Air conditioner repair cost in Ontario (2026)
Most central air repairs in Ontario cost $150 to $1,500 before HST, plus a diagnostic visit of $100 to $200. A failed compressor at $1,800 to $3,500 is the exception, and on an older system it usually tips the decision toward replacing.
- Diagnostic or service callTravel and troubleshooting. Some companies credit it toward the repair.$100 to $200
- CapacitorHelps the compressor and fan start. Heat waves finish off weak ones.$150 to $350
- ContactorThe switch that turns the outdoor unit on and off.$150 to $350
- Refrigerant leak repair and rechargeFinding the leak drives the price, plus the refrigerant type and amount.$400 to $1,500
- Condenser fan motorThe fan on top of the outdoor unit.$400 to $800
- CompressorThe heart of the system, and often the point to replace instead.$1,800 to $3,500
Each range covers the part, the labour and the visit for a standard central air system during regular hours. HST adds 13%, so a capacitor at $150 to $350 is $169 to $395 on the invoice. When a repair quote creeps toward the cost of a new system, check the installed ranges on Ontario Furnace Prices.
- Diagnostic visit
- $100 to $200Before any repair
- Most electrical repairs
- $150 to $350Capacitor or contactor
- Compressor replacement
- $1,800 to $3,500The expensive one
- New standard central AC
- $3,800 to $7,000Installed, for comparison
On this page
Symptom to likely repair
Most AC failures show up in one of a handful of ways. Use this table to estimate the bill before the technician arrives; the diagnostic visit settles it.
| What you notice | Common causes | Typical repair |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin | Failed capacitor, seized condenser fan motor | $150 to $800 |
| Outdoor unit silent, indoor fan runs | Tripped breaker or outdoor disconnect, failed contactor, thermostat wiring | Free (a breaker) to $350 |
| Runs constantly, air not cold | Refrigerant leak, dirty or blocked outdoor coil, failing compressor | $400 to $3,500 |
| Ice on the copper lines or indoor coil | Clogged filter, low airflow, low refrigerant | A filter to $1,500 |
| Water around the furnace in summer | Clogged coil drain line or failed condensate pump | A service call to $350 |
| Breaker trips when the AC starts | Failing compressor or capacitor, wiring fault | $150 to $3,500 |
| Buzzing, rattling or clanking outside | Loose panel or fan blade, worn contactor, compressor trouble | $150 to $3,500 |
| Starts and stops often, rooms stay warm | System too large for the house, low refrigerant, thermostat in a poor spot | Varies |
Before 13% HST, regular hours, standard central air system.
Refrigerant leaks: fix the leak, not just the level
An air conditioner is a sealed system. It does not use up refrigerant, so a low charge means a leak. Topping it up without finding the leak buys weeks or a season, then you pay again. Refrigerant leak repair and recharge typically costs $400 to $1,500, and the spread is mostly about how hard the leak is to find and fix.
- A leak at an accessible fitting, valve or service port sits at the low end.
- A leak in the indoor or outdoor coil can mean replacing the coil, which pushes the job well past the recharge price. At that point, get a replacement price too.
- The refrigerant type matters. Systems installed before about 2010 often use R-22, which has been phased out, so recharging one is expensive and usually a sign to plan a replacement. The type is printed on the outdoor unit's rating plate.
Buying and handling refrigerant in Ontario requires an ozone depletion prevention certificate, so recharging is not a homeowner job. Ask the technician to write the refrigerant type, the amount added and where the leak was found on the invoice.
Compressor failure: repair or replace?
The compressor is the most expensive part of the outdoor unit. Replacing one typically costs $1,800 to $3,500, against $3,800 to $7,000 for a new standard central air system with a fresh warranty. On a young system with the compressor still under warranty, the repair often makes sense. On a system 10 or more years old, you would be putting a new heart into an old body: the coil, fan motor and electrical parts are the same age, and older systems may run on a refrigerant that is costly to service.
| Option | Typical price | Makes sense when |
|---|---|---|
| Replace the compressor | $1,800 to $3,500 | The system is under about 10 years old, the compressor is under warranty and the rest checks out |
| New standard central AC | $3,800 to $7,000 | The system is older, runs on R-22 or has a history of leaks |
| New high-efficiency AC | $6,500 to $10,500 | You want quieter, steadier cooling and lower summer bills |
| Ducted cold-climate heat pump | $9,000 to $18,000 | You also want efficient heating and may qualify for heat pump programs |
| Furnace and AC together | $8,000 to $15,000 | The furnace is also 15 years old or more |
Typical prices in Ontario, 2026, before 13% HST. Replacement prices are installed prices.
A compressor under warranty is not a free repair: the part may be covered, but the labour, refrigerant and recovery usually are not, so ask for that price in writing. If the furnace is also near the end of its life, replacing both in one job is worth pricing; see furnace and AC prices. For new equipment alone, see air conditioner prices.
Repair or replace: get both prices
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Checks before you book a technician
A few minutes with these can save the diagnostic fee, or at least give the technician a head start.
- Thermostat: set to Cool, setpoint below room temperature, fan on Auto, fresh batteries if it uses them.
- Filter: a clogged furnace filter starves the AC of airflow and can freeze the indoor coil.
- Power: the AC breaker in the panel, the disconnect box beside the outdoor unit and the furnace service switch, because the indoor blower lives in the furnace.
- Outdoor unit: clear leaves, grass clippings and plants away from it. With the power off at the disconnect, rinse the fins gently with a garden hose.
- Frozen coil: if you see ice on the copper lines or the indoor coil, switch cooling off and set the fan to On for a few hours to thaw it. Then replace the filter and try again. Ice that comes back points to low refrigerant or an airflow fault.
- Drain: water around the furnace in summer usually means a clogged coil drain line or a failed condensate pump.
Leave the outdoor unit's electrical panel closed
The capacitor inside can hold a dangerous charge even with the power off. Replacing it is a quick job for a technician and not worth the risk to you.
Warranty: register it or lose years
Many AC makers offer a longer limited parts warranty, often 10 years, when the unit is registered within a set period after installation, and a shorter one when it is not. Compressors sometimes carry their own term. Labour, refrigerant and the visit are usually outside the manufacturer's warranty, and any installer labour warranty is separate. Before you book, find the paperwork or check the serial number on the manufacturer's website, and tell the company what is still covered.
Replacing it with a heat pump instead
When an older AC fails, another AC is not your only option. A cold-climate air-source heat pump sits in the same spot outside and uses the same ducts. It cools in summer and heats in winter, either on its own or with your gas furnace as backup on the coldest days in a dual fuel setup.
It costs more up front: a ducted heat pump typically installs for $9,000 to $18,000 and a dual fuel system for $11,000 to $20,000, against $3,800 to $7,000 for a standard AC. Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program offers rebates for eligible heat pumps, but a cooling-only AC is not a heat pump rebate measure, pre-approval is required before installation, and programs change, so confirm the current rules before you buy. Never count on a rebate amount until you have the approval.
Start with heat pump prices, then the heat pump buying guide and Ontario heat pump rebates.
Sources
- Home Renovation Savings: heat pumps checked October 4, 2026
- Home Renovation Savings: terms and requirements checked October 4, 2026
Questions people ask
How much does an AC capacitor replacement cost in Ontario?
Typically $150 to $350 before HST, including the part, labour and visit. The capacitor helps the compressor and fan motor start, and weak ones often fail in the first heat wave. The usual signs are an outdoor unit that hums without starting or a fan that will not spin. The part can hold a charge, so leave it to a technician.
How much does it cost to recharge an AC in Ontario?
A refrigerant leak repair and recharge typically costs $400 to $1,500 before HST. The price depends on where the leak is, how long it takes to find, and how much and which refrigerant goes back in. A recharge without a leak repair is money that leaks out again. Older systems on R-22 cost more to recharge because that refrigerant has been phased out.
Is it worth replacing the compressor on a 10-year-old AC?
Usually not, unless the compressor is still under warranty and the rest of the system is in good shape. A compressor typically costs $1,800 to $3,500 installed, against $3,800 to $7,000 for a new standard central air system with a fresh warranty and a matched coil. At 10 years or more, that money usually works harder toward a new AC or a heat pump.
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Start with the filter and the outdoor unit: a clogged filter or a dirty, blocked condenser coil cuts cooling sharply. If the outdoor fan is not spinning, suspect the capacitor or the fan motor. Ice on the copper lines points to low airflow or low refrigerant. If those checks come up clean, book a diagnostic visit, typically $100 to $200 before HST.
Can I add refrigerant to my AC myself?
No. In Ontario, buying and handling refrigerant requires an ozone depletion prevention certificate, and a low charge means there is a leak to find anyway. A refrigerant leak repair and recharge by a technician typically costs $400 to $1,500. Ask for the leak location, the refrigerant type and the amount added to be written on the invoice.