ServicesAC Repair
AC Repair in Rathdrum
When your air conditioner stops cooling, we test the whole system before we name a fix. You see what we found, you get a written quote, and nothing gets replaced until you say so. Then we fix it and check that cold air is coming out of the vents.
What AC repair covers
Most air conditioners fail for a handful of reasons. A capacitor wears out. A contactor burns. A coil gets dirty or freezes. Refrigerant leaks out. Any one of those can leave you with a fan that runs and air that stays warm.
Our job is to find which one it is. We put gauges and a meter on the system, look at the parts, and tell you in plain words what broke and why. If a small part fixes it, that is what we recommend. If the unit is worn out and a repair would only buy a season or two, we say so plainly, and the choice stays yours.
Repair makes sense when the rest of the unit is sound. If you are leaning toward a new system, our AC Installation page explains how that works.
What we check and fix
Electrical parts
Capacitors, contactors, relays and wiring at the outdoor unit. A weak capacitor is the most common reason a compressor hums but won't start. We test it with a meter instead of guessing.
Refrigerant and leaks
We read pressures and temperatures to see if the charge is low. Low refrigerant means a leak somewhere. We look for it and talk with you about repairing it, not just topping it off.
Coils and airflow
A dirty condenser coil or a clogged filter makes the system work harder and can freeze the indoor coil. We clean what needs cleaning and check that air moves the way it should.
Fan motors
The outdoor fan and the indoor blower both have to run for the system to cool. We check each motor and its bearings.
Condensate drain
A plugged drain line can back up water and shut the system off through its safety switch. We clear it and make sure water flows away.
Thermostat and controls
Sometimes the problem is the signal, not the equipment. We confirm the thermostat is calling for cooling and the unit is answering.
Signs your AC needs a look
- Air at the vents isn't cold
- Air is moving, but it feels the same as the room. That usually comes back to a failed capacitor, a compressor that won't run or low refrigerant.
- Frost on the line or indoor coil
- Ice forming on the copper line or coil usually means poor airflow or a low charge. Turn the AC off at the thermostat and let it thaw until we get there.
- Humming or clicking outside
- If the outdoor unit hums without the fan turning, or keeps clicking, an electrical part is often on its way out.
- A breaker that won't stay on
- Stop flipping it back. Repeated trips can point to a shorted motor or compressor, and that needs a proper inspection.
- Water by the indoor unit
- A full drain pan or a damp patch near the furnace or air handler usually means the drain line is plugged.
- Constant on-off or climbing bills
- An AC that cycles every few minutes, or runs through a July afternoon and never catches up, is straining more than it should.
How a repair visit goes
- 1
You reach us by phone
Describe what the AC is doing and roughly when the trouble began. We pick a time to come out. If it quits at night or over a weekend, our 24/7 emergency HVAC repair covers it, and there are no emergency or after-hours fees.
- 2
We inspect
We check the thermostat, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. We take readings with gauges and a meter so the answer is based on numbers.
- 3
We show you what we found
We walk you through the problem in everyday words and hold up the worn part so you can see it. The price is written down and in your hands before we turn a single screw.
- 4
We fix it and test it
Once you approve, we make the repair. Then we run the system and measure the air going in and coming out to confirm it is cooling.
- 5
We clean up
We take the old parts and packaging with us and leave the work area the way we found it.
Why AC repair prices vary
We can't quote an AC repair before we know the cause, and causes differ from call to call. Replacing a tired capacitor is a small job; fixing a leaking coil is not. Finding the cause takes a diagnostic visit, which has a fee. If you have us do the repair, that fee is taken off the bill.
- Which part gave out
- A small electrical part costs much less to replace than a compressor, a coil or a fan motor.
- What refrigerant it uses, and how much
- Plenty of older units use R-22, which stopped being made years ago, so the remaining supply is pricey. Finding and sealing the leak adds labor on top of that.
- How easy the unit is to reach
- Working on an air handler wedged into an attic or crawlspace takes more time than working on one in an open basement.
- How old and worn the system is
- Older units can have several parts wearing out at once. We sort out what needs fixing now and what can hold off.
AC repair questions we hear
- Should I repair my air conditioner or replace it?
- It depends on the unit's age, what broke and the shape the rest of it is in. A minor repair on a sound system is usually money well spent. A failed compressor on an older unit can make replacement the better bet. We explain both paths and the decision is yours.
- Can't you just add refrigerant?
- We can, but it's a short-term answer. Air conditioners don't use up refrigerant, so running low means it's leaking out somewhere. We'd rather find the leak and walk you through fixing it than see you buy another recharge next summer.
- Is there a fee for the visit?
- Yes, there's a diagnostic fee for testing the system and pinning down the problem. If you have us do the repair, that fee comes off the bill. Either way, the price is in writing before work starts.
- How long does an AC repair take?
- A new capacitor or contactor is usually a single-visit job. Leak repairs, or a motor we have to order, take more time. We tell you the plan before starting.
- Is there anything I should check first?
- Confirm the thermostat is on cool and its batteries are good. See if the filter is packed with dust. Check the electrical panel for a tripped breaker on the outdoor unit. If the lines are iced over, leave the AC off until the ice melts.
- Do you work outside Rathdrum?
- Yes. We also repair air conditioners in Post Falls, Hayden, Coeur d'Alene, Liberty Lake and Otis Orchards-East Farms.
Get your AC looked at
Phone us with what your AC is doing, or not doing. We'll come out, track down the cause and put a written quote in your hands before we touch anything.