HVAC answers
Your system is down and every number feels like a hostage note. These pages answer what actually failed, what it should cost, and whether to repair or replace, so you decide with a clear head.
Symptom
- Why is my AC blowing warm air, and how do you fix it?The six reasons an AC blows warm air, which three you can check yourself in five minutes, and which need a licensed pro. Cost ranges included, sourced and dated.
- Why won't my AC turn on?The order to check when an AC is completely dead: thermostat, breaker, condensate float switch, capacitor, contactor. What you can fix and what needs a pro, with cost ranges.
- Why is my AC frozen or leaking water inside?Why an AC ices up or drips water indoors, the two root causes, what to do right now to stop the damage, and which fixes are DIY versus a licensed pro.
- What does it mean when my AC makes a loud noise?Buzzing, grinding, banging, screeching, clicking, hissing: what each AC noise points to, which are safe to keep running, and which mean shut it off now.
Diagnosis
Decision
- How long should an AC unit last, and when is it near the end?Typical AC and heat pump lifespans, what shortens them, and the honest signs a system is near the end so you can plan a replacement instead of being surprised by one.
- How much does a new AC or full system cost to install?What a new central AC or full system replacement really costs installed, the four things that move the price, and how to read a replacement quote so you are not oversold.