts. If they offer non-OEM (also called “universal” or “aftermarket” parts), check to see if that will void your AC warranty. If yes, is it worth it to you?

Factor #4: The contractor you choose

The higher the quality and more experience a tech has, the more they typically charge.

But don’t let this deter you from hiring a quality tech. In fact, paying a bit more upfront for a skilled tech will probably save you money in the long run. That’s because lower-quality techs often provide fast, poorly done repairs which usually lead to more needed repairs in the future.

Instead of hiring cheap, low-quality techs, look for a reasonably priced one who works for an HVAC company that:

• Has been in business for at least 10+ years
• Is licensed and insured in the state of Florida
• Are experienced in ductless AC repairs
• Offers at least a 1-year warranty on the repair
• Can provide referrals of past satisfied customers

Live in Florida and need a quote for your ductless AC repair?

Cool Today has locations in Sarasota, Tampa, Dunedin, Orlando, and Naples and provides professional air conditioning repair, service, and installation.

Posted in: Buyer's Guide