How Much Does It Cost to Replace a TXV Valve? [2024 Data]

What Is a TXV Valve?

A thermostatic expansion valve (or TXV) manages the amount of liquid refrigerant flowing through the air conditioning system. When the refrigerant in your AC gets to the TXV valve, it is high-pressured and in liquid form. The TXV functions like a spray nozzle—it restricts the flow of the refrigerant passing through to the evaporator. This restriction causes the refrigerant to go from high pressure to low pressure. This restriction also keeps the liquid refrigerant from getting into spots that it shouldn’t, like your air conditioner compressor. 

So what does all of this mean to you? The TXV valve is an essential part of your AC unit, and without a properly functioning one, your AC could become very inefficient or break down completely. That’s why servicing your AC at least once a year is critical to keeping your home cool.

What Are the Symptoms of a Bad TXV Valve?

There are a few noticeable symptoms of a bad expansion valve. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that these symptoms often could be indicative of other problems, so it’s best to leave the diagnosis to a local AC technician in your area.

• Unusual banging or clanking noises coming from the AC unit

• Weakened AC performance

• AC blowing hot air

• AC freezing up with visible ice on coils or TXV valve 

• AC compressor not turning off

• AC running longer than usual 

• AC system switches off immediately after turning on

• Poor airflow

If you start noticing one (or many) of these problems, it’s best to turn the AC unit off until it can be assessed, as continued operation might worsen the situation. Because of its complexity—and unless you’ve worked in HVAC before—you most likely aren’t too familiar with this valve. Leave the process to an experienced professional and pay for the HVAC repair cost. 

Expansion Valve Replacement Cost Breakdown

The cost for an AC expansion valve replacement is typically pretty straightforward. In most cases, you’ll have to pay for the part and the hourly labor to install it.

Materials

You can purchase TXV expansion valves for $100 to $300. How much you'll pay depends on the specific brand or type of TXV valve you'll need to purchase for your AC system. Consult the manual from the manufacturer to determine which TXV expansion valve you'll need to purchase. If you want to avoid buying the part yourself, your AC pro will be able to provide it and charge you accordingly. 

Labor

Generally, you can expect to pay $200 to $400 for the labor for this project. Some expansion valves are more difficult to access, which can make the job take longer. Therefore, the additional time will add to the price for labor and result in you paying on the higher end. In most cases, however, you're looking at a two- to three-hour job, and you’ll likely pay about $100 to $150 per hour for a pro to do the work.

Cost to Replace an Expansion Valve Yourself

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If you do the job yourself, the only expense you'll have is the cost of the part, so you could potentially save a few hundred dollars. However, this job is not a great candidate for a DIY project, even if you're relatively handy.

The cost of the TXV valve alone makes up the majority of the overall cost, ranging from $100 to $300. Since not all valves fit all AC models, you’ll have to know the specific model to purchase, which can get complicated if you don’t have the AC manual.

Beyond the monetary cost is the cost of your time. If you’re not very confident in the skills and tools it takes to complete this job, it’s best to call a pro. You might spend hours on a project that’s difficult to complete, or it’s possible you could inadvertently create a more significant issue. In addition, depending on the warranty that you have on your AC, any DIY damage done could actually void your warranty.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for TXV Valve Replacement

Realistically speaking, this is the type of project that shouldn’t be DIYed. Replacing an expansion valve takes tools, gauges, and professional expertise, so it's generally not a good idea for most people to try on their own. Just the cost of the tools required to do the job can range from $4,000 to $5,000 and can’t be bought from your local hardware store. This project involves getting deep into the guts of your AC system, removing the valve with the proper tools, replacing it with the new one, and hooking everything back up.

Even for a professional, it can take hours to replace the valve properly. Contacting an HVAC professional to get the job done could save you a lot of time. A pro can also replace your refrigerant to prevent the new TXV valve from failing and may be able to do an AC unit tune-up or AC repair while they’re at it.

“A competent HVAC pro will not only fix your problem but can actually save you money compared to doing it yourself,” says Robert Tschudi, Expert Review Board member and North Carolina-based home builder and remodeler. “Not only do the pros get good discounts on parts, but they know the most efficient way to get you up and running again.”