How Much Will It Cost to Add R-410A Refrigerant to My AC? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $140 - $380
R410a freon replacement costs around $260, on average, and most homeowners pay between $140 and $380, depending on the quantity and location.
R-410A refrigerant costs anywhere from about $140 to $380 per 25-pound container. Costs rise in the summer when the demand for indoor cooling surges. To replace R-410A refrigerant, you can expect to pay an average of $260, including labor.
- Average
- $260
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $650
R-410A Refrigerant Regulations
While many use the terms “R-410A” and “Freon” interchangeably, Freon is DuPont’s brand name. As the EPA began its phase-out of R-22 Freon—previously the most common type of refrigerant—the use of R-410A’s began to rise. However, you can’t just add R-410A to your R-22 air conditioner. Stores of R-22 should take care of older AC units until the end of their useful lives. When your R-22 unit is no longer fully operational and it’s time to upgrade, your new unit will require R-410A refrigerant.
As of January 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required that no new hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) will be made or imported into the United States, but homeowners are still permitted to maintain their existing units. Since R-410A is a type of HCFC, you may have trouble finding a replacement refrigerant or a pro available to recharge it. In these scenarios, it may be more cost-effective to upgrade your entire unit.
How Much Is R-410A Refrigerant per Pound?
R-410A refrigerant costs approximately $8 to $12 per pound or about $200 to $300 per 25-pound container. Starting in 2020, the EPA banned the import and purchase of R-22 Freon. If you have an older unit that takes R-22 refrigerant, you can’t simply add R-410A because of the pressure differences between the two products. Instead, you’ll need to discuss alternatives with your local HVAC technician, and you might need to upgrade your AC unit.
| Container Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 lbs | $50–$180 |
| 25 lbs | $200–$300 |
| 50 lbs | $400–$600 |
| 100 lbs | $800–$1,200 |
Average Cost of R-410A Refrigerant by Location
The cost of adding R-410A refrigerant to your home’s air conditioning unit varies from place to place in the U.S. You can expect to see the following regional price ranges for recharging your unit.
| Location | R-410A Average Cost (Material Only) |
|---|---|
| Long Beach, CA | $150–$530 |
| Denver, CO | $240–$400 |
| St. Louis, MO | $130–$270 |
| Chicago, IL | $230–$390 |
| New York, NY | $200–$400 |
| Boston, MA | $100–$160 |
| Durham, NC | $550 |
| Dallas, TX | $100–$270 |
Cost to Recharge an AC Unit With R-410A
As a general rule, you shouldn’t need to add refrigerant or Freon to your air conditioning unit. Although they’re uncommon, refrigerant leaks and malfunctioning parts can result in the need to replace or replenish the refrigerant. Several different factors can affect how much it will cost to recharge your home AC unit with R-410A.
Federal law prohibits the handling of refrigerant without a license. Ask your pro if they are “Section 608 certified,” which means they are trained and licensed by the EPA to recharge your air conditioner with refrigerant. The labor costs for this work average anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour. Your exact cost will depend on your location and whether your AC unit is experiencing any associated problems.
A standard recharge should only take an experienced HVAC pro a couple of hours to complete. If damage is spotted, like a broken TXV valve, expect the job to take longer.
| Total Hours | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 | $300–$600 |
| 4 | $400–$900 |
| 6 | $500–$1,200 |
Can I Add R-410A Refrigerant to My Own AC?
If your air conditioning unit develops a leak or is losing cooling power, you’ll want to hire a local HVAC pro to handle the job. Look for an experienced pro with the necessary EPA certifications to work with refrigerants, as required by law. Incorrectly DIYing this project can lead to costly repairs—and AC units are a relatively big investment—so call a pro, and get back to enjoying cool air in your home.
How You Can Save Money on R-410A
The best way to save money on R-410A refrigerant is to keep your air conditioner in excellent working order and schedule annual inspections before the hottest part of the year. Spotting problems before turning on your AC unit helps avoid bigger issues during the heaviest use period, which will typically come with higher costs for service than during the off-season.
During an annual checkup, your HVAC technician can tell whether the refrigerant levels need to be adjusted and can usually take care of that on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
When your HVAC technician mentions recharging your home AC unit, they’re referring to the process of topping off the unit with refrigerant, so the levels are properly maintained and pressurized. Normally, a properly functioning AC unit doesn’t need additional refrigerant, but AC units can develop leaks or other problems that decrease the amount of refrigerant needed.
Because of pressurization differences, you should not add R-410A refrigerant to R-22 AC units. In fact, doing so will break the unit. As of 2010, no newly manufactured home AC unit can use R-22 Freon, and as of 2020, the US doesn’t allow the import and manufacture of R-22. If your unit was made and purchased after 2010, it’s safe to use R-410A refrigerant. If it is older, you may need to update or replace the unit.
A home AC unit provides anywhere from one-half to five tons of cooling and requires approximately two to four pounds of refrigerant per ton of cooling. At approximately five to 10 minutes to fill one pound of refrigerant, a home that requires three tons of cooling will take about six to 12 pounds of refrigerant and approximately 30 minutes to two hours to completely recharge the unit.