AC Repair FAQ — Chandler, AZ

It depends on what failed. Replacing a capacitor is a short job with an inexpensive part. Fixing a refrigerant leak takes more time and materials. A failed compressor on a unit that is 20 years old is a different conversation entirely. There is no honest flat price without seeing the system first. Call for a free estimate.

A system that is under 12 to 15 years old and has a repairable problem is usually worth fixing. Once a unit is older than that and the compressor or coil is failing, the repair cost often gets close to what a new system costs. We will give you both numbers so you can decide.

The most common reasons are low refrigerant from a slow leak, a dirty evaporator coil that is blocking airflow, or a failing capacitor that is making the compressor run weakly. In the West Chandler and Dobson Ranch areas, we also see a lot of units with clogged drain lines that trigger safety shutoffs and look like cooling failures.

Close the blinds on the south and west sides of the house to slow heat gain. Run ceiling fans to circulate the air that is already cooled. Keep doors closed between rooms you are not using. If anyone in the house is elderly or very young, get them somewhere air conditioned while you wait.

A straightforward repair like a capacitor or contactor replacement takes an hour or less once the tech is on site. A refrigerant leak repair takes longer because we have to find the leak, fix it, and then verify the system is holding pressure. If parts need to be ordered for an older unit, that adds time.

Most basic repairs — replacing a capacitor, cleaning coils, fixing a refrigerant leak — do not require a permit in Chandler. Full system replacements and some refrigerant work involving newer refrigerant types do. We will tell you up front if your job needs a permit before work starts.