AC Refrigerant Recharge Pricing Guide
Learn how the type of refrigerant, how much refrigerant you need, and your location can affect the cost of a refrigerant recharge for your home air conditioner or heat pump.
By Anne Fonda
Your central air conditioner or heat pump uses refrigerant to cool (and heat in the case of heat pumps) your home. Over the years of wear and tear, the system may need a home AC refrigerant recharge.
How do I know I even need a refrigerant recharge?
A refrigerant recharge is not part of normal heat pump or air conditioner maintenance. The only reason you would need one is if you have a refrigerant leak or the AC unit or heat pump was improperly charged at installation.
Some signs you might need a home AC recharge include:
- Frozen evaporator coil
- Hissing or bubbling noise near the refrigerant lines
- The unit runs nonstop
- The AC unit is blowing warm air
- Sudden higher cooling costs without a rate increase or higher temperatures
A trained HVAC professional has the expertise and equipment to determine if you have a refrigerant leak, if you need a refrigerant recharge, and how much you need.
How do I know what kind of refrigerant my AC unit uses?
If you have your owner’s manual for your air conditioner or heat pump, it will say there. You can also find the nameplate on the side or back of the unit and look for R-22/HCFC-22 or R-410A, the two most recent refrigerants to be used before the transition to R-454B.
What home AC recharge price can I expect to pay?
How much you pay for a home AC recharge (and again, we’re including heat pumps here) will depend on several factors, including:
- Whether you need R-22 refrigerant or R-410A refrigerant
- How much refrigerant you need – just topping things off with a few pounds will cost less than if you need a full recharge.
- Where you live and local labor costs
- Regulatory and local fees
The best way to find out what reasonable refrigerant recharge pricing is in your area is to work with a local HVAC professional. You can get more than one estimate if the price seems steep.
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How much is R-22 per pound?
Since R-22/Freon® was phased out, prices have risen over the years and will continue to rise. In 2025, R-22 can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per pound installed. In general, cooling systems require 2-4 pounds per ton of capacity.
Remember, the AC unit Freon® recharge cost will include the cost of the service call and labor in addition to the cost of the refrigerant itself.
Where can I buy R-22/Freon® for my home AC?
Not just anyone can buy home AC refrigerants. Whether in a supply store or online, only HVAC technicians or an HVAC company representative meet the requirements to buy or handle R-22. The refrigerant sales restrictions are spelled out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
Online wholesalers will ask you to certify that you have the required certification or that you will give the refrigerant to an HVAC technician. But don’t expect an HVAC company to use your supplies.
We’ve heard of some HVAC companies that won’t even bother to recharge an old R-22 system. Instead, they will quote you a new system. That’s because the only reason you need a recharge is you have a refrigerant leak. On top of that, since R-22 systems were only manufactured before 2010, these systems are at least 15 years old.
Check out our blog on signs you need AC replacement for more information.
How much is R-410A per pound?
Supplies of R-410A are more plentiful, so the price per pound is lower than for R-22. But R-410A is being phased out as well, and prices will rise as supplies dwindle. You can expect to pay $40-$90 per pound installed. A full recharge will require 2-4 pounds per ton of capacity.
Remember, the cost to recharge your home AC unit with R-410A will include the cost of the service call and labor in addition to the cost of the refrigerant itself.
Where can I buy R-410A?
Again, if you’re a homeowner, you can’t legally buy your own supply of refrigerant. See the answer above. It is technically illegal for a homeowner to buy, possess, or handle AC refrigerants unless they have a Section 608 Technician Certification. There are fines involved.
However, some online wholesalers will sell it to you if you check a box certifying that you plan to give it to a certified technician to recharge your unit. But don’t expect an HVAC company to use your supplies.
A refrigerant recharge should only be performed by an HVAC professional
Refrigerants can be dangerous if not handled correctly. HVAC technicians undergo specialized training and wear the protective gear required to perform an AC refrigerant recharge. This is not a DIY job.
Should you repair or replace your AC unit or heat pump?
This is a decision where you need to weigh some pros and cons. If your air conditioner or heat pump is 15+ years old, it may be on its last legs. Have you been paying more and more for more frequent repairs? If your system is old and repair costs are rising, you may want to consider putting that money into a new, more energy-efficient air conditioning system.
In addition, new systems use R-454B refrigerant, a more sustainable refrigerant with a lower global warming potential (GWP) than its predecessors.
Consult our Repair or Replace Guide for some tips.
Work with the HVAC experts
If your air conditioner or heat pump isn’t cooling as it should, a refrigerant leak could be to blame. You may need a refrigerant recharge, but you also may need to consider replacing your HVAC system. Work with the HVAC experts to find the best long-lasting solutions for your home.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Kimberly Sexton, Senior Systems Engineer
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