You might think that replacing your AC condenser is going to cost you an arm and a leg, but really, most HVAC experts will only charge you a kidney. In all reality, replacing your condenser is probably a lot cheaper than you think. It’s definitely cheaper than paying for an entire new AC unit, which could easily cost you $5000, depending on the size of your house. And you probably have a lot better things to use a grand for.

An actual condenser itself is still pretty pricey, but unless you like sweating all summer, it’s necessary to replace it if it’s shot. Most condensers themselves run about $1000, which is probably more than you want to pay — until summer comes. It can be tempting to replace your AC condenser yourself, considering how much labor costs, but remember that you’ll be handling freon and dangerous components. Unless you know what you’re doing, it might be best to leave it to a professional. With parts and labor, you’re likely to be running about $2000, which is still far cheaper than a new AC unit.

But another bonus to hiring an HVAC expert is that your condenser may not need replacement at all. It’s possible that it may just need repair or the condenser may not even be the problem! It would be super frustrating to replace your condenser only to find out your AC still doesn’t work.

So remember that when you’re paying an HVAC expert to do the work for you, you’re not just paying for labor. You’re paying for expertise — expertise that might end up saving you money.