HVAC cost guide
Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost in 2026: Pricing by AC Tonnage & Coil Style
Evaporator coil replacement typically costs $600 to $2,000 (about $1,350 on average). Compare cost by AC tonnage, coil style, labor, and extras.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Cost Snapshot
$600 – $2,000
Replacing an indoor evaporator coil typically costs between $600 and $2,000, with a published average of about $1,350, according to Angi and HomeAdvisor's 2026 data (Angi's text gives $550 to $2,250). Price rises with system size: HomeAdvisor lists $950 to $1,550 all-in for a 1.5 to 2 ton system and $1,500 to $2,100 for 5 tons. The coil itself runs $550 to $1,100 and labor $400 to $1,000. A Home Depot 3 ton cased coil was listed at $1,128.96 on 2026-10-09. This guide covers the indoor coil only; the outdoor condenser coil is a different job.
Typical planning range based on the published references reviewed for this guide. Use it to prepare questions and compare written, itemized contractor proposals. Actual costs vary with project scope, materials, access, permits, and local conditions.
Parts vs. Labor Breakdown
| Component | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Materials / equipment | $550 – $1,100 | Indoor coil only, by system size: $550 (2 ton) to $1,100 (5 ton) per Angi and HomeAdvisor. A Home Depot Rheem 3 ton cased coil was $1,128.96 on 2026-10-09, above Angi's $850 for 3 tons; whether it is an A-coil and what accessories it includes was not confirmed. |
| Labor | $400 – $1,000 | Technician labor of $400 to $1,000 (about $700 on average) per Angi and HomeAdvisor,. Fixr lists HVAC labor at $75 to $175 per hour. The 3 to 8 hours are a planning assumption. Benchmark: BLS reports a May 2025 national median wage of $29.33 per hour for HVAC mechanics and installers. |
Cost by Capacity & Scope
| Size / scope | Typical coverage | Estimated installed cost | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 to 2 Ton System | Smaller home or one zone | $950 – $1,550 | $1,250 |
| 2.5 Ton System | Mid-size home | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,400 |
| 3 Ton System | Common residential size | $1,250 – $1,850 | $1,550 |
| 3.5 Ton System | Larger home | $1,350 – $1,950 | $1,650 |
| 4 Ton System | Large home | $1,400 – $2,000 | $1,700 |
| 5 Ton System | Very large home | $1,500 – $2,100 | $1,800 |
Cost by Equipment Type & Efficiency
| Type | Spec | Typical cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Coil | Average (Angi) | about $1,300 | Two coil slabs in an A shape inside the air handler or on top of a furnace. |
| N or Z Coil | Average (Angi) | about $1,550 | Folded coil layout. |
| Slab Coil | Average (Angi) | about $1,200 | A single flat coil. |
| Uncased Coil | Average (Angi) | about $800 | A bare coil that fits an existing cabinet. |
| Cased Coil | Average (Angi) | about $1,000 | A coil that arrives in its own cabinet. |
| Outdoor Condenser Coil | Fixr range (Angi lists about $800) | $600 – $2,400 | A different repair: the coil in the outdoor unit, not the indoor coil. |
Additional Line Items Often Needed
| Item | Typical cost | Necessity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Modification | $400 – $1,000 | As Needed | HomeAdvisor's price when the new coil does not fit the existing housing; it may overlap with the labor range. |
| Refrigerant Recharge | $100 – $600 | As Needed | Fixr lists this as a separate service; neither Angi nor HomeAdvisor confirms whether refrigerant is included. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace an evaporator coil?
Angi and HomeAdvisor report a typical range of $600 to $2,000 and an average of about $1,350 in 2026; Angi's text gives $550 to $2,250. Fixr, an independent publisher, lists $400 to $2,700 for replacing an indoor evaporator coil.
How does AC size change the cost?
HomeAdvisor lists all-in prices of $950 to $1,550 for 1.5 to 2 tons, $1,250 to $1,850 for 3 tons, and $1,500 to $2,100 for 5 tons. The coil alone runs $550 for 2 tons up to $1,100 for 5 tons.
Is the evaporator coil the same as the condenser coil?
No. The evaporator coil is indoors and the condenser coil is in the outdoor unit. Fixr lists $400 to $2,700 for the evaporator and $600 to $2,400 for the condenser; Angi lists about $800 for a condenser coil. Do not add the two together.
How much of the price is labor?
Angi and HomeAdvisor list $400 to $1,000 for labor, about $700 on average, which is close to the coil's own price of $550 to $1,100 by size. Neither source confirms whether refrigerant handling is included.
What does a coil cost at a home improvement store?
A Home Depot Rheem 3 ton cased coil was $1,128.96 on 2026-10-09. That is the equipment only and is higher than Angi's $850 unit price for 3 tons; whether it is an A-coil or includes accessories was not confirmed.
Do the sources agree?
Angi and HomeAdvisor belong to the same company and publish the same average, so they count as one source. Angi's page gives $600 to $2,000 and $550 to $2,250 without reconciling them, and HomeAdvisor's 5 ton row reaches $2,100, above its typical $2,000 maximum. Fixr is independent but covers AC repair in general.
Related HVAC cost guides
- AC Compressor Replacement Cost in 2026
- AC Unit Replacement Cost in 2026: Central AC System Benchmark
- Air Duct Cleaning Cost in 2026: Pricing by Home Size & Number of Vents
How we estimate these planning ranges and the sources we review.