How Much Does It Cost to Replace AC Coils in 2025?

Average Cost to Replace AC Coils

AC Coil Replacement Cost Factors

Several factors impact your overall cost to replace an AC coil, including your unit’s size and location, the local cost of labor, and additional repairs required.

Cost by Tonnage or Size

Evaporator coil replacement costs depend on your AC unit’s size or tonnage. Tonnage describes how much heat a unit can remove from your home within an hour, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units).

The more tonnage required, the more the AC coil replacement costs. Most residential AC units range from 1.5 to 6 tons. If your new coil doesn’t match your existing one, your pro will need to make modifications to make it fit properly. The total cost below adds $100 to $400 in labor to the unit price.

Coil Style

The coil style you choose for your AC unit impacts the average cost of replacing the AC coil. Your HVAC pro can recommend the best coil for your unit, but your final choice depends on the air conditioning unit’s configuration.

• A-coils are the most common style and resemble the shape of a tent or triangle.

• N-coils or Z-coils have a zigzag pattern like the letter N or Z.

• Slab units are flat and used in horizontal units that don’t take up much space.

The table below details evaporator coil prices based on style, including labor for installation.

Here’s a breakdown of these common coil styles:

• A-coils are the most common style and resemble the shape of a tent or triangle (or an A). These cost $1,300.

• N- or Z-coils look like the letter N or Z and cost $1,550 on average.

• Slab units are flat and used in horizontal units that don’t take up much space; you can expect to pay $1,200 for this evaporator coil style.

Your HVAC pro can recommend the best coil for your unit, but your final choice will ultimately depend on your air conditioning unit’s configuration.

In addition, you can choose between cased and uncased evaporator coils.

• Case coils cost $1,000 on average, and are easier to install. Fit doesn’t need to be exact.

• Uncased coils cost $800 on average but are more difficult to install. Fit needs to be perfect.

Cased or Uncased Evaporator Coils

You can also choose between cased and uncased evaporator coils. Cased coils cost an average of $1,000 and are easier to install. The fit doesn’t need to be exact. Uncased coils cost an average of $800 but are more difficult to install because the fit needs to be perfect.

Brand

The brand greatly affects how much replacing the evaporator coil on your AC unit costs. Each brand may sell budget coils for as little as $200 up to premium coils for about $2,000. In most cases, you must purchase a replacement coil from the same brand as your AC unit. Using a brand-name coil ensures proper fit and operation; generic coils are more affordable but offer less efficiency and durability.

The table below lists common brands, AC coil replacement costs in materials, and total evaporator coil replacement costs, including two to four hours of labor for installation.

Although many of these companies, such as Rheem and Ruud, share ownership, make sure to match your brand and model when buying a new part. Mismatched brands can lead to lower cooling efficiency and, sometimes, early failure.

SEER Rating

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the ratio of your AC’s cooling output divided by the energy it uses. The higher your unit’s SEER rating, the more efficient it is and the more it’ll cost to replace parts, including the evaporator coil.

Refrigerant

Refrigerant costs $4 to $10 per pound, depending on the type required. Typically, replacing the refrigerant (also called Freon) makes up $100 to $300 of your total AC coil replacement cost. On average, recharging your system with Freon costs about $150. Older models running on outdated refrigerants may be more expensive.

Additional Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost Factors

Several other factors affect the cost of replacing an AC coil, including labor, accessibility, and repairs. 

Labor

On average, installing a replacement AC coil takes two to four hours. At $50 to $100 per hour for labor, a typical AC coil replacement costs $100 to $400 in labor. However, more challenging replacements, like when the AC is in a difficult-to-access location, might take up to eight hours, pushing labor costs as high as $800. Get quotes from several HVAC companies in your area before moving forward with one contractor.

Accessibility

If your unit isn't easy for your technician to access, you may pay more in labor costs for the extra time it takes to replace the coil. This is equally true with AC coil cleaning costs if the AC unit is hard to reach. The AC coil replacement work may take two to four times as long, upping labor costs to as much as $600 to $800.

Repairs

The HVAC technician may alert you to different AC system components needing repair or replacement. Any additional work costs more in labor and material fees. In general, AC repair costs range from $175 to $600. 

• Replacing an AC compressor costs an average of $1,800.

• AC condenser replacement costs an average of $2,900.

• Replacing the AC fan motor costs an average of $450.

• Repairing a coil leak costs an average of $250 to $1,600.

Warranty

If your coil is still under warranty, you may only have to pay for the labor associated with the repair. This is typically $100 to $400. Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for the entire cost, including the cost of parts.

Evaporator Coil Replacement vs. Repair

When the evaporator coil on your home’s air conditioning system develops issues, you often have to decide whether to repair or replace it. While minor leaks or surface damage might be repairable, extensive damage or older coils often justify full replacement as a more cost-effective long-term solution. 

Repair costs can often approach or even equal replacement expenses, especially when considering potential efficiency gains and the future reliability of a new coil. If you find a leak, discuss repair versus AC coil replacement costs with your HVAC pro.

Does Replacing Evaporator Coils Increase Home Value?

Installing a new evaporator coil likely won’t significantly increase your home’s market value. However, it can enhance your property’s appeal to potential buyers by demonstrating a proactive approach to home maintenance. A new AC coil can signal that your home is well-maintained and reduce concerns about future AC repair costs.

Budgeting for Replacing AC Coils

To budget for the cost of replacing an AC coil, take a strategic approach to keep expenses low while ensuring your home’s cooling efficiency:

• Request estimates from at least three licensed HVAC contractors to compare pricing and understand the full scope of the job.

• Review your existing AC unit’s warranty for coverage on evaporator coil replacement.

• Book the project during off-peak seasons in early spring or late fall when contractors may offer discounted rates or have more flexible scheduling.

• When choosing coils with higher SEER ratings, check for local energy rebates or tax credits.

• Keep an additional buffer in your emergency fund to cover unexpected repair or replacement costs. 

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.