Central air conditioning repair
Compare local HVAC companies for an AC that will not cool, will not start or keeps cycling. 4,583 pros listed in 1,855 cities across 48 states.
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Central Air Conditioning Repair by city
Before you call: three checks
- Thermostat: set to cool, set below the room temperature, and with working batteries or power.
- Breakers: the outdoor condenser and the indoor air handler or furnace usually have their own breakers, and there is often a disconnect switch by the outdoor unit.
- Air filter: a clogged filter starves the system of air and can freeze the coil. DOE advises cleaning or replacing filters monthly during seasons of peak use (DOE).
If the coil or the refrigerant lines are iced up, switch the system to fan only or off and let it thaw before a technician arrives — running it frozen can damage the compressor.
Common AC faults
- A failed capacitor or contactor — the outdoor fan or compressor will not start, or hums without running.
- A failed outdoor fan motor or indoor blower motor.
- A refrigerant leak, which shows up as weak cooling, ice on the lines or a coil that keeps freezing.
- A blocked condensate drain, causing water around the indoor unit or a safety switch that shuts the system off.
- Dirty condenser or evaporator coils, which cut capacity and raise running costs.
- Thermostat or control-board faults.
Refrigerant: certified technicians only
Refrigerant work is regulated. Under EPA’s Section 608 rules, only certified technicians may buy refrigerant for these systems (EPA). A system that needs refrigerant has a leak; topping it up without finding and fixing the leak means paying for the same refill again. Ask whether the technician tested for the leak, and where it is.
When it is urgent
No cooling in dangerous heat is urgent when there are elderly people, infants or anyone unwell in the house — move them somewhere cool while you wait. Also call promptly for burning smells from the indoor or outdoor unit, a breaker that trips again after a reset, or water leaking through a ceiling from an attic unit.
How to choose an AC repair company
- Check the licence with your state or city — HVAC licensing is set locally.
- Ask about the diagnostic or service-call fee and whether it comes off the repair.
- Ask whether technicians are EPA 608 certified for refrigerant work.
- Ask for the diagnosis in writing, with the part and the price, before work starts.
- If replacement is recommended, ask for the repair price as well, and consider a second opinion.
What affects the cost
- The fault and the part: a capacitor is a small part; a compressor or coil is a major one.
- Diagnostic or service-call fee, and nights, weekends and peak-season demand.
- Refrigerant type and how much is needed, plus leak finding and repair.
- Access to the indoor unit in an attic or crawl space.
- Age of the system and whether parts are still made for it.
- Warranty: parts may be covered by the manufacturer if the system is registered.
Central Air Conditioning Repair cost guide: the factors pros price on →
Repair or replace, DIY and maintenance
Changing filters, clearing leaves and debris from around the outdoor unit and keeping the condensate drain clear are homeowner jobs. Electrical parts and anything with refrigerant are not: the capacitor holds a charge even with the power off.
On repair versus replace, DOE notes that if a heating or cooling system is over 15 years old, new equipment can save on energy bills; it also advises having air conditioners inspected in the spring, and says regular maintenance can cut heating and cooling costs by 10% or more (DOE). Weigh the repair against the system’s age and how often it has failed.
Common questions
- Why is my AC running but not cooling?
- Common causes are a clogged filter, a frozen coil, a dirty outdoor coil, a failed outdoor fan or compressor component, or low refrigerant from a leak.
- Why is there ice on my AC lines?
- Usually poor airflow — a dirty filter or blower problem — or low refrigerant. Turn the system to fan or off to thaw it and call a technician.
- Can I add refrigerant myself?
- No. Under EPA’s Section 608 rules, only certified technicians may buy refrigerant for these systems, and low refrigerant means there is a leak to fix.
- How often should I change my AC filter?
- DOE advises cleaning or replacing filters monthly during the seasons you use the system most.
- Should I repair or replace an old AC?
- Compare the repair price with the system’s age and history. DOE says a system over 15 years old is a candidate for replacement on efficiency alone.
- When should my AC be serviced?
- DOE suggests an inspection by a professional in the spring, before the cooling season.
- Do AC repair companies charge more in summer?
- Demand peaks in hot weather, and nights and weekends usually cost more. Booking maintenance in spring avoids the rush.
Related services
Sources
Safety and standards advice on this page comes from these publishers. Dates are the ones each page shows.
- US Department of Energy, Energy Saver, Consumer Guide to Home Heating and Cooling (August 2021)
- US EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Sales Restriction (last updated March 23, 2026)
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