AC Repair in Sacramento

What are the most common air conditioner problems?

This Old House lists frozen coils, drain clogs, thermostat issues, capacitor failure, and low refrigerant as the usual central AC repairs, and Trane adds dirty condenser coils and clogged filters to the list of reasons an AC stops blowing cold air. Here's what each one looks like.

• Capacitor: stores electrical energy to start the compressor and fan motors. When it fails, the outdoor unit may hum without starting. This Old House says most capacitors last 10 to 20 years.
• Contactor or relay: the switch that sends power to the outdoor unit. A worn contactor can keep the unit from starting or from shutting off.
• Condenser fan motor: moves air across the outdoor coil. If it stops, the system overheats and cools poorly.
• Frozen evaporator coil: usually caused by restricted airflow (a dirty filter or blocked returns) or low refrigerant, according to Trane.
• Clogged condensate drain: water backs up, the pan overflows, or a safety switch shuts the system off.
• Refrigerant leak: cooling fades, lines may ice, and run times stretch. Refrigerant isn't used up, so low refrigerant means there's a leak (Fixr).
• Dirty condenser coil: ENERGY STAR notes dirty coils reduce a system's ability to cool your home and make it run longer.
• Thermostat problems: dead batteries, wrong settings, or a failed thermostat can look like an AC failure.

What can you safely check before calling for AC repair?

A few quick checks can save a service call, and none of them involve opening the equipment. Trane recommends starting with the thermostat and filter.

• Set the thermostat to Cool, below the current room temperature, with the fan on Auto. Replace the batteries if the screen is blank.
• Check the air filter and replace it if it's dirty.
• Look for a tripped AC or furnace breaker. Reset it once; if it trips again, leave it off and call.
• Clear leaves and debris from the outdoor unit and keep plants about 2 feet away (Trane, SMUD).
• If you see ice on the indoor coil or refrigerant line, turn the system off. Trane warns that chipping the ice can damage the coil.
• Leave the outdoor unit's panels closed. Capacitors store electrical energy, and refrigerant work requires EPA certification.

Why is my air conditioner leaking water?

An AC pulls moisture out of the air, and that water should flow from a drain pan into a condensate line. Trane lists the common leak causes as a clogged drain line, a cracked or rusted drain pan, a frozen coil that drips as it melts, a dirty filter, and, on new systems, improper installation.

Trane's advice: water on the floor near the air handler is not normal. Turn the system off at the thermostat or breaker, mop up the water, and call a technician. Ask about an overflow safety switch, which shuts the system down before the pan spills. Attic units can leak through the ceiling, so act quickly.

What happens during an AC repair visit?

Most companies charge a diagnostic fee to find the problem: about $75 to $150 according to This Old House, or $75 to $200 according to Fixr, which says the check usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Both guides note the fee is often applied to the repair if you go ahead with the same company. Ask about that before the visit.

Once the technician finds the problem, ask for the price in writing before work starts. For refrigerant problems, the technician should look for the leak and explain the fix, not just add refrigerant. Only EPA Section 608 certified technicians can buy and handle refrigerant.

When is an AC repair not worth it?

A repair is usually worth it on a system that's under 10 years old with one failed part. Look harder at replacement when the system is older than 10 years, which is when ENERGY STAR suggests having it evaluated, or when repairs are frequent.

Two rules of thumb help. This Old House: multiply the system's age by the repair cost, and if the result tops $5,000, consider replacing. Fixr: replace if the repair costs more than half the price of a new unit. A big repair on an R-22 system is the clearest case, since the EPA says only recycled, reclaimed, or previously produced R-22 is available for repairs.

Frequently asked questions

Available across the Sacramento area

• Sacramento
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