AC Repair in Austin, TX

What fails, and roughly how often

Austin systems run long and hard through the summer and then sit mostly idle. That pattern wears out a predictable list of parts. Most repairs are the small ones at the top of this table.

Failure	What you notice	How serious
Capacitor	Outdoor fan will not start, or the unit hums and stops	Small and common
Contactor	Nothing happens outside when the thermostat calls for cooling, or the unit will not shut off	Small
Clogged condensate drain	System shuts off, or water appears around the indoor unit or in a ceiling	Small, but water damage adds up
Frozen evaporator coil	Ice on the copper lines, weak airflow, warm air	Depends on the cause: filter, airflow or refrigerant
Refrigerant leak	Cooling fades over days or weeks, ice on lines	Moderate to major; the leak is the repair
Fan motor	Outdoor fan stops, or grinding and squealing	Moderate
Compressor	Outdoor unit runs but moves no heat, or trips the breaker	Major; often where repair or replace comes up

Technician opening an outdoor air conditioner beside a brick home — Most summer failures are found at the outdoor unit, and many are inexpensive parts.

Before the technician arrives

Turn the system off if you see ice on the lines, hear grinding, smell burning, or see the outdoor fan still while the unit hums.
Check both breakers and the disconnect switch beside the outdoor unit.
Replace a dirty filter. It is the most common cause of a frozen coil.
Keep people cool. Close west-facing blinds, stay on the lowest floor, and watch anyone elderly, very young or unwell. Confusion or fainting means call 911 first.

R-410A systems can still be repaired

Most new systems now use R-454B or R-32, but R-410A is still legal to buy and use for servicing existing equipment, and millions of homes still run it. A working R-410A system does not have to be replaced because of its refrigerant. If a repair involves a leak, the question is whether the leak can be found and fixed at a sensible cost, not whether the refrigerant is going away.

Free guide: before you replace a system, read the free homeowner guide to the refrigerant change.

Repair or replace

Three things usually decide it: the age of the system, what failed, and how the repair cost compares with replacement. One of them on its own rarely tips the balance. A failed capacitor on a fifteen-year-old system is still a repair. A failed compressor on a system approaching twenty years, or a system that needs refrigerant every summer, is where replacement starts to make sense. Ask for both numbers.

Technician inspecting an indoor air handler — Inside, the technician checks the coil, blower, drain pan and float switch.

Questions that keep a quote honest

What exactly failed, and can I see it?
Is there a service or diagnostic fee, and is it credited against the repair?
What is your Texas air conditioning contractor license number? You can check it at tdlr.texas.gov.
What does the repair warranty cover, and for how long?

What happens when you call

The line answers right away, day or night. Say what the system is doing and you will be put through to a licensed local HVAC company, which hears a short summary before it picks up. The technician diagnoses the system on site and gives you a price before any work starts. The call and the connection cost you nothing.

Common questions

How much does AC repair cost in Austin?

It depends on what failed. A capacitor or contactor is one of the least expensive repairs; a compressor or a leaking coil can cost enough to make replacement worth discussing. The licensed company doing the work sets the price after diagnosing the system, and you should see it in writing before work starts.

Why is my AC running but not cooling?

The usual causes are a failed capacitor, a clogged filter, a frozen coil or low refrigerant from a leak. Check the thermostat, filter and breakers first; if there is ice on the lines, turn the system off and call.

Can my R-410A system still be repaired?

Yes. R-410A is still available for servicing existing systems, and a working system does not have to be replaced because of its refrigerant.

Is there a fee just to come out?

Many companies charge a service or diagnostic fee. Ask on the call what it is and whether it is credited toward the repair.

AC not cooling? Get it fixed right