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How much does AC refrigerant recharge (R-410A) cost in California?
Updated September 2026 · California price index 1.14 for HVAC work (national = 1.00)
In California, an HVAC company typically charges $115 to $1,050 for an AC refrigerant recharge with R-410A, with most jobs landing near $400. That is about 14% above the national average of $100–$900, based on what HVAC technicians earn in California.
AI-powered second opinion using these same California figures. No account, no card. Need someone to do the work? Verified pros in California took the Fair Price Pledge.
What a California quote means
| Quote for this job | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under $69 | Suspiciously low — ask what is excluded, and check licensing and insurance |
| $69 – $1,155 | Fair price — inside the typical range (up to 10% over the top is still normal) |
| $1,155 – $1,838 | Running high — get the quote itemized, and get a second one |
| Over $1,838 | Ripoff territory — more than 1.75× the high end of the typical range |
Same rules the QuoteJury checker uses on every quote.
What you're paying for
What is usually included: A service visit, pressure and temperature readings, and adding refrigerant by the pound (typically 2–4 lb for a low system).
What moves the price:
- Refrigerant type and price per pound: R-410A is common; older R-22 systems cost far more to charge
- How many pounds the system is short
- Whether a leak search and repair is included — a system that is low has a leak, and recharging alone is a temporary fix
- Diagnostic fee and after-hours rates
Pounds needed (system tonnage and how low it is), refrigerant type (R-22 is 3-5x R-410A per lb), and whether a leak search/repair is bundled; a recharge without finding the leak is a red flag.
AC refrigerant recharge (R-410A) cost across California
Typical range by metro and rural area, from BLS wage data for HVAC technicians in each area.
| Area | Typical range | Most jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $105 – $930 | $360 |
| Chico, CA | $100 – $900 | $350 |
| El Centro, CA | $110 – $990 | $380 |
| Fresno, CA | $100 – $890 | $350 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $100 – $900 | $350 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115 – $1,050 | $400 |
| Merced, CA | $100 – $910 | $350 |
| Modesto, CA | $105 – $930 | $360 |
| Napa, CA | $125 – $1,100 | $430 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $110 – $980 | $380 |
| Redding, CA | $100 – $910 | $350 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $100 – $920 | $360 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $110 – $980 | $380 |
| Salinas, CA | $110 – $980 | $380 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $115 – $1,050 | $410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125 – $1,150 | $450 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $135 – $1,200 | $470 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $115 – $1,000 | $390 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $120 – $1,050 | $410 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $115 – $1,050 | $410 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $120 – $1,100 | $420 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $110 – $1,000 | $390 |
| Vallejo, CA | $110 – $990 | $390 |
| Visalia, CA | $100 – $910 | $350 |
| Yuba City, CA | $100 – $910 | $350 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $100 – $920 | $360 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $105 – $960 | $370 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $100 – $890 | $350 |
Frequently asked
Is $400 a fair price for AC refrigerant recharge (R-410A) in California?
Yes. $400 is right around what most homeowners in California pay. Anything from $69 to $1,155 is inside the normal range for an HVAC company; above $1,155 it is worth getting a second quote.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Refrigerant type and price per pound: R-410A is common; older R-22 systems cost far more to charge. How many pounds the system is short. Company overhead matters too: a large company with trucks, dispatchers and a warranty department charges more than a one-person shop, and both can be honest prices.
When should I get a second quote?
Any time a quote lands above $1,155, or when the contractor cannot break it into parts, labor and fees. Ask for the itemized version, ask what would change the price, and confirm licensing and insurance. You can also paste the quote into the free QuoteJury checker for an instant second opinion.
Other HVAC jobs in California
- AC capacitor replacement
- AC contactor replacement
- Condenser fan motor replacement
- Furnace or air handler blower motor replacement
- Evaporator coil replacement
- AC compressor replacement
- AC condenser (outdoor unit) replacement
- Full central AC system replacement (~3 tons)
- Gas furnace replacement
- Furnace ignitor or flame sensor replacement
- Smart thermostat installation
- Single-zone ductless mini-split installation
- HVAC service call and diagnostic fee
AC refrigerant recharge (R-410A) in other states
United States (national) · Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming
Sources
- Angi (2026): $200–$500 nationally
- Forbes Home (2024): $100–$600 nationally
- Fixr (2025): $250–$900 nationally
- HomeGuide (2025): $100–$600 nationally
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 — median hourly wages by state and metro area
About these numbers. Ranges are typical market rates for a licensed, insured contractor, blended from published U.S. cost guides and adjusted with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data (OEWS, May 2025) for each state and metro area. They are estimates, not a bid, appraisal or inspection. Real prices move with parts, access, permits and code requirements. The quote checker is AI-powered and labeled as such.