Evaporator coil replacement cost
This Old House puts evaporator coil replacement at $627–$2,700 in most cases, with an average of $1,350 including labor and refrigerant. Price rises with the size of the unit and the coil design. If the coil is under warranty you pay mainly labor and refrigerant. On a system near the end of its life, the same source suggests weighing full replacement.
Safety first. A leaking coil means refrigerant work, and This Old House notes that federal regulations require EPA certification to handle refrigerants. If the indoor coil is iced over, switch the AC off and run the fan only until a pro can look at it.
Evaporator coil replacement cost by size
The evaporator coil sits indoors, on top of the furnace or inside the air handler. Refrigerant running through it absorbs heat from the air. The table shows the figures This Old House publishes by unit size.
| Unit size | Low | Average | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 tons | $550 | $1,250 | $2,000 | This Old House |
| 2.5 tons | $650 | $1,400 | $2,100 | This Old House |
| 3 tons | $700 | $1,550 | $2,350 | This Old House |
| 3.5 tons | $750 | $1,650 | $2,500 | This Old House |
| 4 tons | $800 | $1,700 | $2,600 | This Old House |
| 5 tons | $900 | $1,800 | $2,700 | This Old House |
By coil design, the same source gives averages of $1,300 for an A-coil, $1,550 for an N- or Z-coil and $1,200 for a slab coil. It lists labor at $75 to $150 per hour.
What you are paying for
- The coil. It has to match the capacity of the outdoor unit and fit the furnace or air handler cabinet.
- Labor. The technician recovers the refrigerant, disconnects the lines and drain, removes the old coil, fits and brazes the new one, pressure tests, pulls a vacuum and recharges.
- Refrigerant. A full recharge is part of the job. Cost depends on the refrigerant type and the size of the system.
- Access. A coil in an attic or a tight closet takes longer than one in an open basement. Some cabinets need sheet-metal work to fit the new coil.
Leaking coil: repair or replace the coil
Most coil replacements start with a refrigerant leak. Coils develop small leaks in the tubing over time, and the signs are weak cooling, ice on the coil and a system that needs topping up. The page on AC refrigerant leaks explains the signs and the repair options.
A single accessible leak can sometimes be repaired. Leaks spread across the coil cannot be fixed reliably, and replacing the coil is the lasting answer. Adding refrigerant without fixing the leak only postpones the bill and you pay for the refrigerant again each time.
Check the warranty first. Coils often carry a manufacturer parts warranty, which leaves you paying labor and refrigerant.
When to replace the whole system
This Old House offers a threshold. Repair is typically the more cost-effective choice if the system is less than 10 years old and the repair costs 30% or less of a full replacement. Above that, or as the system approaches the 10–15-year mark, replacement becomes the better choice. The same source gives evaporator coils a lifespan of 10–15 years with proper maintenance.
Matching matters as well. A new coil has to work with the existing outdoor unit and its refrigerant. If your outdoor unit uses an older refrigerant, a compatible coil may be hard to find, and replacing both halves together can be the practical route. The repair or replace calculator helps you compare the two paths.
What a quote should include
Ask for the coil model number and confirmation that it is matched to your outdoor unit. The quote should list the coil, labor and refrigerant separately, state how many pounds of refrigerant are included, and say whether a new filter drier and a leak test are part of the job. Ask for the warranty on the part and on the labor in writing.
Common questions
How much does an evaporator coil cost?
This Old House puts replacement at $627–$2,700 in most cases, averaging $1,350 with labor and refrigerant included. Smaller units sit at the lower end and 5-ton units at the top. Warranty cover on the part can reduce what you pay.
Can an evaporator coil leak be repaired?
Sometimes. A single leak in a spot the technician can reach can be brazed. When the tubing is leaking in several places, repairs do not last and the coil needs replacing. Ask the technician to show you where the leak is.
How long does evaporator coil replacement take?
It is commonly a job of several hours because the refrigerant has to be recovered and the system vacuumed and recharged. No sourced figure for the typical duration was found, so ask the contractor for a time estimate.
Should I replace the coil and the outdoor unit together?
If the outdoor unit is also old, replacing both gives you a matched system and one warranty. If the outdoor unit is fairly new and in good shape, replacing only the coil is reasonable, provided the new coil is approved for use with it.
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