Replacing an expansion valve costs around $400, in most cases, and most projects fall between $350 and $450.
Expect an average TXV valve replacement cost to run you $400 to get the job done, but it may cost as little as $100 or as much as $800. Your total cost depends on where you live, the size of your air conditioner, the time of year, and additional repairs.
Nothing ruins a hot day more than an AC that doesn't work correctly. If your air conditioner’s TXV valve goes bad, you'll need to replace it to keep your unit functioning properly. Here’s what to include in your repair budget.
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 to low pressure and 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 inefficient or break down completely. That’s why servicing your AC at least once a year is critical to keeping your home cool.
The cost for an AC expansion valve replacement is pretty straightforward. In most cases, you’ll have to pay for the part and the hourly labor to install it. A local air conditioner installer can source the right parts and get the replacement done.
TXV expansion valves cost $100 to $300. The price depends on the specific brand or type of TXV valve you need for your AC system. Consult the manufacturer's manual to determine which TXV expansion valve you'll need to purchase. If you want to avoid buying the part yourself, your AC pro can provide it and charge you accordingly.
Expect to pay $200 to $400 for the labor for this project. Some expansion valves are more difficult to access, making the job take longer and increasing the price of labor.
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.
The larger your air conditioning unit, the larger the TXV valve will be. Larger valves cost more and can be more labor-intensive to install. In contrast, smaller AC units have smaller, less expensive parts, and installation can be less costly.
For example, TXV valve replacement costs for a single-home air conditioner fall between $300 and $800. In contrast, the same service on commercial-sized air conditioners averages $700 to $2,000.
Most people notice problems with their air conditioners during the hot summer months. Summer is the peak season for air conditioner repairs, including TXV repair and replacement. Service companies are busiest at this time, so expect to pay around $200 more and wait for an appointment during peak season. To avoid this, have a pro inspect your AC during offseason months and proactively do repairs when costs are lower and wait times are shorter.
Labor costs rise when the job takes longer, and hard-to-reach air conditioning units take longer to work on. If your AC unit is in your attic or crawl space or it’s a tight fit to reach it, air conditioning repair pros may need to charge more for their time. This is an important factor to remember when installing new units—while you might want them tucked away and out of sight, it can be costly in the future if they need repairs like a TXV valve replacement.
Since labor is a big part of TXV replacement costs, where you live matters. Expect to pay more for labor in urban areas and places with higher living costs. On the flip side, if you live in a rural area, you might pay less for labor, but you could incur travel fees if AC repair technicians have to travel a long way.
You might pay more for work and materials covered by installer and manufacturer guarantees, but you can also save money if there’s a problem with parts or labor covered by warranties. If your AC unit is newer and still under warranty or you recently had your TXV valve replaced, talk with the original installer about warranty coverage and who will be responsible for the repair.
While your contractor is fixing your TXV valve, they could find other components and parts of your HVAC system that need to be replaced or are wearing out. It’s smart to have these repairs and replacements done at the same time since you’ll likely save on labor costs.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Preventative maintenance | $75–$200 |
| Refrigerant leak repairs | $250–$1,500 |
| Refrigerant recharging | $100–$500 |
| AC transformer replacement | $200–$600 |
| Clogged coil cleaning | $100–$400 |
| Capacitor replacement | $100–$250 |
| Evaporator and condenser coil replacement | $400–$1,500 |
There are a few noticeable symptoms of a bad expansion valve. It’s important to remember, though, that these symptoms often could indicate other problems, so it’s best to leave the diagnosis to an AC repair company near you.
Banging or clanking noises coming from the AC unit
Weakened AC performance
AC is freezing up with visible ice on coils or TXV valve
AC compressor is not turning off
AC is 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 invest in the HVAC repair cost.
If you do the job yourself, the only expense you'll have is the cost of the part, so you could save a few hundred dollars. Since not all valves fit all AC models, you’ll have to know which model to purchase, which can get complicated if you don’t have the AC manual. However, this is not a DIYable job and the required tools are costly.
Beyond the monetary cost is the cost of your time. If you’re not 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 you could inadvertently create a more significant issue. In addition, any DIY damage could void your warranty.
Replacing an expansion valve takes tools, gauges, and professional expertise, so it's not a good idea for most people to try it 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 a new one, and hooking everything back up.
Even for a professional, replacing the valve can take hours. A pro can also replace your refrigerant to prevent the new TXV valve from failing and may be able to do an AC unit tuneup 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 homebuilder 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.”
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In most cases, you can repair a TXV valve. However, this may not be the best use of your money. Both a repair and a replacement of a TXV valve can be costly, so if your part is bad, it may be a better use of your money and your pro’s time to buy a brand-new one that you know works perfectly.
In most cases, a TXV valve replacement takes two to three hours, depending on how easy it is to access the valve on the AC unit. Your HVAC pro might “pump down” the refrigerant in your AC to make this process quicker and less expensive, though it’s recommended that you replace it entirely.
A frosty expansion valve that isn't blowing out cool air is a sure sign that it’s time to replace it. It might also be time to replace the TXV valve if your AC unit switches off soon after turning on or if you have poor airflow in your home.
Impurities, high pressure, and extreme temperatures can all cause an expansion valve to fail over time. It may become clogged or stuck open, which will cause the air conditioner to stop working properly. It’s important to schedule routine HVAC maintenance to help find any potential problems before they escalate.
