AC Repair & HVAC Repair — Same-Day Service

AC Repair — What Goes Wrong and What It Costs

• Capacitor failure ($150–$350): Single most common AC repair. The capacitor starts the compressor and fan motors — when it fails the system hums but does not cool. Diagnosed and replaced on the first visit.
• Refrigerant loss ($200–$550): Low refrigerant causes the system to run constantly without reaching setpoint. The contractor finds the leak, repairs it, and recharges. Recharging without finding the leak wastes money — it leaks out again.
• Condenser fan motor failure ($300–$650): The outdoor unit runs but the fan is not spinning. The compressor overheats and shuts down on its safety switch. One-visit repair in most cases.
• Frozen or dirty evaporator coil ($75–$300): A dirty coil restricts airflow and causes the coil to ice over. Cleaning and addressing the root cause — usually a dirty filter or low refrigerant — resolves it.
• Clogged condensate drain ($75–$200): A full condensate pan trips a safety float switch and shuts the system down. Cleared and flushed on the first visit.
• Thermostat failure ($150–$400): A faulty thermostat mimics almost any other AC failure. Always checked before more expensive components are assumed to be the problem.
• Compressor failure ($1,200–$2,800): The most expensive single-component AC repair. On systems older than 10 years, full replacement is almost always the better financial decision.

How to Tell If Your AC Needs Repair

• AC runs but does not cool: Low refrigerant, dirty evaporator coil, or failing compressor. Needs service.
• AC turns on then shuts off quickly: Tripped safety switch from clogged drain, overheating compressor, or failed limit control. Needs service.
• AC makes a new grinding or squealing noise: Failing bearing in the blower or outdoor fan motor. Needs service before it fails completely.
• AC runs constantly but never reaches setpoint: Low refrigerant or a system undersized for the home. Needs refrigerant check.
• AC trips the circuit breaker: Compressor drawing too much current or a wiring fault. Needs diagnosis before resetting.

HVAC Repair Near Me — All System Types Serviced

• Central split systems: Gas furnace plus central air conditioner — the most common residential HVAC configuration across the service area.
• Heat pumps: Air source heat pumps in both heating and cooling mode. Reversing valve, refrigerant, capacitor, and defrost cycle diagnosis.
• Ductless mini split systems: Wall-mounted and ceiling-cassette ductless units. Drain line, coil, refrigerant, and control board diagnosis.

Annual AC Maintenance — HVAC Repair Prevention

Most AC repair calls are preventable. Annual maintenance at $80 to $200 tests the capacitor before it fails, checks refrigerant level before the system loses cooling capacity, cleans coils before airflow drops, and flushes the condensate drain before it trips the safety switch. A $150 capacitor found during maintenance in April versus a $350 emergency call when it fails at 3pm on a 108°F Saturday in August. The math is straightforward.