Looking to understand the parts of an air conditioner, what they cost in Chennai in 2025, and when it makes sense to repair or replace each one? This guide explains the core components, typical price ranges you can expect locally, and practical replacement tips to help you avoid repeat failures and save money over the life of your AC.

Note on prices: The ranges below are indicative for common residential split ACs in Chennai, based on current market reality. Actual quotes vary by brand, tonnage, refrigerant type, part availability, and warranty status. Prices exclude taxes.

AC parts 101, what they do and why they fail

• Compressor, the pump that circulates refrigerant between indoor and outdoor coils. Failures come from overheating, low refrigerant, electrical surges, or age.
• Condenser coil, the outdoor heat exchanger that rejects heat. Salt air corrosion, dust, and bent fins reduce efficiency.
• Evaporator coil, the indoor heat exchanger that absorbs heat. Leaks, biofilm, and corrosion are common issues in humid homes.
• Expansion device, capillary tube or electronic expansion valve that meters refrigerant. Blockages or valve failures cause poor cooling and icing.
• Indoor blower motor, moves air through the evaporator and filters. Bearing wear, dust load, and failed driver boards are typical.
• Outdoor fan motor, cools the condenser. Salt corrosion and worn bearings often show up as noise or overheating trips.
• PCBs and power modules, indoor control board and outdoor inverter board or IPM. Voltage spikes, heat, and moisture are the big killers.
• Sensors and thermostat, thermistors on coils and room air. Faulty readings lead to wrong temperatures or short cycling.
• Filters and drain system, filters trap dust, drain carries condensate. Clogged filters strain the system, clogged drains cause indoor leaks.
• Four‑way reversing valve, present in heat pump models, switches between cooling and heating. Sticking or coil failure stops mode change.

2025 Chennai cost snapshot, common residential split AC parts

These ranges are for typical 1 to 1.5 ton split ACs, inverter and non‑inverter. Labour includes removal, fitment, brazing where applicable, vacuuming, and test runs as relevant to the job.

Part	Part price, ₹	Usual labour, ₹	Indicative total, ₹
Air filter set	250–1,200	300–600	550–1,800
Thermistor or room sensor	300–800	300–800	600–1,600
Capacitor, non‑inverter models	300–900	300–800	600–1,700
Indoor blower motor	3,000–6,500	800–1,500	3,800–8,000
Outdoor fan motor	3,500–7,500	900–1,800	4,400–9,300
Indoor PCB	4,500–9,500	800–1,500	5,300–11,000
Outdoor PCB or inverter module	9,000–22,000	1,000–2,000	10,000–24,000
Evaporator coil, indoor	7,500–15,000	3,500–6,500	11,000–21,500
Condenser coil, outdoor	8,500–18,500	4,000–8,000	12,500–26,500
Expansion device, capillary	400–900	1,500–3,000	1,900–3,900
Expansion device, EEV	2,500–6,500	1,500–3,000	4,000–9,500
Four‑way reversing valve	2,000–5,000	2,000–4,000	4,000–9,000
Compressor, non‑inverter	9,500–18,500	5,000–9,000	14,500–27,500
Compressor, inverter	14,000–30,000	5,000–9,000	19,000–39,000
Refrigerant charge, R32 or R410A	2,500–6,500	Included	2,500–6,500
Drain pump, cassette or high‑wall	2,500–5,000	800–1,500	3,300–6,500

Notes

• Inverter systems usually have higher part prices because of specialized PCBs and compressors.
• Never mix refrigerants, parts must match the refrigerant and model family.
• Labour goes up if access is difficult, if piping reroutes are needed, or when multiple brazed joints are involved.

For genuine spare parts and compatibility checks, see Techno Power Aircons’ overview of AC spare part dealers in Chennai and this practical guide on where to buy AC parts in Chennai.

VRF and VRV parts, what to expect

VRF or VRV systems are modular and more complex than single split units. Component pricing varies widely between brands and series. Budget for professional diagnostics before any part swap.

VRF component	Part price, ₹	Usual labour, ₹	Indicative total, ₹
Outdoor inverter PCB or power module	18,000–45,000	2,500–5,000	20,500–50,000
VRF scroll compressor	40,000–1,10,000	12,000–25,000	52,000–1,35,000
Outdoor fan motor, EC type	6,500–18,000	1,800–3,500	8,300–21,500
Indoor unit EEV or coil sub‑assembly	7,500–20,000	2,000–5,000	9,500–25,000
Branch selector or solenoid assembly	12,000–35,000	3,500–7,500	15,500–42,500
Leak testing and full refrigerant charge	6,000–18,000	Included	6,000–18,000

If you operate a multi‑room or commercial setup, engage a specialist. Start here, VRF AC dealer in Chennai and this VRF AC system price guide.

Repair or replace, a quick decision framework

• Age and efficiency, If your split AC is over 8 to 10 years old and a major part like the compressor or both coils have failed, a new 5‑star inverter model often pays back through lower electricity bills.
• Cost of repair vs cost of a new unit, If repairs approach 40 to 50 percent of a new like‑for‑like replacement, consider upgrading.
• Refrigerant type, Older R22 machines are harder and costlier to maintain, replacement is usually smarter when there is a major leak or compressor failure.
• Pattern of failures, Repeated PCB failures or frequent gas leaks suggest underlying installation or environmental issues. Fix the root cause or replace.
• Usage profile and comfort gaps, Inverter models reduce bills for long daily usage, while VRF systems win when you need independent room control and quiet operation.

Replacement tips that prevent repeat failures

• Protect electronics from Chennai’s voltage fluctuations, use a reputable stabilizer or surge protection as recommended by your brand.
• Choose coil options for coastal air, epoxy‑coated or corrosion‑resistant coils extend life near the sea.
• Match parts exactly, use the full model code to source parts, PCB and compressor firmware must match the indoor and outdoor set.
• Insist on proper refrigerant practices, nitrogen pressure test, deep vacuum, correct charge by weight, new filter‑drier where applicable, and leak verification. Skipping these steps shortens compressor life.
• Keep airflow free, clean filters monthly in peak season, maintain at least 12 to 18 inches of clearance around the outdoor unit, and keep fins straight and clean.
• Drainage matters, ensure correct drain slope and clean the tray. For false ceilings or long drain runs, consider a reliable drain pump. See Cassette AC options if you use ceiling cassettes.
• Plan maintenance, an AC AMC in Chennai spreads costs, locks in preventive care, and reduces surprise breakdowns before summer.

What a technician will check before declaring a part dead

• Power and communication, supply voltage, wiring harness, and indoor to outdoor communication status.
• Error codes and sensor values, brand diagnostic modes often narrow faults quickly.
• Refrigerant circuit health, frost pattern, superheat or sub‑cool indications, and leak points around flares and joints.
• Component isolation, testing motors, capacitors, and PCBs individually where possible before replacement.

A good diagnosis saves money by avoiding unnecessary part swaps. If you prefer a reference checklist tailored to local conditions, see these quick reads on AC maintenance in Chennai’s climate and brand‑specific care like Mitsubishi Electric maintenance tips.

Smart ways to save on parts and service

• Check your warranty card, many brands offer extended compressor warranties, even if general warranty has ended.
• Use genuine or brand‑approved parts, it preserves performance and future warranty claims.
• Replace assemblies only when necessary, sometimes a sensor or EEV can be changed without replacing full coil assemblies.
• Combine jobs, doing coil replacement and piping insulation in one visit reduces labour and refrigerant costs.
• Schedule off‑peak, pre‑summer slots fill fast. Book early for faster turnarounds.

Watch‑outs unique to Chennai

• Salt‑laden air accelerates outdoor corrosion, ask for anti‑corrosion coatings or guards where feasible.
• Monsoon humidity means more biofilm, clean filters and indoor coils regularly to avoid airflow drops and odours.
• Pigeon and debris risks on terraces, install simple screens or guards to keep the outdoor section clear.

How Techno Power Aircons can help

Operating since 1982, Techno Power Aircons supports Chennai homes and businesses with sales, installation, genuine spares, and after‑sales service across split, cassette, ductable, and advanced VRF systems. If you need a precise quote for a specific part, model compatibility guidance, or want to move to a preventive plan, our team can advise based on your brand, tonnage, and usage.

• Genuine parts and compatibility checks, avoid mismatches that lead to repeat failures.
• Professional installation and commissioning, correct refrigerant practices and QC testing.
• Annual maintenance contracts, keep cooling performance high and power bills in check through AC AMC in Chennai.

Final word

Understanding what each AC part does, along with realistic Chennai‑market pricing, helps you budget wisely and decide when repair beats replacement. When in doubt, get a formal diagnosis and parts quote. For complex systems like VRF or for any major repair involving coils, compressor, or PCBs, lean on experienced technicians who stand behind their workmanship.

Ready to diagnose an issue or compare repair versus replacement for your unit, Talk to Techno Power Aircons for straight answers, accurate parts matching, and dependable service that keeps you cool through Chennai’s hottest months.