How Much Does AC Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost? [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $600 - $2,000

Replacing an evaporator coil costs an average of $1,350, and it often ranges from $600 to $2,000 depending on the size, type, and the cost of pro labor in your area.

How we get this data
Outdoor AC unit
Photo: galinast / iStock / Getty Images
Outdoor AC unit
Photo: galinast / iStock / Getty Images
Veronica Sparks
Written by Veronica Sparks
Contributing Writer
Robert Tschudi
Reviewed by Robert Tschudi
Expert Reviewer
Updated Dec 18, 2024

Evaporator coil replacement costs $1,350 on average, but you could pay anywhere from $550 to $2,250, depending on the unit and brand of the evaporator coil. Whereas you normally feel like you’re walking into the Arctic Circle when you get home, today it felt more like New Orleans in July. If this is you, there’s a chance that your evaporator coil is on the fritz and needs a replacement.

Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost Breakdown

Beyond the size of the unit, you also need to consider labor costs, ease of access, and the brand of the evaporator coil to determine the total evaporator coil replacement cost. You should also prepare yourself in case the AC repair company tells you other things need fixing, which will increase the cost.

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From one homeowner to another

Manny was very trustworthy and professional. He gave me a very fair price. Within 24 hours he had done his inspection and given me an estimate. It's the first time I talked to an HVAC company that didn't make me feel like I was getting overcharged. One of the other companies I spoke to was trying to charge 6 times the cost. He took lots of pictures and video and explained step by step what was done wrong by the other contractors and what he would need to do to fix it. He was able to do the work the day after I accepted the estimate. He completed all the work in one day. I am confident and very relieved to say that my HVAC system is set up properly.

— Kristine K.
5.0
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Evaporator Coil Cost by Unit Size

AC units differ in size from household to household. While you may have a 3-ton unit outside your home, your neighbor may be rocking a window unit. This is why some people pay as little as $550 for their evaporator coil replacement, and others pay closer to $2,000.

Unit SizeAverage Cost
2 ton$550
2.5 ton$700
3 ton$850
3.5 ton$950
4 ton$1,000
5 ton$1,100

This cost is only for the unit replacement and does not include labor. Labor costs around $700 on average. If your unit doesn’t state how big it is, you should contact your local air conditioning repair company to help you figure it out.

Labor Cost

Labor for an evaporator coil replacement costs anywhere from $400 to $1,000 depending on the job and service area. Labor tends to cost around the same as the evaporator coil itself because you need a license to handle refrigerant. Refrigerant is a serious chemical compound you don’t want on your skin.

Ease of Access

Where the unit resides in your home makes a difference in cost. In most cases, a unit is an accessible place that makes repairs easy. But if the unit is older or doesn’t make it easy to work in, expect to pay more in per hour labor costs, as the AC repair person needs to shimmy into a tight fit and may need to disassemble more of the unit.

Cost by Style

There are three main types of evaporator coils: A-coils, N- or Z-coils, and slab units.

Coil TypeDescriptionAverage Cost
A-coilSpace-efficient design, optimizes heat exchange$1,300
N- or Z-coilImproved overall system performance$1,550
Slab unitCompact and perfect for smaller spaces$1,200
UncasedSimplest installation$800
CasedGood for highly customized areas or smaller spaces$1,000
3 evaporator coil styles illustrated and compared visually, including a-coils, slab units, and n-or z-coils
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Additional Costs 

The complement to the inside evaporator coil is the condenser coil. The condenser coil cools the gas the evaporator creates and turns it back into a liquid. They tend to have the same life span, so if your evaporator is on its last leg, you may want to check out your condenser as well. An AC condenser coil replacement costs around $800.

AC Repairs

If you’re particularly unlucky and run into a host of problems at once, there are other common HVAC replacements you may need to invest in.

Warranty

If your unit is still pretty new, you may be able to get your repairs covered completely under your warranty. Time to pull that warranty page out of the back of the file box or go searching in your emails. Keep in mind that you may have to work with a specific company if you want your repairs covered under warranty, so read wisely. 

SEER Rating

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and measures how efficiently your HVAC unit can cool your home. The higher the number, the more efficient the system (and the more you save on electric bills). However, parts and units with higher SEER ratings also come at a higher upfront cost. Just a one-point jump in SEER could mean a $2,000 difference. 

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Replacing an evaporator coil is a complex task that requires professional HVAC knowledge and tools. It also involves handling refrigerants and intricate system components. DIY attempts can lead to safety issues, damage to your HVAC system, and voided warranties.

Hiring a local HVAC company to do the job for you is the only option in these scenarios. So, save yourself the high energy bill and sweat and leave this job to the professionals.

When an evaporator coil becomes faulty, it can result in various problems within your HVAC system. These problems could include reduced cooling or heating capabilities due to ice formation and obstructed airflow, along with increased energy consumption and higher bills. Additionally, a damaged coil may lead to refrigerant leaks, which are environmentally harmful and decrease overall system efficiency.

Ultimately, if not addressed right away, a bad evaporator coil can even lead to a complete failure of your HVAC system. That’s why timely repair or replacement is crucial to maintaining your family’s comfort and your HVAC’s efficiency.

Replacing the evaporator coil is often worth it if your HVAC system is relatively new, still under warranty, or if the cost of replacement is significantly lower than investing in a brand-new system. It can restore system efficiency, improve performance, and extend the whole unit's life span. However, for older systems or extensive damage, it may be more cost-effective to consider an AC replacement for improved long-term efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

The time required to replace an evaporator coil varies depending on factors such as the HVAC system's type, accessibility, and the technician's experience. Typically, the replacement process can take 2 to 3 hours at minimum and up to a full day. It may require additional time if there are complications or if the system requires refrigerant evacuation and recharge.

It’s rare that someone would need a permit to replace an evaporator coil, but it’s not impossible. Though most people don’t need a permit to replace an evaporator coil, you should always double-check local laws. It’s safer to hire a pro to replace your evaporator coil as soon as you notice a problem with it since they’re already licensed in HVAC work and know the local laws like the backs of their hands.

Evaporator coils in HVAC systems typically last around 10 to 15 years. However, their life span can be longer or shorter based on factors like the frequency of your HVAC system usage, whether regular maintenance is performed, and environmental conditions. Regular maintenance, such as HVAC system cleaning and coil inspection, can extend the durability and efficiency of your evaporator coil.

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Learn more about our contributors
Veronica Sparks
Written by Veronica Sparks
Contributing Writer
Veronica has been an avid DIYer, gardener, and hobby home designer for over a decade. Her tips and advice can be found on publications like 21Oak, HappySprout, and The Angle. She also recently launched her own homesteading blog centered on teaching people about sustainable living in suburban areas.
Robert Tschudi
Reviewed by Robert Tschudi
Expert Reviewer
Robert Tschudi has 16 years of experience in general contracting, home building and home remodeling. He and his wife currently co-own a remodeling business that they started in 2004.

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