“Let comfort be your guide,” says Tom Hutchinson of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling. Air conditioning is all about comfort, so the simplest way to evaluate your system is to ask: Am I comfortable?Air conditioning and HVAC units don’t last forever — 12 years is an average lifespan — and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most. The good news is that not every system malfunction spells total doom. Many nuisances are so cheap and easy to fix, you’ll kick yourself for not doing them sooner.Possible cause: Often, the most likely culprit is the easiest to remedy: The thermostat isn’t set correctly, or power isn’t reaching the AC unit.The fix: Make sure that the thermostat is set to AC or “cool,” that the temperature setting is correct, and that the battery is fresh. Second, check the circuit breaker: It could simply be a tripped fuse. Cost: FreePossible cause: ”Airflow is paramount to comfort,” notes Hutchinson. If you aren’t comfortable, the problem usually can be traced to issues with airflow.

The fix: Change the filter. (You should do this as part of regular HVAC maintenance anyway.) Depending on the quality of the filter, the amount of people living in the house, and if there are pets, the filter should be changed every 30-60 days. Outdoors, make sure there’s at least 24 inches of clearance on the sides and 5 feet on top of the unit. cheap ac repair phoenixAlso, check to make sure there are no obstructions to the home’s cold air returns and registers.install your own ac unitCost: $5 to $20, depending on the filter.window ac unit bostonPossible cause: A spike in operating costs typically signals inefficient operation. After a dirty filter (warning sign #2), the most likely culprit is a choked condensing coil. Located within the outdoor unit, the coil has countless cooling fins — much like a car radiator — that can accumulate dust and debris. 

The fix: Call out a pro for a spring tune-up.Cost: $75 to $150Possible cause: Rattling, buzzing, or ticking? The good news is that the cause might be little more than a loose screw. The bad news is that it could be caused by a bum blower motor (indoors) or bent fan blade (outdoors).The fix: If you’re lucky, a simple tightening here and lubricating there will fix the problem. If not, you might require a new fan motor or fan blade.Cost: $75 to $150 for an inspection and tune-up; $150 to $750 for a new blower motor.Possible cause: Improper placement of the thermostat can wreak havoc on one’s comfort. The unit might be in direct sun, too close to a register, or near a hot oven. Also, a remodel might have you spending more time where the thermostat is not.The fix: Relocate the thermostat.Cost: Free if you’re handy (and plan on reusing the same unit); up to $250 for a new programmable unit, plus another $90 for an electrician to install it.Possible cause: During normal operation, the system generates moisture in the form of condensate.

That water collects in a pan and flows out a line either into a floor drain or condensate sump basin. An accumulation of water signals a blockage or disconnection of the tube.The fix: Inspect the tube for crimps, clogs, and disconnections. Also, if the water flows into a sump basin, ensure that the sump pump is in good working order.Cost: Free to clean out blockage; $20 to replace the tube; $40 to $110 for a new condensate sump pump.Possible cause: The refrigerant lines aren’t insulated.The fix: The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor system by two copper refrigerant lines, which should be covered with insulating sleeves. Make sure that they are. Also, the system may need its refrigerant re-charged.Cost: $5 for insulating sleeves; up to $150 for a system re-charge.Possible cause: Burnt-out compressorThe fix: If the compressor fails, the unit won’t run. The only fix for this is a costly replacement of the equipment, which includes various small parts, new Freon, and labor.

Cost: $600 to $1,900. It might be wise to replace your air conditioner if it’s more than eight years old, or if the estimated cost of repair is more than 50% of the cost of a new unit.Repairing an air conditioner (AC) condenser typically involves replacing or fixing one or more parts that make up this complex component. Depending on the nature of the problem, the cost can range from $150 to more than $1,000. Homeowners can repair some minor AC condenser issues themselves, while some major issues require a professional to install a completely new AC unit. Below is an in-depth look at AC condensers and how to get them in shape. An AC unit has several main components, including a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator and an expansion valve. The AC condenser is the exterior component of the overall AC system, which means you’ll typically find it outside your home. This part plays an important role in heat transfer and is responsible for the AC unit’s cooling process. Essentially, an AC condenser converts refrigerant gas into liquid form.

It does this by facilitating a state change and cooling the gas with the help of a high-powered fan that passes air over a condensing coil. Once cooled, the liquid refrigerant moves along within the AC system to cool the building’s interior. Because the condenser and the compressor sound similar, homeowners sometimes confuse these two components. They have very different functions, though. The compressor serves as the heart of the AC unit, pumping pressurized gaseous refrigerant to the unit’s evaporator. All of an AC unit’s parts work together seamlessly to make this complex machine function. Though the AC condenser is considered a single component, it’s made up of several parts. The AC condenser’s coil, motor, fans, tubes and circuit board can all fail individually or together. They can also fail suddenly or slowly over a long period. Here are some of the most common problems you’ll run into with an AC condenser. Because most home AC units’ condensers reside outside, it’s not unusual for the condenser or some of its parts to attract dirt and debris.

It’s also relatively common for grass, brush and other plant matter to grow around the unit, surrounding it and preventing it from working properly. If you notice that your AC unit isn’t cooling your home like it should, first check the condenser’s exterior condition to be sure it’s reasonably clean. Leaks within faulty tubes and seals are common reasons for condenser failure. The component’s tubes can rupture, get punctured or become brittle and break apart. The seals can wear and break down after extensive use. While these parts can fail as the result of an impact, they typically fail due to regular, ongoing wear. Need to find a pro for your air condenser? Particles and debris can accumulate within the AC unit and lead to blockages, ultimately causing condenser failure. While some of this debris might be external, it’s more often the result of metal particles that have flaked off the condenser itself. This essentially leads to the condenser self-destructing, and it’s usually the result of age or poor maintenance.

The AC condenser’s run capacitors energize the component’s fan motors. A run capacitor that’s gone bad will cause a jump but won’t actually start the motor. There’s a good chance the condenser’s run capacitor is bad when the motor won’t start anymore. Run capacitors can decline gradually or go out suddenly. The condenser fan relay switch is the critical part of the condenser that switches the fan on and off when you turn the AC unit on and off. Without a functioning fan, the condenser and the larger AC unit won’t work effectively. The condenser’s control board is the circuit board that communicates between the various parts. When the control board is faulty, communication breaks down. Critical parts like the fan motor and the coil don’t function or switch on or off like they should, which compromises the entire component. A damaged coil is one of the most severe problems an AC condenser can have. A variety of things, including debris, impact and corrosion, can damage a coil.

Because this is such an integral part of the overall component, a damaged coil instantly compromises the entire AC unit. When the condenser’s motor starts to go, it’s often a gradual process. Instead of flaming out in a dramatic fashion, the fan motor will start to move more slowly, working much less effectively over time. Condenser motors typically fail as the result of stress and poor maintenance over a long period. When you’re determining whether to repair or replace your condenser, consider your AC unit’s age. Technological advances for AC units roll out every few years, so you might benefit from simply replacing the condenser or the entire unit if it’s more than 10 years old. Even if a repair would fix the problem, installing a newer and more efficient unit could save you money in the long run. There’s much more to an efficient and fully functional AC unit than just the condenser, compressor, evaporator or other primary components. You might notice that your home doesn’t cool properly even when the AC unit runs smoothly.

If this happens, consider other factors within the AC system. Most AC condenser issues require professional help, but with a little know-how, the average homeowner can tackle basic condenser maintenance. The average cost for an AC unit repair is about $200 to $600 per fix. Some homeowners spend as little as $100 for basic maintenance or a quick part swap, while others spend as much as $1,000 for more complex jobs and parts. No matter how extensive the work, make sure the contractor you hire offers a warranty lasting for at least one year. This is important for guaranteeing the contractor’s work and ensuring you’re getting what you’ve paid for. Cleaning and maintaining the condenser and the surrounding area typically doesn’t require parts. Most contractors will charge for labor only, which starts at about $50 per hour. A leaking condenser requires a complete replacement. The average cost for a new condenser is about $1,750. It’s possible to keep an AC unit running despite a blockage, but a repair like this requires extensive work and multiple parts.

Plan on replacing the condenser, compressor, receiver dryer and tubes, or simply replace the entire AC unit. A new condenser typically costs about $1,750 to replace, while a new compressor costs about $2,000. Depending on the size of your home, a new AC unit might be less expensive than replacing these major components. This is one of the cheaper repairs you can have done. Depending on where you live, you can typically pay a pro $150 to $275 to install a new run capacitor for you, which will get your fan moving and your condenser working again. This is another inexpensive AC condenser repair. A professional will charge an average of $175 to $275, depending on your location. This typically costs $150 to $400 to fix, depending on the AC unit model and the control board’s complexity. A coil replacement is one of the most significant AC condenser repairs. Not only is this a very expensive part, but some coils can also be hard to get, depending on the model. Replacing the coil also requires extensive labor.