True Cost Guide Heating & Cooling Repair or Replace a Condenser Fan

How Much Does AC Fan Motor Replacement Cost?

Typical Range:

$300 - $600

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated August 11, 2022

Written by HomeAdvisor.

An AC fan motor replacement costs $450 on average, including labor. The job may cost as little as $100 if your motor is under warranty or up to $700 if not. The condenser fan motor in your air conditioner unit keeps the compressor from overheating by cooling the refrigerant that moves through the system. If not repaired in time, it may cost you up to $1,600 to repair both parts.

Typical Cost to Replace a Condenser Fan Motor

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$450	$700	$100

Condenser Fan Motor Prices

For the part alone, AC fan motors cost anywhere from $60 to $220, with most AC warranties lasting for five to 10 years. You’ll only pay for labor if your unit is covered, so you can subtract the cost of the motor from your total project budget to figure out how much you’ll pay. However, you might not qualify for a warranty if you don’t regularly service your AC unit.

Prices by Brand

The cost of a new AC condenser fan motor unit will vary by brand. The table below shows the average price ranges for AC condenser fan motors from several of the HVAC industry’s most popular brands.

Brand	Average Price Range for Unit
Carrier	$80 – $700
Comfortmaker	$140 – $500
Goodman	$70 – $350
Lennox	$100 – $700
Rheem	$120 – $500
Trane	$130 – $700
York	$130 – $300

Condenser Fan Motor Replacement Cost Factors

Several factors can influence AC motor replacement costs, including the season you need to replace your condenser motor, the original equipment manufacturer, any diagnostic fees, and whether you have a service bundle. Read below to learn more about each significant cost factor.

Season

AC systems are more likely to break down when overworked, which tends to happen during the warmer months. AC repair pros near you will be in high demand during summer, especially if you live in a particularly hot climate. As a result, they tend to raise their labor prices for the season.

OEM vs. Non-OEM Parts

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer and refers to parts designed by your AC manufacturer to fit your specific system. Because of this reason, OEM parts tend to cost more than non-OEM parts, but they're often necessary to maintain your system's warranty. When gathering quotes from local HVAC techs, ask whether they use OEM parts in their repairs.

Diagnostic Fees

Most pros charge inspection fees to provide a quote before performing repairs. These range from $50 to $150 and may be waived by whichever pro you choose for the job. If you’re getting multiple quotes, you’ll pay a separate fee for each. Choose a pro who has experience replacing condenser fan motors and provides customer referrals and an upfront written estimate.

Service Bundles

Some HVAC companies offer discounts if you bundle your AC maintenance with other services, such as a local dryer vent cleaning service. You can take preventive measures against condenser fan motor replacement by having a tech perform routine maintenance on your HVAC system.

Compare Estimates From AC Repair Pros

Other AC Fan Motor Replacement Costs

In addition to your condenser fan motor, you may need to have other parts of your AC system repaired or replaced, depending on the problems you’re experiencing.

Blower Motor

Replacing an AC blower motor costs most homeowners around $450, but prices could range from $150 to $2,000. The blower motor serves both your AC and your furnace. This type of HVAC fan blows air over the heating and evaporator coils.

Compressor

The cost to replace an AC compressor is usually $1,200 but could cost up to $2,800. It’s important to fix your condenser motor immediately at first signs of any issues because it can otherwise damage your compressor. Since compressors are much more expensive to replace, it pays to get your condenser fan taken care of.

DIY HVAC Fan Motor Replacement vs. Hiring a Professional

It might cost less to replace a condenser fan motor on your own, but not if you don’t have the necessary HVAC expertise. An improper replacement can damage the compressor and lead to even higher costs.

Calling a pro can also guarantee a faster replacement since they’re more likely to have parts on hand. Depending on your AC unit, you might have to order a condenser fan motor from the manufacturer. In the middle of July or August, you won’t want to spend more time sweltering in the heat than you have to. Contact an HVAC repair company near you to stay cool.

FAQs

If you're replacing a fan motor in an HVAC condenser, what else should you replace?

A professional HVAC specialist will also replace the AC’s run capacitor, which runs the condenser motor. This might cost anywhere from $10 to $150, on top of the condenser repair.

If the specialist sees any other issues, they’ll let you know before moving forward. Additional AC repairs cost between $170 and $560, depending on the issue.

What is a condenser fan motor?

A condenser fan motor is the part of your air conditioner that keeps the compressor from overheating. It pulls heat from the unit to cool the superheated refrigerant that moves through the condenser coils of your AC. This helps the unit blow cool air and keeps the entire system running smoothly.

What causes AC fan motor failure?

The most common causes of AC fan motor failure are the following:

Loss of lubricant in the system due to extreme heat
Rusted or leaking run capacitor
Failed bearing in the belt drive due to lack of lubrication
Water dripping into the motor windings during a storm or washing
Voltage problem

How long do AC fan motors last?

Air conditioner fan motors last about 12 years on average, though they can last longer if maintained well. This includes keeping them clean and cooled as needed with annual air conditional checkups. The average cost of AC servicing is $75 to $200.