Everything To Know About AC Recharge

When your home AC isn’t working correctly, it may need to be recharged, which requires professional service. Learn what’s involved in the process and how much you can expect to pay.

Written by Brenda Woods Updated 06/07/2024

If your electricity bill is soaring, water is leaking from your AC system, or your unit is blowing hot air instead of cold, your system may need to be recharged. Recharging your home’s air conditioning unit is the process of changing or refilling the AC refrigerant that cools warm air.

Home air conditioners are closed systems designed to retain refrigerant for their lifespan. Damage or wear to different parts of the system can cause leaks that require your AC to be recharged. Keep reading to learn the average cost of recharging various home AC units, the dangers of DIY AC recharging, what to expect from your AC professional, and ways to save money on AC recharges.

Cost To Recharge a Home Air Conditioning Unit

The national average cost to refill refrigerant in a home AC unit is around $400. Your AC recharge cost will depend on the size and type of your AC, the type of refrigerant, and any added repairs you’ll need.

Type of Unit	Average Cost To Recharge	Cost of Refrigerant	Cost of Labor
Central AC	$150–$600	R-22: $50–$80 per pound R-410A: $12–$25 per pound	$50–$200 per hour (add $50–$150 if using R-22)
Mini split	$100–$300	R-22: $50–$80 per pound R-410A: $12–$25 per pound R-422B: $7–$9 per pound	$50–$200 per hour (add $50–$150 if using R-22)
Window AC	$100–$200	R-22: $50–$80 per pound R-410A: $12–$25 per pound	$50–$200 per hour (add $50–$150 if using R-22)

Note: All cost data sourced from Fixr

Factors That Impact AC Recharge Costs

The average lifespan of a home air conditioning unit is 10 to 20 years. Yet, there are distinct differences in the types and sizes of AC units, and not all systems use the same type of refrigerant. As a result, the cost of a home AC recharge can vary.

You can expect the following factors to impact your recharge cost.

Cause of the leak: Home air conditioning systems are fully sealed systems that only need to be recharged due to a leak in the system. The AC system must be repaired before recharging to prevent the new coolant from leaking. The cost of making the repair and the parts needed for the repair will increase the overall cost of having your AC recharged.
Size of your AC: Larger air conditioning units hold more refrigerant to cool larger spaces efficiently. A 1-ton air conditioning system has a refrigerant capacity of 2–4 pounds, while a 5-ton unit has a 10–20 pounds capacity. This size difference can increase the cost by hundreds of dollars if your system uses an R-22 refrigerant.
Type of refrigerant: The cost of refrigerant can range from less than $10 per pound to nearly $100 per pound. Safe disposal fees for certain types of refrigerants can also increase the cost of your AC recharge.

Additional Costs Associated With a Home AC Recharge

Over the past few decades, much information has come to light about how AC refrigerants impact the environment, resulting in some refrigerant types being banned. The prices of refrigerants that are no longer in production increase as availability decreases, further impacting the cost of repairing and recharging air conditioners. These changes can also inform your decision about whether to convert or replace an aging AC system.

These factors and typical repair differences can also impact the cost of your home AC recharge:

AC conversion cost: As the cost of R-22 refrigerant rises, you may wonder if you can switch to the less expensive R410A refrigerant. Since these two refrigerants use different chemicals and operate at different frequencies, a conversion would be required to switch to R410A. This conversion requires replacing the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and refrigerant tubing, which would substantially increase your costs.
Freon recovery cost: Recharging a system that uses R-22 Freon or changing from R-22 refrigerant to another chemical increases the recovery fee threefold because R-22 must be properly recycled to avoid environmental damage.
Removal cost: Some AC units only need to have refrigerant topped off, while others need a complete replacement. The cost to fully replace the refrigerant will increase costs because the removed refrigerant must be properly disposed of.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

While there are many home improvement projects you can DIY to cut costs, recharging your home AC system isn’t one of them. According to Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, refrigerant can only be sold to certified technicians, and technicians servicing AC and refrigeration equipment must pass an EPA-approved examination. The Clean Air Act requirements aim to protect the ozone layer.

Unless you’re a certified HVAC professional, you’ll have to hire a professional to recharge your AC system. Although it may be more costly, the benefits of maintaining your safety and reducing the potential for increased costs down the road make hiring a professional well worth the added expense.

Reasons You Cannot Recharge Your AC Unit Yourself

You may wonder why you can’t perform a similar task on your home AC unit if you’ve ever recharged your car’s AC system. While air conditioners in automobiles and homes perform similar functions and work with similar products, the systems are different. You shouldn’t attempt to recharge your home AC without the proper training for many reasons, including the following:

AC refrigerant is under high pressure, which can lead to serious injury if you don’t have the knowledge and experience to handle it properly.
Refrigerants are dangerous chemicals that can be hazardous to your skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Refrigerant will quickly leak if you don’t find and repair the leak, making your investment worthless.
Violating the laws regarding refrigerants can result in hefty fines that are far more expensive than having your AC professionally recharged.
You could cause substantial damage or destroy your HVAC system if you make errors during the process.

Hiring an AC Pro

When your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly, your AC seems to run all the time, or your energy bill is much higher than last year, it may be time to get help from a professional HVAC technician. You can ask for recommendations from friends and family or research customer reviews to find a reputable company to work with. When you make your choice, verify the technician has experience in residential AC systems.

When the technician arrives, you can expect a process that includes diagnosis, repair, recharging, and testing. The whole process is likely to take a few hours. Here’s what you can expect:

System inspection: If you haven’t already hired an HVAC repair company to repair your leak, you can expect the technician to inspect the system and check for leaks.
Repairs: When leaks are discovered, they must be repaired before recharging to avoid wasting coolant.
Refrigerant recharging: Once necessary repairs are completed, the technician will use tools to evacuate the system, perform a vacuum test, and refill it with the required amount of refrigerant.
Testing: Before leaving, the technician will test your system to ensure it’s working properly.

Ways To Save Money on AC Recharge

Since home air conditioning units aren’t designed to need recharging, the service isn’t a cost you should expect to encounter frequently. Maintenance is the best way to avoid frequent recharges or avoid the cost altogether. You can also take steps to reduce costs if you need to have your home AC system recharged.

Consider the value of replacement. If you have an old air conditioning system, repairs will become more frequent and outdated refrigerants more expensive. Talk to your HVAC professional about the advantages of replacing your old system with an energy-efficient unit that uses modern eco-safe refrigerant. While the cost of a new air conditioner isn’t likely to be less than the cost of a recharge, there are some instances when replacing your AC unit will save you money over time.

Invest in routine maintenance. Have a professional HVAC tech inspect and service your AC system each year before the cooling season starts. Inspections can reveal problems before your system begins to leak.

Know what to expect. Learn how your AC typically affects your energy bill, what it sounds like, and how long a cooling cycle usually takes. By understanding your AC’s normal state, you can recognize problems early.

Work with a reputable company. Before repairing or recharging your AC system, shop around to learn the best prices and how each company conducts services.

Our Conclusion

Recharging a home AC unit is unnecessary when your air conditioner is running well. However, it’s occasionally required due to a refrigerant leak. Home AC recharge is a job that must be completed by a professional, and several factors affect the cost of the service. With proper AC maintenance and routine care, you can keep your air conditioner in the best shape possible and avoid home AC refrigerant leaks.

FAQ About AC Recharge

Can I add Freon to my home AC myself?

You cannot add Freon to your home AC yourself unless you’re a certified HVAC technician. Safe refrigerant handling is controlled by Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, and failure to follow the regulations can result in fines.

What is the cost of R-22 Freon per pound?

The cost of R-22 Freon ranges from $50–$80 per pound. Its high price point is due to production being halted in 2020.

How long does a home AC recharge last?

If your AC system is free of leaks, a home AC recharge can last the life of your system. Since a home AC is a sealed system, recharging is only necessary when a leak exists. The leak should be repaired before recharging your AC system.

How do I know if my home AC needs to be recharged?

Your home AC doesn’t need to be recharged as long as it’s working correctly. Signs of a leaky system include higher electric bills than normal, water leaking from the system, and a unit that blows hot instead of cold air.

What are the risks of recharging my AC unit myself?

The risks of recharging your AC unit yourself include damage or destruction to your AC system and health hazards. You could also face fines because purchasing home AC refrigerant or service home AC units is illegal unless you’re a certified technician.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.