What this covers
Air conditioner repair starts with a diagnosis, not a part. The technician checks the thermostat call, the air filter and the indoor coil for airflow problems, then the outdoor unit: the capacitor, contactor, fan motor and compressor, and the refrigerant pressures with gauges on the service ports. Most summer failures are a worn capacitor, a dirty condenser coil, a frozen evaporator from low airflow, or a refrigerant leak. The company explains what failed and why, repairs it with matching parts, and checks the whole system before leaving, because one failure is often a symptom of another. When a compressor has failed on an old system, the company says so and lays out the choice between repair and replacement.
When to call
- Warm air from the vents while the outdoor unit runs, or an outdoor unit that does not start at all.
- Ice on the refrigerant lines or the indoor coil.
- Water around the indoor unit or a drain pan that overflows.
- A breaker that trips when the system starts, or a humming unit whose fan does not spin.
What to expect
- DiagnoseThe technician tests the thermostat, airflow, electrical parts and refrigerant pressures to find the actual fault.
- ExplainYou hear what failed, why, and whether anything else is close behind it.
- RepairThe failed part is replaced with a matching one, coils are cleaned, and leaks are repaired and the charge corrected.
- VerifyThe system runs through a full cycle while temperatures, pressures and amperage are checked.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Why does my unit freeze up?
Usually low airflow from a dirty filter or coil, or low refrigerant from a leak. Both make the evaporator coil run below freezing. The technician finds which and corrects it rather than only thawing the ice.
Can refrigerant just be added?
Refrigerant does not get used up; a low charge means a leak. Topping off without finding the leak brings the problem back, so the technician looks for the leak first.
Repair or replace?
A capacitor, contactor or fan motor on a sound system is a repair. A failed compressor or a leaking coil on a system past its expected life usually points toward replacement, and the company gives you both options.
Related: Air conditioner installation · Thermostat installation · Ductwork installation and repair · All heating, cooling and air quality
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.