AC compressor replacement. Here's exactly what it costs.
- Flat-rate price — parts, labor, tax, and everything included
- Price confirmed in writing before we start
- 1-year warranty on compressor replacement
- Clubb 33 members — $3,000 repair credit applied per visit
The compressor is the heart of your AC system.
Your AC system works by cycling refrigerant between your indoor and outdoor units. The compressor is what makes that happen — it pressurizes the refrigerant so the system can move heat out of your home.
When the compressor fails, the system stops cooling entirely. It’s the most significant repair in residential HVAC — and in Las Vegas, the extreme heat and long runtimes mean compressors work harder here than almost anywhere else in the country.
Signs your compressor may be failing
- AC is running but not cooling — or cooling much less than it should
- System trips the breaker when it tries to start
- Loud grinding, clanking, or rattling from the outdoor unit
- Hard start — takes several attempts before the system comes on
- Refrigerant pressure readings outside normal range
Not all compressors are built the same way.
Here's the difference
When we replace a compressor we match the correct type to your system. Understanding which type you have helps explain why systems behave differently — and why some fail the way they do.
Scroll Compressor
Standard on all modern systems
How it works:
Two spiral-shaped scrolls — one fixed, one orbiting — compress the refrigerant as it moves through the spirals. Smooth, continuous compression with very few moving parts.
Advantages:
- Quieter operation — fewer moving parts means less vibration and noise
- More efficient — continuous compression is smoother than the piston action of a reciprocating unit
- More reliable — fewer parts means fewer things that can wear out
- Handles liquid slugging better — more forgiving if refrigerant or oil enters the compressor
- Standard on all systems installed from the late 1990s onward
Found in: All modern residential HVAC systems — Amana, RUUD, Goodman, Trane, and all other current brands.
Reciprocating Compressor
Found on older systems — pre-2000s
How it works:
Works like a car engine — pistons move up and down inside cylinders to compress the refrigerant. More moving parts, more mechanical complexity.
Characteristics:
- More moving parts — pistons, valves, connecting rods — more wear points over time
- Louder operation — the piston action creates more vibration than scroll compression
- Less efficient — more energy is lost in the piston stroke cycle
- Less forgiving of liquid slugging — liquid in the cylinder can cause catastrophic failure
- Still repairable — replacement compressors are available for older systems
Found in: Older residential systems generally installed before the late 1990s. If your system is 20+ years old it may have a reciprocating compressor.
Which type does your system have?
If your system was installed in the last 20 years it almost certainly has a scroll compressor. If it's older, your technician will identify the type during diagnosis. Either way we carry both — and we match the correct replacement to your system.
One important note: scroll and reciprocating compressors are not interchangeable. The replacement must match the original type, refrigerant, tonnage, and voltage specifications.
Which Refrigerant Does Your System Use?
The type of refrigerant your system uses is the other key factor that determines compressor cost. Here’s a plain-English guide:
| Type | Era | Systems that use it | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-410A | 2010–2023 | Most homes in Las Vegas. Standard split systems and package units installed over the last decade. | Lower cost — widely available |
| R-32 | 2023+ | Newest high-efficiency systems. Amana and Goodman 14+ SEER2 equipment. | Similar to R-410A |
| R-22 | Before 2010 | Older systems. R-22 is no longer manufactured — limited recycled supply remains. | Higher cost — limited supply |
| R-407C | Varies | Used as an R-22 replacement in some older systems. | Moderate — similar to R-410A |
Not sure which refrigerant your system uses?
It's printed on the yellow data plate on your outdoor unit. Your technician will also identify it at the start of every service call.
Clubb 33 members: $3,000 repair credit applied per visit.
All R-410A compressors 2–3.5 ton = $0 out of pocket for members. Larger sizes pay only the balance above $3,000. Not a member yet?
R-410A Compressors | Systems installed 2010–2023
Scroll compressor — standard on all modern systems. R-410A is widely available and the most straightforward replacement.
| Size | Standard | Club 33 | You Save | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Ton | $2,480 | $0 | $2,480 | Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 2.4 Ton | $2,570 | $0 | $2,570 | Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 3 Ton | $2,730 | $0 | $2,730 | Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 3.5 Ton | $2,870 | $0 | $2,870 | Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 4 Ton | $3,210 |
$210 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 5 Ton | $3,330 |
$330 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
R-22 / R-407C Compressors |
Systems installed before 2010
Scroll or reciprocating compressor depending on age. Limited supply of R-22 refrigerant drives cost higher. If your system runs on R-22 it is worth having a conversation about whether replacement makes more sense than repair.
| Size | Standard | Club 33 | You Save | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Ton | $3,430 |
$430 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 2.4 Ton | $3,240 |
$240 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 3 Ton | $3,960 |
$960 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 3.5 Ton | $4,400 |
$1,400 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 4 Ton | $4,040 |
$1,040 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
| 5 Ton | $4,410 |
$1,410 after $3k credit |
$3,000 vs standard |
Filter drier, recovery, evacuation, recharge, startup & system test |
1-year warranty on all compressor replacements.
5-year warranty on the full installation from Orange Air.
Price confirmed before any work begins. NV Contractor License #XXXXXX.
What's Included in Every Compressor Replacement
We don’t just swap the compressor and leave. Every replacement includes a complete service process to make sure the repair lasts.
| What we do | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| New compressor installed | Removed and replaced with a new OEM-compatible compressor matched to your system tonnage, compressor type, refrigerant type, and voltage. |
| Filter drier replaced | Every compressor replacement includes a new filter drier — removes moisture and contaminants introduced during the repair. Skipping this shortens the new compressor life significantly. |
| Refrigerant recovery | Existing refrigerant is properly recovered before the system is opened — EPA compliant handling every time. |
| System evacuation | After the repair the system is deep-evacuated to remove air and moisture before recharging. This step separates a quality compressor job from a poor one. |
| System recharge | Refrigerant is charged to the correct weight per manufacturer specifications for your tonnage and system type — not estimated. |
| Startup & performance test | Full system startup with before-and-after pressure readings and a temperature split measurement to confirm the system is cooling correctly. |
Should You Repair or Replace?
A failed compressor doesn’t automatically mean you need a new system. Here’s how we think about it — and how we’ll present it to you honestly.
Compressor replacement makes sense when:
- System is under 10 years old
- Rest of the system — coils, motors, controls — is in good condition
- Refrigerant type is still readily available (R-410A or newer)
- Compressor cost is well below the cost of a new system
- System was well-maintained and failed unexpectedly
A new system may make more sense when:
- System is 12–15+ years old
- Other components are also showing wear — coils, heat exchanger, blower
- System runs on R-22 and compressor failures are recurring
- Compressor cost approaches or exceeds the cost of a new system
- Efficiency gains from a new system would meaningfully reduce utility bills
We're repair-first.
If your compressor is worth replacing, we'll tell you. If a new system makes more financial sense, we'll tell you that too — with the numbers to back it up. We don't make money by selling you a new system you don't need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a compressor replacement take?
Most compressor replacements are completed in 3–5 hours on the same visit. We carry common compressor sizes on the truck. If your exact size needs to be sourced, we'll let you know the timeline upfront.
Does it matter whether my system has a scroll or reciprocating compressor?
Yes — the replacement compressor must match the original type. Scroll and reciprocating compressors are not interchangeable. That's why diagnosis comes first. We identify the correct unit before we quote anything.
How do I know what size compressor I need?
Your technician determines the correct tonnage, compressor type, and refrigerant type from your system's data plate and model number. You don't need to know this — we handle it.
Is the compressor covered by my manufacturer warranty?
If your system is within the manufacturer's parts warranty period — typically 10 years when registered — the compressor part itself may be covered. Labor is not covered by the manufacturer warranty. We'll check your warranty status before we start.
My system is only 4 years old — how did the compressor fail?
In Las Vegas, extreme heat and long runtimes put enormous stress on compressors. A failed capacitor or contactor that wasn't caught early is one of the most common root causes — it forces the compressor to hard-start repeatedly until it fails. That's exactly why maintenance visits matter.
Can I just add refrigerant instead of replacing the compressor?
If the compressor has failed mechanically, adding refrigerant won't fix it. If the issue is low refrigerant from a slow leak with an otherwise healthy compressor, recharging may be the right call. Your technician diagnoses which situation you're in before recommending anything.
What happens if I don't replace a failed compressor?
Without a working compressor the system cannot cool at all. Leaving a failed system running can also damage other components. In a Las Vegas summer, get it looked at quickly.
Think your compressor has failed?
Call or text 702-604-8092 and we'll get a technician out to diagnose it. We'll tell you exactly what's wrong, give you the flat-rate price, and let you decide — no pressure.
Flat-rate price. 1-year warranty. Confirmed before we start.