An air conditioning system that has stopped cooling on a 90-degree day is an inconvenience that ranges from uncomfortable to medically serious depending on the household. The repair industry knows this and exploits it. The number-one reason homeowners overpay for AC repair is the time pressure of a hot house combined with a technician who recommends a $1,200 component replacement when the actual problem is a $45 capacitor. Our practice is the reverse: diagnose accurately, show you the failed part, quote the repair in writing, and authorize work only with your explicit consent. No commissioned upsells. No "your system is on its last legs" pressure unless the diagnostic genuinely warrants that conversation.
We provide AC repair across the Greater Eastside with same-day dispatch during cooling season for most calls placed before 11 AM. Diagnostic visits are $149 and that cost is credited against any repair work performed during the same visit. Every repair is performed by a licensed HVAC technician with a documented diagnostic procedure, not a guess-and-replace approach.
The Most Common AC Failures We See on the Eastside
Eastside AC systems get less use than systems in hotter climates, which is good for component longevity but creates its own failure pattern — components that fail from corrosion, capacitor degradation, and infrequent operation cycles rather than from heavy duty cycling. The failures below account for roughly 80% of the calls we run.
Failed run capacitor
The capacitor is a small cylindrical or oval component that provides the starting and running torque for the compressor and the condenser fan motor. Capacitors degrade over time and almost always fail to a "starts but quickly stops" or "doesn't start at all" symptom. The condenser fan may run while the compressor does not, or the entire outdoor unit may sit silent while the indoor blower runs and produces no cooling. Capacitor failure accounts for roughly 30% of summer AC service calls. Replacement is straightforward and inexpensive: $250 to $450 including labor.
Failed contactor
The contactor is a relay that energizes the compressor and fan when the thermostat calls for cooling. Contactor contacts pit, weld, or burn over time from arcing during normal operation. Symptoms include intermittent operation, a humming outdoor unit that does not start, or a unit that runs continuously even when the thermostat is satisfied. Replacement is $400 to $700.
Failed condenser fan motor
The condenser fan motor draws outside air across the outdoor coil to reject heat. When it fails, the system continues to try to operate, the compressor runs without adequate heat rejection, and the system either trips on a high-pressure safety or, in older systems without that safety, damages the compressor. Symptoms include a hot outdoor unit with no fan spinning, a system that cools briefly then shuts down on high-pressure trip, or unusual noise from the outdoor unit. Replacement is $500 to $900.
Refrigerant leak
Refrigerant leaks are slow-developing problems that initially produce gradually reduced cooling and ultimately complete loss of cooling. Common leak locations include the evaporator coil (most expensive to repair), the condenser coil (moderately expensive), the line set between indoor and outdoor units, and the service valves. Leak repair runs $600 to $1,800 depending on location, refrigerant type (newer R-410A is more affordable; phased-out R-22 is increasingly expensive), and whether the coil itself must be replaced.
What we do not do
We do not "top up" refrigerant in a leaking system without identifying and repairing the leak. Topping up a leaking system is a temporary fix that releases greenhouse-gas refrigerant into the atmosphere, violates EPA regulations, and almost always fails again within months. Some contractors do this because it is a quick high-margin service call. We will quote a leak repair or, if repair is uneconomical, a system replacement.
Frozen evaporator coil
The indoor evaporator coil freezes when airflow over it is restricted (dirty filter, dirty blower wheel, collapsed duct) or when refrigerant charge is low. A frozen coil produces ice that blocks airflow entirely and eventually melts onto the floor near the air handler, producing a secondary water-damage problem. The fix depends on cause: clean or replace the filter, clean the blower wheel and coil, or repair the underlying refrigerant problem.
Failed compressor
The compressor is the heart of the AC system. When it fails, the system stops cooling entirely. Compressor failure is the most expensive single repair on a residential AC system: $1,800 to $3,500 including labor and refrigerant. On systems older than 10 to 12 years, compressor failure is usually the point at which full system replacement becomes the better economic choice.
Our Diagnostic Process
Every AC repair starts with a documented diagnostic procedure. We do not begin replacing components based on guesswork.
- Listen to the homeowner. What is the system doing? What is it not doing? When did the problem start? Has anything changed in the home or the weather pattern?
- Verify symptoms at the thermostat. Call for cooling. Observe whether the indoor blower runs. Observe whether the outdoor unit runs.
- Inspect the indoor air handler. Check filter condition. Check evaporator coil for ice or significant fouling. Check condensate drain. Verify blower motor and capacitor.
- Inspect the outdoor condenser. Check for debris in the coil. Listen for compressor and fan operation. Measure capacitor microfarads with a meter (the only reliable way to assess capacitor condition). Measure contactor condition. Verify refrigerant pressures and temperatures.
- Calculate superheat and subcooling. These two values indicate whether refrigerant charge is correct, whether airflow is adequate, and whether there is a refrigerant restriction.
- Identify the failed component or condition. Show it to you. Explain what failed and what it costs to repair.
- Quote the repair in writing. You authorize the repair (or decline) before any parts are installed.
- Perform the repair, verify operation, and document the work. System operation is verified before we leave the property.
Repair-Versus-Replace Honest Framework
Under 8 years old, any repair under $1,500. Repair. Substantial useful life remains.
8 to 12 years old, repair under $1,000. Repair. Still within useful life.
8 to 12 years old, repair $1,000–$2,000. Repair if the system is otherwise healthy. Replace if not.
12 to 15 years old, any significant repair. Honestly evaluate replacement.
Over 15 years old, any repair over $500. Strong case for replacement.
R-22 refrigerant system. Strong case for replacement on any refrigerant-related repair. R-22 is phased out, scarce, and expensive.
Pricing on the Eastside
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic service call (credited against repair) | $149 – $189 |
| After-hours / emergency diagnostic | $249 – $349 |
| Capacitor replacement | $250 – $450 |
| Contactor replacement | $400 – $700 |
| Condenser fan motor replacement | $500 – $900 |
| Refrigerant leak repair (typical) | $600 – $1,800 |
| Compressor replacement (residential) | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Annual AC tune-up & cleaning | $179 – $249 |
Annual Maintenance Plans
An annual maintenance visit before cooling season — typically scheduled April or early May — reduces the probability of mid-summer failure substantially. Maintenance includes coil cleaning, capacitor testing, contactor inspection, refrigerant pressure verification, condensate drain clearing, electrical connection tightening, and filter replacement. Maintenance plans are available as annual contracts that include the spring visit and priority dispatch during peak season.
Get AC Service Today
Call 425-900-3610 for same-day dispatch during cooling season, or use the contact form for non-urgent scheduling. Emergency service is available 24/7 with a clearly disclosed after-hours surcharge.