HVAC maintenance costs an average of $250
On average, HVAC maintenance costs between $175 and $350, or $250 in total.
Factors like system age, time of year, service plans, repairs, and warranties all affect HVAC maintenance pricing.
Regular HVAC maintenance by a professional technician enhances energy efficiency and reduces the likelihood of costly future breakdowns.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Regular HVAC maintenance costs $250, or between $175 and $350 on average. Your final price is shaped by your location, unit size, and how often you book service.
A service call includes condenser cleaning and a comprehensive performance check. Your technician also identifies any potential repair issues and addresses them before they become expensive. For repairs outside a standard service, such as an evaporator coil or duct cleaning, expect to pay $50 to $150 per hour for an HVAC technician. A quick yearly check keeps the system running longer, reduces energy bills, and helps you avoid more significant, costlier breakdowns.
Most HVAC pros charge a flat tune-up fee, but there are a variety of factors that impact the cost. Here’s what you can expect from HVAC maintenance.
Older HVAC units often cost more to tune up. Newer models will already be reasonably efficient, particularly if you get yearly inspections and tune-ups. However, older models are likely to need more work and replacement parts to keep them functioning, so expect tune-ups for older HVAC units to cost up to 50% more.
The time of year is critical to prices regarding HVAC maintenance. At peak times, the cost of servicing can double. During the off-season, you can find lower prices and maybe even get a great deal. For example, early spring and winter are the best times to get your AC serviced since there's less demand for these services during colder periods.
Some parts and labor costs may be covered if your machine is still under warranty. However, it's essential to review the terms of your warranty, as regular servicing or tune-ups may be a condition of the contract. Failure to maintain a record of these services may void the warranty or any claim you make to recoup labor and parts costs.
A servicing contract can be worth the money. Whether you have a new or old system, agreeing to an annual servicing agreement for just your AC or your entire HVAC system can reduce the cost per service and may cover labor costs for repairs, as well as some replacement parts. More extended service contracts, or those with twice-yearly visits, generally cost much less per visit than short contracts and one-off visits.
It's not just the age of the AC but also the general condition that impacts the maintenance price. How you treat your machine—whether you keep on top of keeping the vents clean, vacuuming the ducts, and keeping them free of obstruction—is all critical to the condition of your system. Dirty or obstructed ducts and vents reduce efficiency and increase wear on your system's motor, increasing the likelihood of a breakdown.
Similarly, if you've left it too long between servicing or ignored small warning signs, your AC will likely need more maintenance and replacement parts compared to a well-kept system. Therefore, you may pay more for the tune-up.
Annual maintenance fees for extended service contracts cost between $150 and $300 and include the entire HVAC system. If you have both central AC and heating, you’ll want to purchase these contracts for annual inspections and cleanings. Most contracts include:
Cost of AC service: $60–$200
Furnace inspection and maintenance: $80–$300
New systems that are still under warranty probably don't need maintenance work, but it's less expensive than combining independent HVAC service costs.
If your HVAC technician finds any problems with your system, you’ll have to pay to repair or replace the damaged components. Here are some common HVAC repairs and their costs.
Repair | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
Thermostat repair | $100–$600 |
Fan motor replacement | $100–$700 |
AC leak repair | $200–$1,600 |
Duct cleaning | $270–$525 |
Unless you purchased a higher-tiered maintenance package, recharging AC refrigerant costs $200 to $500. You won't need this done yearly, only if there's a leak or part that needs to be replaced.
An AC tune-up is a checklist of quick tasks that keep your unit in peak shape. Tune-ups help optimize your system to reduce the chance of breakdown and achieve maximum energy efficiency. The exact checklist varies by company and service package, but most tune-ups cover the items below.
Coil cleaning
Checking and calibrating the thermostat
Air filter cleaning or replacement
Flushing the condensation lines
Checking for mold and mildew in the system
Testing electrical connections
Verifying the safety of fan blades and valves
Inspecting the blower motor
Cleaning and checking ductwork
Checking and refilling refrigerant levels
Lubricating moving parts
Inspecting electrical parts
Clearing debris from around the compressor, condenser, and fan
Swap the air filter yourself—it takes just minutes and should be done every 30 days. For anything more complex, like testing refrigerant or cleaning condensate lines, hire a local licensed HVAC pro. The job calls for specialized tools and training. Schedule a professional tune-up with a local HVAC pro to maintain your system’s efficiency and safety.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Yes, a once-a-year tune-up keeps the system efficient and helps it last longer. During the visit, a technician cleans coils, checks electrical connections, and swaps or cleans the filter. Catching small issues now stops bigger, pricier failures later, so that a quick appointment saves money and stress over the life of the unit.
Changing your AC filter every 30 days is necessary to maintain optimal performance and high indoor air quality. Regular filter replacement prevents dust buildup, ensures efficient airflow, and protects the system from stress that could lead to costly repairs. This disciplined maintenance routine not only boosts energy efficiency but also prolongs the lifespan of your unit by safeguarding its critical components.
An HVAC service plan is worth the cost, especially if you forget to schedule maintenance on your own. A service plan locks in yearly (or twice-yearly) visits, allowing a professional to identify small problems early, clean key components, and maintain energy efficiency. Many plans also include minor repairs or priority scheduling, which can pay for themselves if an unexpected issue pops up.
In a pre-season service visit, your technician gives your system a top-to-bottom check before peak season hits. Expect a filter change, thermostat test, condenser-line flush, electrical-connection check, and coil cleaning. They also tighten loose parts and make minor adjustments so the unit fires up without surprises when temperatures swing. That quick tune-up cuts the risk of mid-season breakdowns and keeps energy use in line.