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When it's 95°F outside and your AC stops working, you don't have time to become an HVAC expert. You need to know what's wrong, whether you can fix it yourself, and if not — what it's going to cost and how to find someone competent to do it.
This guide covers all of it. Each section is an overview. Where a topic goes deeper than an overview can handle, there's a link to a dedicated article that walks you through the details.
The Most Common Reasons an AC Stops Cooling
Most AC problems in summer fall into one of five categories:
Airflow problems — clogged air filter, blocked vents, or a frozen evaporator coil. These are the most common causes of an underperforming system and the most likely to be something you can fix yourself.
Refrigerant issues — low refrigerant from a leak somewhere in the system. The system still runs, but can't pull heat out of the air effectively. This always requires a licensed technician.
Electrical failures — a failed capacitor, a tripped breaker, or a control board problem. The capacitor (which starts and runs the outdoor fan and compressor) is the single most commonly replaced HVAC part in summer.
Thermostat problems — wrong settings, dead batteries, or a failed thermostat. These cause more service calls than most homeowners expect.
Mechanical failures — a failed compressor, blower motor, or condenser fan. These are less common but more expensive when they happen.
The order matters. Airflow and thermostat issues are worth checking yourself before you call anyone. Everything else is a job for a tech.
AC Running But Not Cooling? Start Here
If your AC is running — you can hear it, the thermostat is on — but the air coming out of the vents isn't cold, that's a specific diagnostic path.
The most common causes, in rough order of likelihood:
- Dirty air filter restricting airflow
- A frozen evaporator coil (often caused by the dirty filter)
- Thermostat settings that aren't actually calling for cooling
- A failed capacitor on the outdoor unit
- Low refrigerant from a leak
- A compressor or condenser fan that's failed
Several of these are free or cheap fixes. The filter takes two minutes. A thermostat check takes two minutes. Even a frozen coil can be thawed at home by switching the system to fan-only mode for a few hours.
For a complete walkthrough of all ten things to check before you call a technician — including what each symptom means and exactly when to stop and get help — see AC Not Cooling? 10 Things to Check Before Calling a Technician.
AC Blowing Warm Air
There's a difference between "not cooling enough" and "blowing warm air." Warm air from the vents usually means the cooling process has stopped entirely — the system is circulating air, but nothing is happening to that air before it comes out.
Common causes include the thermostat being set to FAN ON instead of AUTO (which runs the fan continuously regardless of whether the system is actually cooling), a refrigerant leak that's depleted the charge below the point where cooling is possible, a failed compressor, or a refrigerant metering device that's stuck or failed.
The diagnostic steps for warm air overlap with the not-cooling checklist, but the probable causes are different. A detailed breakdown of what's happening when your AC blows warm — and how to read the symptoms correctly — is in AC Blowing Warm Air: What It Means and What to Do.
What AC Repairs Actually Cost
The range is wide enough that "it depends" is genuinely true here, but most common repairs land somewhere specific:
- Capacitor replacement: $150 to $400 — the most common AC repair, especially in hot climates
- Refrigerant leak repair: $200 to $1,500 depending on severity and where the leak is
- Blower motor replacement: $400 to $900
- Compressor replacement: $1,500 to $3,500 — the expensive end, and often the point where replacement starts to make more sense
- Service call / diagnostic fee alone: $75 to $200, usually credited toward the repair if you hire the same company
Before any technician touches your system, they'll charge a diagnostic fee. Most reputable companies credit this toward the repair. It's worth asking about before you book.
Refrigerant costs are a particular variable in 2026. R-410A — the refrigerant in most systems installed before 2025 — is being phased out under the AIM Act. Prices have risen substantially. If your system uses R-410A and has a significant leak, the refrigerant cost alone can make repair look less attractive.
For a complete breakdown of repair costs by type, what drives the price up or down, and how to avoid overpaying, see the HVAC Repair Cost Guide.
Should You Repair Your AC or Replace It?
This is the question most homeowners dread, because the answer can involve writing a large check either way.
Two rules that actually work in practice:
The $5,000 rule: Multiply the system's age (in years) by the cost of the repair. If the result exceeds $5,000, lean toward replacement. A $350 repair on a 10-year-old system is $3,500 — lean toward repair. A $500 compressor quote on a 12-year-old system is $6,000 — lean toward replacement.
The 50% rule: If the repair costs more than 50% of what a new system would cost installed, replacement is usually the better financial call. A new 2-ton central AC with installation runs roughly $3,500 to $6,000 depending on efficiency tier and your market. A $2,500 repair on a 12-year-old system is in that territory.
ASHRAE data puts the median lifespan of a residential central air conditioner at 15 years. Systems that've had regular annual maintenance can push past that. Systems that've been neglected — run for years without filter changes, without coil cleaning, without a refrigerant check — often don't.
Age alone isn't the deciding factor. A 16-year-old system that's been well-maintained and just needs a capacitor is probably worth fixing. A 14-year-old system with a failed compressor, on refrigerant that's being phased out, is a harder call.
The honest way to get an answer: ask the technician directly what condition the rest of the system is in. A good tech will tell you. A tech who recommends a full replacement on a system that doesn't need it — or keeps repairing an aging system when they know it's circling the drain — is telling you something about how they operate.
Is a Heat Pump Worth Considering?
If you're replacing an older air conditioner, heat pumps are worth understanding before you commit.
A heat pump does what a central AC does — it cools your home in summer. The difference is that it can also heat in winter by running the refrigeration cycle in reverse, pulling heat from outdoor air and moving it inside. In moderate climates, this replaces a furnace entirely. In colder climates, most heat pump installs pair with a backup electric resistance or gas furnace for very cold days.
Modern heat pumps — particularly cold-climate models rated for low temperatures — have made the efficiency comparison much more favorable than it was five years ago. In climates that don't get consistently below 20°F for extended periods, a heat pump can significantly lower heating costs versus a gas furnace.
The upfront cost is higher than a straight AC replacement, and the right choice depends on your climate, your existing heating system, and your energy costs. A full comparison of heat pumps versus traditional furnace-and-AC setups, including where each makes financial sense, is in Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Which Is Right for Your Home?.
Rebates and Incentives for New High-Efficiency Systems
If you're replacing a system, the incentive landscape changed in 2026.
The federal Section 25C tax credit — which offered up to $2,000 for heat pumps and $600 for qualifying central AC systems — expired for installations after December 31, 2025. Systems installed in 2025 are still eligible for that credit on the 2025 tax return.
What remains active in 2026: state energy office rebates, utility company rebates, and the IRA-funded HOMES and HEAR programs. These vary significantly by state and utility territory. ENERGY STAR certification is typically the minimum qualification standard for state and utility programs.
For current availability, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency at dsireusa.org catalogs every active program by state. Some programs are generous — others have low funding caps and run out mid-year.
A complete rundown of what's available, how to find your specific programs, and what equipment qualifies is in HVAC Rebates and Tax Credits: What's Available in 2026.
How to Find a Qualified Technician
This is where homeowners lose money most often — not on the repair itself, but by hiring the wrong person to do it.
The basics: any technician who handles refrigerants must hold EPA Section 608 certification under federal law. That's the federal floor. Most states also require HVAC contractors to hold a state-issued license, which requires documented experience, passed exams, and proof of insurance. Before anyone touches your system, you can verify their license on your state contractor licensing board's website in about three minutes.
Beyond the credentials, there are behavioral signals that separate good contractors from bad ones: a willingness to provide a written, itemized estimate before starting work; a diagnostic fee that's credited toward the repair; a clear explanation of what they found and what they recommend. Pressure to approve a large repair on the spot without a written estimate is a red flag.
The HVAC market also has platforms that work differently from general contractor marketplaces. When you post a service request on HVACJobs.IO, local licensed technicians see your job description and respond with availability and quotes — you're not buying a lead and getting cold-called, you're hearing from techs who reviewed your specific situation.
If you're in an area with a lot of local options and want to vet them carefully before calling, the full guide to checking credentials, spotting red flags, and asking the right questions is at How to Find a Reliable HVAC Technician Near You.
Finding Local HVAC Repair in Your Area
For homeowners who want to search by city or trade, HVACJobs.IO maintains local directory pages for HVAC repair across hundreds of markets. These pages list licensed technicians serving specific areas and can be a starting point if you want to see who's operating in your city before you post a job.
See the HVAC repair local directory to find service in your area.
When You Need Help Now
If you've read through the troubleshooting steps and still can't figure out what's wrong — or you've confirmed the problem is beyond a filter change and thermostat check — the fastest path to getting quotes is to describe the problem directly to licensed technicians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my AC running but not cooling the house? The most common causes are a clogged air filter, a frozen evaporator coil, a failed capacitor on the outdoor unit, or low refrigerant from a leak. Start by replacing the filter and checking that all vents are open. If those are fine, look at the outdoor unit — is the fan spinning? If not, a capacitor failure is a likely candidate. See the full AC not cooling troubleshooting guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
How do I know if my AC needs refrigerant? Signs of low refrigerant include ice forming on the refrigerant lines or outdoor unit, the system running continuously without meaningfully cooling the house, and a hissing or bubbling sound from around the air handler or outdoor unit. Refrigerant doesn't simply deplete — if it's low, there's a leak somewhere. Only a licensed technician with EPA 608 certification can diagnose and repair a refrigerant issue.
What is the average lifespan of a central AC unit? ASHRAE's data puts the median at 15 years for residential split-system AC. Well-maintained systems in moderate climates can go 18 to 20 years. Systems that run hard in hot climates with minimal maintenance typically see the first major failures between years 10 and 12.
At what point should I replace my AC instead of repairing it? Use the $5,000 rule: multiply the system's age by the repair cost. If the result exceeds $5,000, lean toward replacement. Also consider refrigerant type — if your system uses R-410A (most systems installed before 2025), refrigerant costs are rising significantly as the phaseout continues, which changes the economics of any repair involving the refrigerant circuit.
How much does AC repair cost? Most common repairs run $150 to $900. A capacitor replacement — the single most frequent fix — runs $150 to $400. Refrigerant leak repair runs $200 to $1,500. A compressor replacement is the worst-case scenario at $1,500 to $3,500. The diagnostic fee ($75 to $200) is usually credited toward the repair. Full breakdown in the HVAC repair cost guide.
Can I add refrigerant to my AC myself? No. Handling refrigerant requires EPA Section 608 certification under federal law. Beyond the legal requirement, diagnosing a refrigerant issue correctly — finding the leak before just adding refrigerant — requires equipment most homeowners don't have. A company that adds refrigerant without finding the leak is doing you a disservice; the same problem will return within a season.
Are there still rebates for replacing an old AC with a new high-efficiency system? The federal Section 25C tax credit expired for new installs after December 31, 2025. State rebate programs, utility rebates, and IRA-funded programs (HOMES and HEAR) remain active in 2026, but vary widely by state and utility territory. See the HVAC rebates and tax credits guide for current availability.
How do I find a good HVAC technician I can trust? Check that any contractor you hire holds an active state HVAC license (verify on your state licensing board's website), carries general liability and workers' comp insurance, and has EPA 608 certification if the repair involves refrigerant. Get a written, itemized estimate before approving any repair over $200. Full vetting process in How to Find a Reliable HVAC Technician Near You.