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What’s the Cost to Repair a Heat Pump in Phoenix, AZ?

January 27, 2017

When you run into heat pump troubles, your first thought is most likely: Great, how much is this going to cost me?

Well, the cost for a heat pump repair in Phoenix is anywhere from $60 to over $1,000 while the average price per repair runs around $320.

Yes, that’s a wide price range but asking how much a heat pump repair costs is like asking how much a car repair costs, it all depends on what’s wrong with your system.

To help you get a better idea of what price range you might be looking at, we’ve highlighted the average prices of some common heat pump repairs along with the factors that affect that price.

Need professional heat pump repair ASAP? We have some of the most knowledgeable techs in Phoenix who are here to help you.

Average prices of common heat pump repairs

Indoor air handler repairs

Your heat pump’s indoor air handler is usually located in an attic, closet or basement and is responsible for distributing the cool or warm air throughout your home.

Some of the more common air handler repairs we see are:

  • Blower motor replacement: anywhere from $150 to $600 (depending on the type of blower you have)
  • Circuit board repairs or replacement: $50 to $350
  • Clogged condensate drain line repairs: $75 to $200

Condensing unit repairs

Your condensing unit is your outdoor unit and houses the compressor and refrigerant lines among other parts.

Some common condensing unit repairs include:

  • Broken reversing valve: $250 to $650
  • Dirty refrigerant coils: $190 to $225
  • Compressor replacement: $300 to $1,000

Refrigerant line repairs

  • Detecting & repairing refrigerant leak: $225 to $1,600

Thermostat repairs

  • Repairing thermostat wiring: $150 and up
  • Replacing thermostat: $200 to $700

Factors that affect the cost of your heat pump repair

Service call prices

Almost all HVAC companies charge a “service call” fee or “trip charge”. This is essentially the cost for a professional to come to your home and diagnose your heat pump problem. This charge is usually anywhere from $50 to over $100 and does not include the time and labor to actually fix the problem.

But sometimes, companies will waive their service call charge if you choose to have your system repaired by them.

How the contractor charges

Contractors typically charge one of 2 ways:

  • By the hour
  • Flat-rate pricing

If your contractor charges by the hour, the best they can give you after the diagnostic is an estimate of the cost. However, don’t be surprised if that price changes by the time the repair is completed.

Flat-rate pricing, on the other hand, means the contractor will give you a specific price upfront that won’t change.

Our tip? Regardless of how your contractor charges, always ask your contractor for a written contract before any work is performed.

Warranties

Before you call for a repair, 2 kinds of warranties you should check for include:

  • Your manufacturer’s warranty
  • Your contractor or “labor” warranty

Check your manufacturer’s warranty to see if the part you need is still under warranty. The easiest way to do this is to go to the outdoor unit and jot down the Manufacturer (that is, Trane, Goodman, Carrier, etc.). Then write down the model and serial number of the unit. Call the manufacturer, give them the serial and model number and they should be able to give you the details of your warranty.

Often, the more integral the part, the longer its warranty. For example, a heat pump compressor is usually under warranty for the lifetime of your heat pump. If a part is under warranty, it means that part can be repaired or replaced free of charge (minus the labor).

You can also check with the contractor who installed/repaired the heat pump to see if your labor warranty is still valid. If it is, you may not need to pay for the labor (depending on the part needing repair).

If you call during normal business hours or not

Most contractors charge more for emergency calls that come in after normal business hours.

So, if the repair isn’t urgent and you can afford to wait, wait to call and schedule your appointment during normal business hours on a weekday.

The quality of your contractor

As with any service, the more experienced the professional and the more certifications they have, the higher their prices.

But price shouldn’t be the final determining factor for who you choose to repair your heat pump.
Would you trust a doctor with minimal experience and no certifications to treat you? Of course not. In the same way, you should do your research when it comes to HVAC contractors.

Our tip? Get several bids for the job and make sure contractors are licensed, insured and bonded and can provide several references. Also, steer away from contractors who offer much lower prices than the rest as that’s usually a red-flag that the contractor isn’t as experienced or qualified to do the job.

Need a heat pump repair in Phoenix?

If you’re having heat pump issues, we’re here to help.

Just schedule your service and we’ll send over a Phoenix professional right away to diagnose the problem.

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By Ty Lindsay

Ty Lindsay is the Director of Field Operations at Patrick Riley | Isley’s and a 15-year veteran of the plumbing and HVAC trades. In 2010, Ty earned his Journeyman’s plumbing license. He became a Master Plumber five years later and earned his Journeyman HVAC technician’s license that same year. Ty’s breadth of knowledge in plumbing and HVAC includes both residential and commercial work. He’s been a loyal member of the Patrick Riley | Isley’s team since 2016.