Air conditioning repair from licensed local HVAC contractors
When cooling fails in a heat wave, the difference between a $180 capacitor and a $1,200 compressor job is a proper diagnosis. Our screened partners test refrigerant charge, electrical components and airflow before quoting a single part.
Warning signs
What to look for
- Air is blowing, but it isn't cold
- Usually low refrigerant from a leak, a frozen evaporator coil or a failed compressor contactor — not something a filter change will fix.
- The system short cycles
- Turning on and off every few minutes points to an oversized unit, a dirty coil, a failing capacitor or a thermostat placed in the wrong spot.
- Water or ice around the indoor unit
- A clogged condensate drain or frozen coil. Left alone it causes drywall and ceiling damage under the air handler.
- Loud buzzing, grinding or burning smells
- Electrical and bearing failures escalate quickly. Shut the system off at the breaker and get it inspected before running it again.
- Energy bills jumped without a rate change
- A dirty condenser, leaking ducts or a low charge can add 20-30% to summer cooling costs while the house still feels warm.
Scope of work
What's included
- Full diagnostic on the condenser, air handler, thermostat and electrical controls
- Refrigerant pressure and superheat/subcool testing by EPA-certified technicians
- Leak detection with dye or electronic sniffer before any recharge
- Capacitor, contactor, relay, blower motor and control board replacement
- Condensate drain clearing and evaporator/condenser coil cleaning
- Airflow and static pressure check to confirm the fix holds
- Written repair-versus-replace comparison when the system is near end of life
Typical AC repair cost
$150 – $1,200
Most residential AC repairs land in this range. Capacitors and contactors are at the low end; evaporator coils, compressors and refrigerant leak repairs run highest, especially on older R-22 systems where refrigerant is scarce and expensive.
National averages shown for orientation only. Your itemized quote comes from an independent licensed contractor after an on-site inspection.
Questions
AC Repair FAQ
Can you get someone out the same day if we have no cooling?
No-cooling requests are flagged as emergencies and routed first. During heat waves most homeowners get a call within a couple of hours and a visit the same or next day.
How do I know if I need repair or a whole new system?
As a rule of thumb, repair a system under 10 years old with one failed part. Consider replacement past 12 to 15 years, when the repair exceeds about a third of a new system's cost, or when the unit uses phased-out R-22 refrigerant.
Why does my AC keep needing refrigerant?
Refrigerant is not consumed — if the charge drops, there is a leak. A reputable contractor finds and repairs the leak rather than topping the system off every summer.
Is a refrigerant recharge alone a real fix?
No. It is a temporary measure. EPA rules also require certified handling, and repeated recharges without leak repair usually cost more over two seasons than fixing the leak once.
Should I change the filter before calling?
Yes — it is free and a clogged filter genuinely causes weak airflow and frozen coils. If a fresh filter and clear vents do not restore cooling within a few hours, book a diagnostic.
Are your HVAC contractors licensed?
Every partner is screened for state HVAC licensing, liability insurance and EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant work. Ask for current certificates before work begins.