Air conditioning repair near Harrison, NY

Signs your AC needs a repair

• The system runs but the air from the vents is not cold
• The outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin
• Ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil
• Water leaking near the indoor unit or furnace
• The system will not start, or trips the breaker
• Rooms feel damp even when it is running

What usually goes wrong

Capacitors are among the most common AC repairs. They help the compressor and fan motors start, and they wear out with heat and age. Other frequent problems include refrigerant leaks, a failing condenser fan motor, a clogged condensate drain and a dirty filter or coil. Compressor failure is the expensive one, and on an older system it often tips the decision toward replacement.

On many homes, central air shares the furnace's blower and ducts. If the furnace blower is weak, the AC will feel weak too. A technician should check the whole system, not only the outdoor unit.

Things you can safely check

Make sure the thermostat is set to cool and below room temperature, the filter is clean and the breakers for the indoor and outdoor units are on. Clear leaves and debris from around the outdoor unit. Do not open electrical panels on the units or handle refrigerant. Those jobs need a trained, certified technician.

Repair or replace

If the system is more than about 15 years old and needs a compressor or a major refrigerant repair, ask for a replacement price too. Many older systems use refrigerant that is now expensive to service. If you are replacing the AC, it is worth asking about a heat pump, which cools in summer and also heats.

How to send a request

Use the estimate form and tell us your town, what the system is doing and its age if you know. We pass your request to an independent contractor who contacts you to set a visit and give you a price. Spring and early summer are busy, so a checkup before the first heat wave can save a wait later.

Keeping the system healthy

Most AC problems build slowly. A filter that gets changed every one to three months, an outdoor unit kept clear of leaves and grass clippings, and a yearly checkup go a long way. During a checkup, a technician typically cleans the coils, clears the condensate drain, tests the capacitor and checks refrigerant pressures. In older Westchester homes where the air handler sits in a hot attic, a clogged drain line can leak through the ceiling, so ask the technician to look at the drain pan and any overflow switch too.

Questions homeowners ask