Updated October 2026Data from 3,106 completed jobsHablamos español
Tampa Bay HVAC and Plumbing Cost Report (2026)
The short answer: we looked at 3,106 completed jobs from October 2024 to September 2026. The median service visit came to $307. The most common AC repair, a capacitor, had a median of $279. A tank water heater replacement had a median of $1,838, and an AC or heat pump system replacement had a median of $9,050.
The most common replacement in our price book is a 3-ton Goodman at $8,018 to $8,475 installed. The system median sits higher because many Tampa Bay homes need a bigger system or choose a higher tier: 56 of the 178 systems we sized were larger than 3 tons.
Reviewed by Richard Morales, state-certified air conditioning contractor CAC1819196, and Alejandro Morales, state-certified plumbing contractor CFC1431159. Numbers from our own Housecall Pro job records.
Got a quote you are unsure about? Text it to (813) 343-2212
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4.81,300+ Tampa Bay reviews
3,106completed jobs analyzed
$4.99Min completed work ($4,989,189)
133Tampa Bay ZIP codes
3counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco
- AC license CAC1819196
- Plumbing license CFC1431159
- 4.8 stars, 1,300+ reviews
- BBB Accredited, A+ rating
- FREE diagnosis on every service call
- Open 24/7
- Hablamos español
Why we publish this
Real Tampa Bay Prices, Straight From Our Books
Most “what does HVAC cost” articles use national averages nobody can check. This report uses our own records: every job we completed in Housecall Pro from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026, in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Each number is a whole-job ticket, and we show the median (the middle job) and the typical range (the middle half of jobs). Use it as a local benchmark when you get a quote, from us or anyone else. The diagnosis and the estimate are FREE on every service call, at any hour.
Executive summary
Median Prices by Service in Tampa Bay
Every service with 20 or more completed jobs. These are whole-visit tickets, so a visit with two approved repairs counts once at its full total. That is why a median can sit above the price-book price for one part.
| Service | Median visit | Typical range (middle half) | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning and heating | |||
| AC capacitor replacement$299 in our price book. | $279 | $279 to $546 | 162 |
| AC contactor replacement$299 in our price book. | $568 | $294 to $860 | 40 |
| AC drain line clearingDrain line flush $299. | $289 | $269 to $558 | 217 |
| AC tune-up visit$89 per system, every visit. Higher visits included approved repairs. | $299 | $89 to $704 | 412 |
| Condenser fan motor replacement$539 labor only (motor not included). $809 to $909 with a new universal motor. | $849 | $749 to $949 | 58 |
| Blower motor replacement$639 labor only (motor not included). $909 to $969 with a new universal motor, $1,499 ECM. | $849 | $749 to $1,083 | 95 |
| Refrigerant leak repair or rechargeCopper leak repair $1,098 plus refrigerant. | $1,363 | $554 to $2,203 | 169 |
| Thermostat installation$379 to $859 installed. | $599 | $349 to $958 | 73 |
| AC or heat pump system replacement (ducted)Most common: 3-ton Goodman, $8,018 to $8,475 installed. Permit fee billed separately. | $9,050 | $7,547 to $10,913 | 173 |
| Ductless mini split installationSingle zone $2,999 to $9,214 in our price book. | $4,198 | $3,625 to $5,514 | 23 |
| Ductwork replacementR-6 flex $639 per drop. Done in one day. | $6,490 | $3,546 to $10,883 | 66 |
| Plumbing | |||
| Drain cleaning$279 for a fixture drain, $349 for a main line through the cleanout. | $349 | $299 to $658 | 117 |
| Toilet repair or replacementFlapper $279. New toilet $499 to $779. | $479 | $279 to $817 | 120 |
| Faucet or sink repairFaucet replacement labor $299, faucet extra. | $458 | $279 to $658 | 137 |
| Garbage disposal$589 installed (1/2 HP), $739 (3/4 HP). | $549 | $279 to $633 | 21 |
| Plumbing leak repairBasic leak search FREE; repair quoted in writing. | $514 | $299 to $867 | 96 |
| Water softener or whole-home filtrationRheem softener $1,829 to $2,677. Halo 5 $5,913 to $8,063. | $3,032 | $1,484 to $7,239 | 20 |
| Water heaters | |||
| Water heater flush (tank or tankless)$89, with a whole-house plumbing inspection. | $89 | $89 to $89 | 102 |
| Water heater repairValves $299 to $319. Element or thermostat $379. | $349 | $279 to $543 | 31 |
| Water heater replacement (tank)Rheem 40 gallon electric $1,518, 50 gallon $1,845. Permit fee billed separately. | $1,838 | $1,526 to $2,023 | 79 |
| All repair and service visits | |||
| Every non-install visitRepairs, tune-ups, flushes and service calls together. | $307 | $100 to $724 | 2,723 |
The median is the middle job: half cost less, half cost more. The typical range runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. The small line under each service is our current price-book price. Whole-home repipes are left out (fewer than 20 jobs).
Is your quote above these medians? Send it to us for a FREE second opinion before you approve the work. The estimate is FREE.
When Tampa Bay calls
The Busiest Months for AC, Plumbing and Water Heaters
Completed jobs by calendar month, both years added together. Each trade has its own scale, and the busiest month in each trade is labeled.
| Month | AC and heating (2,196 jobs) | Plumbing (674 jobs) | Water heaters (236 jobs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 154 | 37 | 36 |
| February | 161 | 76 | 23 |
| March | 162 | 79Busiest | 25 |
| April | 195 | 75 | 44Busiest |
| May | 237Busiest | 79Busiest | 31 |
| June | 231 | 76 | 17 |
| July | 230 | 54 | 20 |
| August | 205 | 51 | 10 |
| September | 180 | 57 | 12 |
| October | 190 | 34 | 8 |
| November | 143 | 29 | 5 |
| December | 108 | 27 | 5 |
AC calls peak from May to July. May (237), June (231) and July (230) were the three busiest AC and heating months. December was the slowest at 108, less than half of May.
Plumbing is busiest from February to June. Those five months held 385 of 674 plumbing jobs. October to January were the quietest.
Water heater work clusters from January to May. 159 of 236 water heater jobs fell in those months, with April the busiest at 44.
What actually breaks
The Repairs We Make Most Often
How often each part came up across 1,917 HVAC repair visits and 806 plumbing repair visits. Some visits needed more than one part, so the lines add up to more than 100.
11in every 100 HVAC repairswere a clogged drain line or float switch
8in every 100 HVAC repairswere a failed capacitor
14in every 100 plumbing repairswere a drain clog
Air conditioning and heating
Out of 1,917 HVAC repair visits. The price under each line is from our price book.
- Clogged AC drain line or float switchabout 11 in 100 (215 visits)Drain line flush $299.
- Capacitorabout 8 in 100 (160 visits)$279.
- Refrigerantabout 7 in 100 (129 visits)$270 to $300 for up to 3 lbs; more than 3 lbs is billed per pound for the whole charge.
- Blower motorabout 5 in 100 (95 visits)$639 labor only, or $909 to $969 with a new universal motor.
- Evaporator or condenser coilabout 4 in 100 (86 visits)$1,289 labor, coil extra.
- Thermostatabout 4 in 100 (73 visits)$379 to $859 installed.
- Condenser fan motorabout 3 in 100 (60 visits)$539 labor only, or $809 to $909 with a new universal motor.
- Contactorabout 2 in 100 (40 visits)$279.
- Compressorabout 1 in 100 (17 visits)$1,339 labor with a new capacitor, compressor extra.
Plumbing and water heaters
Out of 806 plumbing repair visits. The price under each line is from our price book.
- Drain clogabout 14 in 100 (116 visits)$279 fixture drain, $349 main line.
- Faucet or cartridgeabout 11 in 100 (86 visits)Faucet replacement labor $299, faucet extra.
- Toilet parts (flapper, fill valve, wax ring)about 4 in 100 (32 visits)Flapper $279. Wax ring reset $289.
- Garbage disposalabout 3 in 100 (21 visits)$589 (1/2 HP) or $739 (3/4 HP) installed.
- Water heater valve (T&P, drain, gas)about 2 in 100 (14 visits)Relief or drain valve $279, gas valve $299.
- Water heater element or thermostatabout 1 in 100 (9 visits)$349.
- Expansion tankabout 1 in 100 (7 visits)$349 to $449.
Small parts fail far more often than big ones. A drain line, a capacitor or refrigerant came up in about 26 of every 100 HVAC repair visits; a compressor in about 1. A yearly tune-up, where we flush the drain line and test the capacitor, catches many of these early.
Prices by county
Repair and Replacement Prices by County
The same report, split by where the home is. 72 jobs had no county on record and are left out of this table only.
| County | Median repair visit | Repair visits | Median system replacement | Typical system range | Systems |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough1,806 jobs in total | $300 | 1,600 | $8,652 | $7,429 to $10,492 | 97 |
| Pinellas712 jobs in total | $300 | 604 | $9,484 | $7,456 to $11,145 | 45 |
| Pasco516 jobs in total | $299 | 460 | $9,630 | $8,949 to $11,243 | 23 |
Repairs cost about the same everywhere: a median of $299 to $300 in all three counties. Our price book does not change by county, and there is no trip fee to any of them.
System replacements vary more, from $8,652 in Hillsborough to $9,630 in Pasco. The difference comes from the sizes and tiers homeowners chose, not from a different price list. Pasco has only 23 systems, so treat its number as a rough guide.
For a price on your own home, use our AC replacement cost estimator or ask for a FREE estimate.
What sizes Tampa homes buy
AC Sizes and Water Heater Sizes We Installed
From the replacements in this report with a size on record: 178 AC and heat pump systems and 77 tank water heaters.
AC and heat pump systems, by tons
95 of 178 systems were 2.5 or 3 tons, more than half.
- 1.5 tons3 systems
- 2 tons24 systems
- 2.5 tons41 systems
- 3 tons54 systems
- 3.5 tons19 systems
- 4 tons18 systems
- 5 tons19 systems
Tank water heaters, by gallons
49 of 77 tanks were 40 or 50 gallons.
- 28 gallons12 tanks
- 30 gallons4 tanks
- 38 gallons11 tanks
- 40 gallons29 tanks
- 50 gallons20 tanks
- 80 gallons1 tanks
Most Tampa Bay homes need 2.5 or 3 tons. 56 systems were larger than 3 tons, one reason the system median ($9,050) sits above our most common install, a 3-ton Goodman at $8,018 to $8,475. We size every system with a Manual J load calculation.
Most water heaters are 40 or 50 gallons. The 28 and 38 gallon tanks are short and tall low-profile tanks. Our most common replacement is a Rheem 40 or 50 gallon electric tank at $1,629 to $1,979 installed.
Reviews
What Tampa Bay Homeowners Say
More than 1,300 reviews on Google, Thumbtack and Facebook. The latest from Google:
PlumbingI have wonderful experience with home therapist. They did a whole plumbing project for me at my business location a year ago. Everything is wonderful up to this day. Lester did an…
PlumbingJandiel did a great job. Very professional and got the job done quick. He also gave me great information on using my unit in the hotter months to prevent my unit from…
We have been using The Home Therapist for eight years now. Richard and his crew are knowledgeable and professional. We will always call them with any issues.
Roberto was excellent, very thorough and did such a beautiful job!
When my HVAC unit needed to be replaced, I chose this company based off of their reviews and the fact they offer a free estimate. I am very happy with my decision.…
Had a great experience with Home Therapist. They worked with me to stay within a budget, they communicated great, and they got the job done when they said they would. Will use…
Water heaterI had a great experience with Home Therapist Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing. We were getting our house ready to sell and the home inspection identified several plumbing issues that needed to be…
AC installI was in need of air conditioning for my detached garage. My AI search for the most trustworthy mini-split AC installer led me to Home Therapist; my expectations were exceeded. Scheduling a…
AC installExcellent service from Richard! He was professional, courteous, and very knowledgeable. He fixed my A/C problem quickly and explained everything clearly. I highly recommend Richard for anyone needing A/C service. had a…
Repair or replace
How Often a Repair Turns Into a Replacement
35 of 173 system replacements followed a repair or diagnostic visit at the same home in the 120 days before.
Get both prices FREEThat is about 1 in 5. The other 138 had no repair or diagnostic visit with us in those 120 days. The diagnosis is FREE and you get an honest answer: repair it or replace it. When a big part fails on an older system, we put both prices in writing so you can compare.
- Repair usually makes sense for small parts: a capacitor ($299), a contactor ($299), a drain line flush ($299) or a fan motor.
- Look at replacing when the compressor or a coil fails on an older system, when it keeps leaking, or when it still runs on R-22. ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement once an AC or heat pump is more than 10 years old.
Try our AC replacement cost estimator, then call for a FREE in-home visit.
Source: ENERGY STAR, when to replace heating and cooling equipment.
Section 1
Air Conditioning Costs
What the AC numbers in the table mean, and how to check an AC quote.
Call for a FREE diagnosisMore on our AC repair and AC replacement pages.
Capacitors: the repair we make most
The median capacitor visit, across 162 visits, came to exactly $279, the price-book price. A quarter of visits came to $546 or more, usually because the homeowner approved a second repair on the same visit. If you are quoted well above $279 for a capacitor alone, on a system that runs fine afterward, ask for an itemized quote.
Contactors and fan motors
A contactor is $299, but the median contactor visit was $568 because a burned contactor often comes with other damage. The median condenser fan motor visit was $849, which matched our price for a new 825 RPM universal motor installed before the October 2026 price update (now $909). Be careful with a quote that shows one wide range like “$499 to $849” and does not say whether the motor is included.
Refrigerant and leaks
Refrigerant visits had the widest spread, $554 to $2,203. A top-off is a few hundred dollars; a copper leak repair is $1,179 plus refrigerant. Refrigerant is $309 for up to 3 lbs of R-410A, or $102 per lb when it takes more than 3 lbs. Leak detection is FREE with the diagnosis.
System replacements
The 173 replacements had a median of $9,050. Our price book starts at $7,141 for a Goodman Value AC and $7,698 for a heat pump. The quiet side-discharge inverter models (Goodman GZV6S or Daikin Fit DH6VS) run $13,999 to $19,931. Every package includes the thermostat and haul-away; standard packages reuse and flush the copper lines. The permit fee is billed separately, and financing is available with rates from 0% APR for qualifying customers.
Compressors
Compressors came up on only 17 visits, too few for a median. Our price is $1,339 labor with a new capacitor, line flush and filter drier; the compressor and refrigerant are extra. On an older system, compare that with a replacement first.
Section 2
Plumbing Costs
What the plumbing numbers in the table mean.
Call for a FREE diagnosisMore on our plumbing repair and drain cleaning pages.
Drain cleaning: our most common plumbing call
117 drain visits, median $349. A sink, tub or shower drain is $299. A main line through the cleanout is $379, or $589 when we pull a toilet to reach it. Hydro jetting a heavy clog is $909. A camera look is often included on a drain call; a standalone sewer camera inspection with video and a written report is $429, or $539 with a locator.
Toilets, faucets and disposals
The low end of the toilet range, $279, was one part such as a flapper (now $299). The high end is a new toilet at $539 to $839 installed. Faucet replacement labor is $299 plus the faucet you pick. The disposal median, $549, matched our 1/2 HP disposal installed before the October 2026 price update (now $589).
Leaks, softeners and filtration
The basic leak search is FREE, including a check of whether the water meter keeps running with all water off. An in-depth search, such as a pressure test, is quoted first. Softener and filtration jobs mix small filters with whole-home systems, so the range is wide: a Rheem softener is $1,829 to $2,677 and a Halo 5 is $5,913 to $8,063. City of Tampa water averaged 10.8 grains per gallon in 2024 (very hard).
Section 3
Water Heater Costs
Replacements, repairs and flushes.
Call for a FREE diagnosisMore on our water heater installation and water heater repair pages.
Replacing a tank
79 tank replacements, median $1,838. Most are a Rheem 40 or 50 gallon electric tank at $1,629 to $1,979 installed. Gas tanks start at $1,979, and tankless starts at $1,369 (electric) and $3,158 (gas). We pull the permit; the permit fee is billed separately. An expansion tank is $379 to $479 when the home needs one.
Repairs and flushes
The repair median, $349, matched the price of an element or thermostat at the time (now $379). An anode rod, relief valve or drain valve is $299 and a gas valve is $319. Every one of the 102 flushes came to $89, tank or tankless, and the visit includes a whole-house plumbing inspection.
Got a quote you are not sure about? Call or text us. A FREE second opinion, with no trip fee and no pressure.
How to use these numbers
Is Your Quote Fair?
Find your service in the table at the top, then compare your quote with the median and the top of the typical range.
- 1
At or below the median
The quote is in line with what half of Tampa Bay homeowners paid us for the same visit.
- 2
Between the median and the top
Higher than most, but not unusual. Ask what is included beyond the main repair.
- 3
Above the typical range
Ask for an itemized quote that shows each part and the labor, and whether the part is included.
- 4
Still unsure
Call or text us for a FREE second opinion. We will tell you plainly if the price looks fair.
Good reasons a quote runs higher: two systems or zones, a system larger than 3 tons or an inverter model, code work, a tight attic, or a coastal coil coating (quoted in writing). Reasons to ask questions: a diagnostic or trip fee on top of the repair (ours is FREE), or one wide price range that does not say whether the part is included.
Methodology
How We Built This Report
- Source: our own Housecall Pro records, completed jobs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026: 3,106 jobs, $4,989,189 in work, 133 ZIP codes.
- Area: Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. 72 jobs had no county on record and are left out of the county table only.
- Whole-job tickets: deposit and balance invoices are added together, so installs count once at full price. Discount lines removed, voided invoices excluded.
- Categories: set by the line item names from our price book. A visit with two parts counts in both parts lines.
- Sample size: categories with fewer than 20 jobs are not published as a price.
- Not included: FREE diagnosis visits where no work was approved, and canceled jobs.
Download the data
Download the cost data (CSV) with every published median, sample size and typical range. You are welcome to use it with a link back to this page.
Cite as: Home Therapist Cooling, Heating and Plumbing, Tampa Bay HVAC and Plumbing Cost Report, October 2026 update.
About Home Therapist
Home Therapist Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing is a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company at 1408 W Linebaugh Ave in Tampa. We hold Florida state-certified contractor licenses for air conditioning (CAC1819196) and plumbing (CFC1431159), and we have completed more than 12,000 jobs across Tampa Bay since 2020, with 1,300+ five-star reviews. Meet the team or read our reviews. More prices are on our pricing page.
Questions
Tampa Bay HVAC and Plumbing Cost Questions
How much does AC capacitor replacement cost in Tampa Bay?
$299 in our price book. Across 162 capacitor visits, the median visit was $279 and the middle half ran $279 to $546. Higher visits included other approved work. The diagnosis is FREE.
How much does it cost to replace an AC condenser fan motor?
$539 for labor only (motor not included), or $809 to $909 with a new universal motor. Across 58 visits, the median was $849 and the middle half ran $749 to $949.
What is a fair price for AC compressor replacement?
Our price is $1,339 labor with a new capacitor, line flush and filter drier; the compressor and refrigerant are extra ($1,499 when the compressor is under warranty). With only 17 compressor visits, we do not publish a median. Compare the total with a 3-ton Goodman replacement at $8,018 to $8,475.
How much does heat pump installation cost in Tampa?
$7,698 to $19,931 in our price book. Across 173 AC and heat pump replacements, the median was $9,050 and the middle half ran $7,547 to $10,913. Thermostat and haul-away are included; the permit fee is billed separately.
How much does water heater replacement cost in Tampa Bay?
Most are a Rheem 40 or 50 gallon electric tank at $1,629 to $1,979 installed. Across 79 tank replacements, the median was $1,838 and the middle half ran $1,526 to $2,023. The permit fee is billed separately.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Tampa?
$299 for a fixture drain and $379 for a main line through the cleanout. Across 117 visits, the median was $349 and the middle half ran $299 to $658.
When is AC repair busiest in Tampa?
May to July. Over two years we completed 237 AC and heating jobs in May, 231 in June and 230 in July. December was the slowest with 108.
What breaks most on Tampa air conditioners?
Small parts. In every 100 HVAC repair visits, about 11 were a clogged drain line or float switch, 8 a capacitor and 7 refrigerant. A compressor came up in about 1.
How much does AC replacement cost by county in Tampa Bay?
The median system replacement was $8,652 in Hillsborough, $9,484 in Pinellas and $9,630 in Pasco (only 23 systems). The price book is the same in all three; the mix of sizes and tiers differs.
What size AC do most Tampa homes have?
3 tons, then 2.5 tons. Of 178 systems we replaced, 54 were 3 tons and 41 were 2.5 tons. We size every system with a Manual J load calculation.
How much does an AC tune-up cost in Tampa?
$89 per system, every visit. The median tune-up visit was $299 because on some visits the homeowner approved a repair we found.
What data does this Cost Report use?
3,106 completed jobs from our Housecall Pro records, October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026, in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Deposit and balance invoices are combined into one ticket per job. The data is available as a CSV file.
Question about a quote we did not answer? Call (813) 343-2212
Get a FREE Second Opinion on Your Quote
Send us any HVAC or plumbing quote from Tampa Bay. The diagnosis and the estimate are FREE at any hour, with no trip fee, and we will tell you straight whether the price is fair. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
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