Before getting into the cost of repairing a window air conditioner, it is important to understand the basics of these devices. A window air conditioner unit is simply any small air conditioner that can be installed in a window. The main use of these air units is not only to cool down an entire house but to cool down specific rooms in a home. Although these units may be limited in their uses, they make up for it in versatility. Unlike large air conditioners, a window air conditioner can be installed in just about any room in a house that has a window. The great thing about window air conditioners is that they can be installed in the rooms that homeowners use the most. This way, homeowners are able to run their central air less and instead run their window air conditioner. In the long run, this saves a lot of money in power consumption. The cost to have a window air conditioner serviced differs depending on the labor cost. Although labor costs differ from company to company, the average rate usually runs about $30 an hour.

Installation costs can run a little bit higher but generally cost around $45 an hour. Besides the labor costs, homeowners are also charged for the materials that are needed to fix the window air conditioner unit. In some cases, new pieces are not needed, and the unit just needs to be cleaned. If this is the case, homeowners are still charged the labor rate. As stated above, this generally costs about $30. Below is a breakdown of the costs of some basic materials to fix window air conditioner units. Prices are based on universal parts, so some prices may be higher for name brands. Blower Wheel - $71 per unitCapacitor - $122 per unitCurtain Frame - $43 per unit Filter - $76 per unit Fan Motor - $294 per unit Thermostat - $103 per unitCompressor - $128 per unit Repairing a window air conditioner is not always a good idea. A lot of this has to do with the way that electronics in general are made. Instead of having electronics like window air conditioners repaired, companies prefer for homeowners to just buy new units.

That is why, in some cases, it is actually cheaper to buy a new unit instead of repairing a window air conditioner. Below is a more detailed breakdown of the pros and cons. If the window air conditioner that the homeowner is trying to replace is an older model, it can still be cheaper to repair the unit instead of buying a new one. This is because there was a time when devices were meant to be repaired and not replaced. Also, buying a new unit requires going to the store and physically buying one. This takes time and a lot of labor when trying to dispose of the old unit and carry in the new one. If homeowners are able to repair the window air conditioner that is currently in use, they can simply have a repairman come out to their home to fix it. No extra trip required. If the homeowner is using a newer model air conditioning unit, then it is often cheaper to simply replace the unit instead of having a repairman try to fix it. It should also be noted that replacing an older air conditioning unit with a newer one will give the homeowner access to newer features that their old unit may not have had.

The most common problem as to why window air conditioning units need service is because dirt starts to clog up their parts. Over time, dirt, insects and other foreign objects can cause window units not to cool as much. Simply taking apart the unit and cleaning the inside can make a world of difference. outdoor ac unit careBugs generally get into these machines during the fall and winter when the unit is not in use. ac unit electricity costHomeowners should store window air conditioners inside when they are not in use. how long do ac units usually lastLeaving them installed all year around will cause them to need maintenance more often. There are some minor maintenance projects that homeowners can do monthly to help keep their units running longer.

For example, cleaning the air filter every month and cleaning the water pan and condenser coils at least once per season. When the unit is not in use during the colder seasons, homeowners should either cover up the back of the unit or uninstall it from the window. Before doing any work on a window air conditioning unit, homeowners should unplug the unit from the wall so that there is no electricity running to the unit.Sorry there seems to have been a system error. The file you are looking for may have been moved to another location or can't be found in the DataBase. Use the Custom search form to find what you are looking for or clickA window air conditioning unit, designed for easy installation in a window opening, does a fine job of cooling a room. However, the unit in effect closes the window, preventing you from using the window in mild conditions. An alternative that keeps the room cool, and frees up the window for operation, is to build an air conditioner into a wall so it's permanently installed and out of the way.

This works particularly well for cooling a small addition or part of the house that isn't cooled naturally or by other units. When a unit is mounted high on the wall, it does a good job of cooling the space efficiently and effectively. A key requirement is to place it near a 115-volt electrical outlet, or have one added near the location on the wall. A carpenter will build in a 10,000 BTU energy-efficient air conditioner into a wall for $750, which includes the labor, framing material and the unit. If you have carpentry experience, you can do the job for $550, the cost of the unit and framing material, and save 27 percent. You'll have to cut away enough of the interior wallboard to frame in an opening, and then position the unit in the opening and secure it. Then you cut the siding and trim out the opening on the exterior. You may have to repair and paint the walls and trim if you damage them during installation. Pro Cost -- DIY Cost -- Pro time -- DIY Time -- DIY Savings -- Percent Saved $750 -- $550 -- 6.0 -- 8.5 -- $200 -- 27 Percent