If you've ever been surprised by a pricey AC repair, you're not alone. When one Florida renter was surprised with unexpected repair costs, they posted their bill on Reddit — and commenters were quick to weigh in on whether they got a fair deal. But the conversation highlighted a bigger issue facing many households: rising HVAC expenses.

The scoop

In the post, the renter shared a service receipt showing that the technician replaced a contactor, a burnt wire, and a 30/5 capacitor. The total service cost came to $600.

"It's summer supply and demand," one commenter wrote, explaining the high bill.

"This is reasonable," another commenter added. "[It's] $100 in parts, maybe $95 to $100 for the trip charge, and $150 to $155 for the hour of labor, then tax. There's at least $200 of fluff in the $600." 

A third commenter added, "For this repair, Florida, summer, $600? I'd be so happy, I'd be running naked through the streets."

While it might be "reasonable" given the cost of parts and labor, dropping $600 on your aging AC unit is a sizable bill. As one commenter put it, "These prices are getting wild." 

But there's a way to lower your HVAC costs — by upgrading your heating and cooling system to a more energy-efficient model.

How it's helping

If you're like most homeowners, heating and cooling make up the biggest portion of your home energy use — and have quite high repair costs. But that also means your system offers the biggest opportunity for savings. And because we're talking about your home, your comfort, and your wallet, making a decision about your new system is personal.

Upgrading your HVAC to a modern, high-efficiency system helps you use far less electricity than older setups, so you end up spending less — sometimes dramatically less — while enjoying consistent year-round comfort. 

If you're curious about what an upgrade could look like for you, TCD's HVAC Explorer is a simple place to start. It can help you understand your options and potentially save up to 50% on energy bills with a new efficient HVAC or heat pump, including $0-down subscription choices.

Do you feel like your HVAC system works as well as it should? Definitely 😎 Most of the time 👍 Sometimes 😬 Not at all 🫠 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

With TCD as your guide, you'll be able to compare systems and make sense of rebates, incentives, and subscription models that might make upgrading more affordable than you expect. 

What you can expect

When you're ready to explore next steps, the HVAC Explorer can help you compare options for your home and connect with trusted partners who specialize in efficient heating and cooling upgrades. Among these partners is Palmetto, a company that makes upgrading your HVAC system surprisingly accessible — even if you're trying to avoid a big upfront expense.

With Palmetto, you can save up to 50% on heating and cooling costs with a more energy-efficient system. Or you can also get a new HVAC system for $0 down, with subscription lease payments starting as low as $99 a month. Plus, you'll enjoy 12 years of free maintenance. You may even reduce your total lifetime spend on HVAC, since you won't be paying out of pocket for repairs or upkeep — all while avoiding a large upfront purchase. 

Using the HVAC Explorer to evaluate these options empowers you to find a system — and a partner — that fits your home and your budget.

If you're looking to maximize your home's energy efficiency, upgrading your HVAC system is a key step — but pairing it with solar can take your savings even further. Producing your own clean electricity with solar means your high-efficiency system costs even less to operate. If you've ever wondered whether solar might make sense for your home, TCD's Solar Explorer is an easy way to compare options and connect with vetted partners.

As you take control of your home's energy use, there's one more resource worth exploring. The free Palmetto Home app helps you earn up to $5,000 in rewards to put toward home upgrades — simply by completing everyday actions that support sustainability and efficiency.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.