When the AC dies in July or the furnace quits in January, you need two numbers fast: what a fair repair costs, and whether the system is worth fixing at all. Here are typical 2026 HVAC repair costs and the rule of thumb pros use.
Common repairs & typical costs
| Repair | Typical national range (2026) |
|---|---|
| AC repair (common faults) | $150–$1,200 |
| Furnace repair | $125–$600 |
| Refrigerant leak & recharge | $200–$1,500 |
| Thermostat replacement | $75–$300 |
| Annual tune-up | $80–$250 |
| Full system replacement | $5,500–$12,500 |
What affects your cost
- System age and refrigerant type (older R-22 systems cost far more to service)
- Part availability for your brand and model
- Season — peak summer and winter calls carry premiums
- Condition of ductwork and insulation
Repair or replace?
Use the “$5,000 rule”: multiply the repair quote by the system age in years — if it tops $5,000, replacement usually wins. Compressor or heat-exchanger failures on units 12+ years old are nearly always replacements.
Guides
In-depth, citation-backed cost guides for this category are in production and will appear here soon. Meanwhile, the instant estimator gives you a tailored, location-adjusted ballpark in 30 seconds.
Costs above are 2026 national ranges compiled from public cost guides (Angi, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, This Old House, Forbes Home, Fixr and similar). Your local price depends on your region — the instant estimator adjusts these to your ZIP code. These figures are informational, not a quote; always compare multiple local quotes.