How much does a home AC recharge or Freon refill cost?
How much does a home AC recharge or Freon refill cost?
$100 – $320 R410A Freon (ACs installed after 2009)
$180 – $600 R22 Freon (ACs installed before 2010)
$50 – $150 cost per pound installed
Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost
Air conditioner Freon refill costs $100 to $320 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.
| Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| R410A Freon Refill | $100 – $320 |
| R22 Freon Refill | $180 – $600 |
| R410A Freon Price Per Pound* | $50 – $80 |
| R22 Freon Price Per Pound* | $90 – $150 |
*Most central air conditioners need 2 to 4 pounds to recharge the refrigerant. Some HVAC companies have a 3-pound minimum.
All AC units installed after 2009 use R410A refrigerant. Older systems use R22 Freon.
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 often used as a generic term for any coolant in air conditioning systems.
AC units never need more refrigerant unless there is a leak, the refill is part of another repair, or the AC unit was not properly charged with refrigerant during installation.
Home AC Recharge Cost
The following table shows the average cost to recharge a home AC.
| National Average Cost | $225 |
| Minimum Cost | $75 |
| Maximum Cost | $750 |
| Average Range | $100 to $320 |
*Based on 155 project costs reported by homeowners.
Related repairs:
AC repair costs $150 to $600 on average.
AC compressor replacement costs $1,000 to $2,500.
AC evaporator coil replacement costs $700 to $2,300.
AC condenser replacement costs $1,200 to $4,200.
Labor Costs To Add Freon To Home AC
HVAC repairs cost $75 to $200 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 make other repairs.
| Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Home AC Recharge | $100 – $600 |
| Service Call / Diagnostic Fee | $75 – $200 |
| Leak Detection | $130 – $300 |
| Freon Recovery Fee | $30 – $100 |
| Refrigerant Leak Repair & Refill | $225 – $1,500 |
| Labor For Repairs | $50 – $150 per hour |
AC Refrigerant Leak Repair
AC Freon leak repair costs $200 to $1,500 to fix the leak and add several pounds of refrigerant. Prices depend on the severity of the leak and the testing method.
Locating and repairing the leak prevents Freon from flowing back into the outdoor condenser and damaging the compressor.
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. However, 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 AC size, Freon type, and length of the refrigerant lines. A full refrigerant replacement for large, older AC units using R22 Freon may cost $1,500+.
| AC Size | Freon Capacity | Freon Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Tons | 4 – 8 lbs. | $200 – $800+ |
| 2.5 Tons | 5 – 10 lbs. | $250 – $1,000+ |
| 3 Tons | 6 – 12 lbs. | $300 – $1,200+ |
| 4 Tons | 8 – 16 lbs. | $400 – $1,500+ |
| 5 Tons | 10 – 20 lbs. | $500 – $2,000+ |
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 $2,500 to $7,500.
Freon Charge Cost By AC Unit Type
Freon recharge prices depend on the type of AC unit.
| AC Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Window AC | $75 – $240 |
| Central AC | $100 – $600 |
| Mini Split AC | $100 – $300 |
HVAC or Central Air Coolant Recharge Cost
HVAC Freon recharge costs $100 to $320 for R410A refrigerant or $180 to $600 for R22 Freon. An HVAC system should never need more Freon unless the system has a leak or the recharge is part of a repair. 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 mini-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.
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.
| Type | Wholesale Cost Per Pound | Cost Installed Per Pound |
|---|---|---|
| R22 | $13 – $21 | $90 – $150 |
| R410A | $4 – $8 | $50 – $80 |
| R404A | $4 – $7 | $50 – $70 |
| R407A | $5 – $12 | $60 – $130 |
| R421A | $6 – $8 | $60 – $80 |
| R422B | $6 – $9 | $60 – $100 |
| R134A | $4 – $10 | $50 – $110 |
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 and is 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 refrigerant that is less harmful to the environment.
R410A 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 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 Refrigerant 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 refrigerant 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.
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.
| Type | R22 | R410A |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Installed | $90 – $150 Per Pound | $50 – $80 Per Pound |
| Brands | Freon | Freon R410A, Puron, Suva 9100, Forane 410A, or Genetron AZ-20 |
| Status |
|
|
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.
Do not add an alternative refrigerant to an AC system that still contains R22 Freon. Many drop-in refrigerants require draining all the old R22 from the system first and changing the oil.
New Refrigerants For Home AC Systems
Several new AC refrigerants were released after 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 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 similar symptoms. An HVAC inspection costs $150 to $500.
AC Freon Recharge FAQs
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 refrigerant 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 refrigerant needed. Refilling one pound of Freon takes 5 to 10 minutes, 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.
DIY Home AC Recharge
You cannot recharge your home 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.
Improper handling of AC refrigerant can result in criminal prosecution, prison time, and fines of $10,000 or more.
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.
Look for a NATE-certified technician with experience repairing air conditioners.
Confirm the technician is EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerants.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for 5+ 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 in advance. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.
Questions To Ask
Are you EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerants?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Do you charge a service call fee to diagnose the problem? If yes, do you apply that fee toward the repair cost?
Which leak detection methods will you use, and how much does the leak test cost?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
What does your warranty policy include?
What is your payment schedule?