2024 Home AC Freon Recharge & Refill Cost | R22 & R410A Freon Cost (2024)

Air Conditioner Freon Refill Cost

Air conditioner Freon refill costs$100 to $320 for AC units with R410A refrigerant or$180 to $600for older AC units using R22 Freon. Freon costs$50 to $150 per poundto refill a home AC and$4 to $21 per poundwhen buying wholesale. A 25lb tank of R410A costs$75 to $200.

• All AC units installed after 2009 use R410A refrigerant. Older systems use R22 Freon.

• Recharging a home AC takes 1 to 3 hours.

• Freon and refrigerant lasts 10 to 15 years in an AC unit.

• Freon leaks reduce the AC's efficiency, increase running costs, and harm the environment.

• Only EPA Section 608 certified technicians can buy refrigerant.

• "Freon" is often used as a generic term for any coolant in air conditioning systems.

Home AC Recharge Cost

The following table shows the average cost to recharge a home AC.

Related repairs:

• AC repair costs $150 to $600 on average.

• AC compressor replacement costs $1,000 to $2,500.

• AC evaporator coil replacement costs $700 to $2,300.

• AC condenser replacement costs $1,200 to $4,200.

Labor Costs To Add Freon To Home AC

HVAC repairs cost$75 to $200 for a service call or diagnostic fee, plus$130 to $300for Freon leak detection. Labor costs$50 to $150 per hourto fix leaks and make other repairs.

AC Refrigerant Leak Repair

AC Freon leak repair costs$200 to $1,500to fix the leak and add several pounds of refrigerant. Prices depend on the severity of the leak and the testing method.

Locating and repairing the leak prevents Freon from flowing back into the outdoor condenser and damaging the compressor.

Freon Removal & Recovery Fee

Some HVAC contractors charge a Freon recovery fee of$30 to $100to remove and dispose of R22 Freon, as mandated by law. However, most HVAC companies include Freon removal and disposal in their refill or repair cost.

Home AC Freon Replacement Cost

A complete Freon replacement costs$300 to $1,200on average, depending on the AC size, Freon type, and length of the refrigerant lines. A full refrigerant replacement for large, older AC units using R22 Freon may cost$1,500+.

With significant Freon refill and repair costs on an old AC unit, consider installing a new AC with an R410A cooling system instead.Air conditioner replacement costs$2,500 to $7,500.

Freon Charge Cost By AC Unit Type

Freon recharge prices depend on the type of AC unit.

HVAC or Central Air Coolant Recharge Cost

HVAC Freon recharge costs$100 to $320 for R410A refrigerant or$180 to $600for R22 Freon. An HVAC system should never need more Freon unless the system has a leak or the recharge is part of a repair. Hire a licensed HVAC technician to locate and repair any leaks before refilling the refrigerant.

Cost To Recharge Mini-Split AC

The average cost to recharge a mini-split AC system is$100 to $300. Most mini-split systems use R410A refrigerant and need 1.5 to 2 pounds to recharge.

Window Air Conditioner Freon Gas Refill Cost

A window AC Freon refill costs$75 to $240and requires 1 to 3 pounds of refrigerant. It's often more cost-effective to buy a new window air conditioner instead. Plus, most HVAC companies do not service window AC units.

Freon Cost Per Pound

Freon costs$50 to $80 per poundfor R410A or$90 to $150 per poundfor R22, installed.

• Most central air conditioners need2 to 4 poundsto recharge the refrigerant.

• A complete refill requires6 to 15 poundsof Freon, depending on the AC size.

• Many HVAC companies charge more for the first pound of Freon and less for each additional pound.

• Some HVAC companies have a 3-pound minimum for refrigerant.

• Only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 certified technicians can buy refrigerant from a wholesale supplier.

R22 Freon Cost Per Pound

R22 Freon costs$90 to $150 per pound installedor$13 to $21 per pound wholesale. R22 refrigerant is the old standard for residential air conditioners and is no longer produced. Older AC units can still be refilled, but R22 prices are rising as the supply decreases.

R22 and other hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Before repairing and refilling an old AC unit with R22, consider installing a new AC unit that uses a cheaper refrigerant that is less harmful to the environment.

R410A Refrigerant Price Per Pound

R410A refrigerant costs$4 to $8 per pound wholesaleor$50 to $80 per pound installed. Recharging a home AC with R410A costs$100 to $320on average. R410A, also called Puron, is used in all new system installs. Puron is cheaper and more energy-efficient than Freon.

R404A Refrigerant Prices Per Pound

R404A Freon gas costs$4 to $7 per pound wholesaleor$50 to $70 per pound installed. R404A is an HFC blend used as a replacement for R502 and R22 in low and medium temperature refrigeration applications.

R134A Refrigerant Prices

R134A refrigerant costs$4 to $10 per pound wholesaleor$50 to $110 per pound installed. Only a handful of home air conditioner units use R134A refrigerant as a standard. R134A is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that does not deplete the ozone layer.

Puron vs. Freon Cost

Home AC units use two different types of refrigerants, Freon (R22) or Puron (R410A). Puron is more cost-effective and energy-efficient than Freon systems. Freon production is now banned and supplies are limited, causing the cost of Freon to increase continuously.

Freon Alternatives and Drop-In Refrigerants

Freon alternatives or drop-in refrigerants can sometimes be used in R22 air conditioners but are not as safe. Drop-in refrigerants also cause a loss in capacity, making the AC less efficient. Using an alternative refrigerant is often cheaper but voids all manufacturer warranties.

Common R22 Freon alternatives are:

• R407C

• MO-99

• R427A

• RS-44B

• NU-22

Consult a professional HVAC technician to determine if an alternative refrigerant is a viable option for your AC unit.

New Refrigerants For Home AC Systems

Several new AC refrigerants were released after 2021 to comply with EPA regulations. These refrigerants pose less risk to the environment and improve HVAC units and heat pumps' efficiency and performance.

• R-32

• R454B – Brand names Opteon XL41 and Puron Advance

• R466A – Brand name Solstice N41

• R470A – Brand name ComStar RS-53

Symptoms of Low Freon In Central Air Conditioner

6 Signs Your AC Unit Is Low On Freon

• Vents blowing warm air

• AC runs all day but doesn't cool the home

• Frost on the evaporator coil or refrigerant lines

• Hissing or bubbling sounds from the AC unit

• Higher monthly electric bills

• Water leaking around heater

Have a qualified HVAC technician inspect the AC for refrigerant leaks and other problems that may cause similar symptoms. AnHVAC inspection costs$150 to $500.

AC Freon Recharge FAQs

How Much Are Residential Air Conditioner Gas Filling Charges?

Residential Freon gas refill costs$100 to $320for R410A or$180 to $600for R22 Freon, depending on how much refrigerant has leaked. A complete Freon gas filling costs$300 to $1,000on average or up to$1,500for large older units using R22.

How Long Does Freon Last In An AC Unit?

Freon and refrigerant lasts10 to 15 yearsin an AC unit. HVAC units have a service life of 12 to 20 years, so replacing the unit may be more cost-effective than a Freon refill and leak repair.

How Long Does It Take To Recharge Home AC?

Recharging a home AC takes1 to 3 hours, depending on the AC's size and pounds of refrigerant needed. Refilling one pound of Freon takes5 to 10 minutes, and AC units need 2 to 4 pounds of refrigerant per ton.

Freon leak detection takes1 to 4 hours, depending on the leak size and location.

How Often Does Freon Need To Be Added To Home AC?

Home air conditioners never need to be recharged unless there's a leak in the refrigerant system or after AC repairs that require a Freon refill. If an AC shows signs of low coolant, have a professional HVAC technician inspect the system for refrigerant leaks.

Where To Buy Freon For Home AC Unit

The EPA section 608 of the Clean Air Act allows only certified technicians to buy Freon for home AC units. Certified HVAC technicians purchase refrigerant from authorized distributors such as Airgas Refrigerants, Hudson Technologies, A-Gas Americas, Refrigerant Depot, Refrigerants Inc, and JohnStone Supply.

DIY Home AC Recharge

You cannot recharge your home AC yourself. Under EPA regulations, only a certified HVAC professional can recharge your home's AC unit. Handling refrigerant is illegal without aSection 608 licenseand EPA-certified equipment.

Hiring A Home AC Freon Service

A licensed technician should handle AC Freon refills and leak repairs. Before hiring an HVAC professional, be sure to:

• Get at least three estimates to compare.

• Look for a NATE-certified technician with experience repairing air conditioners.

• Confirm the technician is EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerants.

• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

• Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for 5+ years.

• Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.

• Ask for a written contract and warranty.

• Get a full breakdown of all costs involved.

• Avoid making large payments in advance. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.

Questions To Ask

• Are you EPA Section 608 certified to handle refrigerants?

• Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?

• Do you charge a service call fee to diagnose the problem? If yes, do you apply that fee toward the repair cost?

• Which leak detection methods will you use, and how much does the leak test cost?

• What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?

• What does your warranty policy include?

• What is your payment schedule?