True Cost Guide Heating & Cooling Recharge or Refill AC Freon

How Much Does Freon Cost in 2025?

Typical Range:

$100 - $600

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated November 14, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

Air conditioner Freon refills cost between $100 and $600 for most residential properties, with an average cost of $300.
Freon was a brand name that has become a generic term for AC coolant or refrigerant.
Most current residential AC systems use R410A refrigerant, while older units may use R22 coolant.
The cost of Freon per pound of R410A is $50 to $100, installed. The wholesale price is $4 to $20 per pound.
You only need to recharge an AC system with coolant if there’s a leak.
AC leak repairs and other repair jobs cost $200 to $8,000.
Residential AC systems may last up to 15 years before they develop leaks.

Recharging a typical home’s air conditioning system with Freon costs $300 on average, with a typical range of $100 to $600. The specific cost of Freon per pound can vary depending on the type of refrigerant required. A 25-pound tank of the common R410A refrigerant is priced at around $500 from licensed technicians and resellers. By comparison, older R22 refrigerants can cost $1,000 or more for the same volume.

As air conditioners approach their typical 15-year life cycle, small leaks can cause them to lose refrigerant, also known as Freon. While Freon started as the brand name of a DuPont product, it has become a generic term for any AC coolant. Replacing this lost refrigerant is crucial for maintaining your AC’s efficiency, but the associated costs can add up quickly.

Average Freon Cost

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$300	$600	$100

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Freon Cost Factors

Several factors affect how much your air conditioner Freon refill costs, including the size of your AC unit and whether it requires repairs. In addition to the cost of Freon per pound, you also have to consider the cost of recovery and disposal.

Cost Factor	Average Cost Range
Cost of Freon per Pound	$50–$150
Disposal	$50–$300
Leak Testing	$50–$100
Leak Repair	$200–$1,500

Freon Cost per Pound

Only EPA-registered and certified technicians and resellers can buy AC refrigerant. Most modern air conditioners use the R410A refrigerant standard, which is sometimes listed as R410a or R-410A. Older systems may use R22 Freon. HVAC companies may charge more for the first pound of Freon and require a three-pound minimum order.

R410A

The wholesale cost of Freon per pound is $4 to $20. R410A refrigerant usually comes in 25-pound tanks, which can cost $100 to $500.

Most residential AC systems need six to 12 pounds, but larger homes may need more. Homeowners can expect to pay $50 to $100 per pound, including labor. Costs for R410A—also known as Puron—can rise depending on local demand. The size of your air conditioning unit is measured in tons. Each ton of AC cooling needs two to four pounds of Freon.

AC Size (Tons)	Freon Needed (Pounds)	Average Cost Range
0.5	1–2	$50–$200
1	2–4	$100–$400
2	4–8	$200–$800
3	6–12	$300–$1,200
4	8–16	$400–$1,600
5	10–20	$500–$2,000

R22

Air-conditioning units and systems installed before 2010 may use the older R22 coolant, which is becoming increasingly difficult to source. If you or your HVAC technician can find it, R22 Freon costs $13 to $21 per pound wholesale and $100 to $150 per pound installed. In many cases, you may need to upgrade or replace an older R22 AC system with one that can use R410A.

Recovery and Disposal

Federal regulations mandate that you capture and dispose of used AC coolant properly to prevent environmental damage. HVAC pros may charge a Freon recovery fee of $50 to $300 for this service. Even if you get rid of an entire appliance containing refrigerant, you must adhere to strict rules to avoid harming the environment.

Leak Testing

The only reason an AC unit needs to be recharged with Freon is because it has developed a leak. Basic AC leak testing costs $50 to $100, which may lead to additional costs to repair the leak. A more comprehensive HVAC inspection can cost as much as $500.

Common symptoms of a leaking AC system include:

Higher than normal electricity bills
AC unit makes hissing or bubbling noises
Frost developing on evaporator coils or refrigerant lines
Formation of heavy condensation or leaking water
AC unit blows warm air instead of cold
The air conditioner runs continuously, but the home is still warm

Leak Repair

After testing for and identifying leaks, the air conditioning technician can provide you with an estimate of the cost to repair the leak. The nature and severity of the AC Freon leak can significantly impact the repair cost, ranging from $200 to $1,500 in most cases.

Other Freon Cost Factors

Along with buying the refrigerant to recharge your AC unit, there are other Freon cost factors to consider.

Labor

The difference between the wholesale cost of Freon per pound and what you’ll pay as the customer is partly based on the labor cost to install it. Local HVAC repair companies usually charge $70 to $150 per hour for labor. You must hire a professional to recharge your AC, as the EPA mandates that only licensed technicians can legally handle refrigerants. A basic diagnostic or service call costs $75 to $200, while an AC recharge service may cost $100 to $600.

Other AC Repairs

An HVAC diagnostic call looking for AC leaks may also reveal other problems that need to be addressed. Here are some common AC repair jobs and their average prices, including replacing broken parts.

AC Repair	Average Cost Range
Fan Motor Replacement	$100–$1,600
Condenser Replacement	$1,050–$5000
Blower Motor Replacement	$250–$900
Compressor Replacement	$800–$2,800
Evaporator Coil Replacement	$600–$2,000
Condenser Coil Replacement	$900–$2,800
New AC Unit Installation	$3,900–$8,000

Ongoing Maintenance

The best way to avoid costly AC repairs is to keep up with regular maintenance of your home’s air conditioning system. A standard AC tune-up costs $75 to $200, with additional costs for repairs or part replacements. The inspection may reveal minor issues before they develop into larger problems.

Regular maintenance also includes changing the air filters every year. AC coil cleaning costs $100 to $400 on average, including both the condenser and evaporator coils. Duct cleaning costs $250 to $500, including cleaning the air handler.

Budgeting for AC Refilling

A new HVAC unit costs $5,000 to $10,000, so it’s often more cost-effective to keep up with regular maintenance, which may involve repairing leaks and recharging the AC unit with refrigerant. Manage your budget with these money-saving tips for AC refilling:

Regular maintenance: Schedule routine inspections by a professional to identify possible issues. Early detection can prevent breakdowns and more expensive repairs.
Fix leaks promptly: The longer you leave a leak unaddressed, the more Freon you’ll lose. Repair the leak instead of just topping it off, which can only prolong the underlying issue.
Consider a service contact: Some HVAC companies may offer annual service contracts that include priority scheduling and discounted rates on repairs and AC recharges.
Bundle services: When you call an AC technician to test for leaks or recharge the coolant, ask about bundling other maintenance services like coil cleaning at the same time. They may offer a package discount to reduce your overall cost.
Change your filter regularly: Depending on local conditions, you may need to charge the air filter on your AC unit at least every year or two. Dirty or clogged filters hamper the system’s ability to work efficiently.
Shop around: Contact several HVAC repair companies in your area for estimates. Their prices may vary for labor and the cost of Freon per pound.
Check your warranty: If your residential AC unit is still under warranty, you may not need to pay for your AC recharge or leak repair out of pocket.

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.

Still Have Questions About AC Freon Refills?

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do you need to add Freon to a central air conditioning unit?

Generally speaking, most modern central AC units do not need a Freon recharge unless they develop a leak. This can happen around the end of a residential air conditioning system's typical 15-year lifespan. Modern AC units use R410A refrigerant, while older AC units may use R22.

How long does it take to recharge an AC unit?

It typically takes between five and 10 minutes to refill one pound of Freon in a residential air conditioner. You need two to four pounds of Freon per ton of AC cooling, and most homes have a half-ton to five tons of AC cooling. For an average home AC unit with three tons of cooling, expect to need six to 12 pounds of Freon, which will take 30 minutes to two hours to refill.

Can I refill the Freon in my home’s AC myself?

The EPA bars unlicensed people from purchasing certain chemicals and supplies, including Freon and other refrigerants. Only certified professionals are qualified to refill the Freon in your home’s AC unit. They can help to spot and repair possible leaks and recharge your AC system with coolant. If you handle these substances as an unlicensed individual, you may face a fine of up to $10,000.