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AC Repair
AC Repair for Rhode Island Homes
The AC is running but the house will not cool, ice is on the lines, or water is dripping where it should not. Here is where we look first.
Symptoms
Signs Your AC Needs Repair
- It runs all day and the house still feels warm
- Air from the vents is weak, or only lukewarm
- Ice on the refrigerant line or the indoor coil
- Water around the indoor unit or a drain line that keeps backing up
- The outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin, or it will not start
- The breaker trips when the AC starts
Diagnosis
Central Air and Ductless: What Gets Checked
The checks differ a little by system type.
Central Air
Filter and indoor coil, blower, condensate drain, the outdoor coil and fan, the capacitor and contactor, and the refrigerant circuit. Ice on the coil usually points to low airflow or a refrigerant problem.
Ductless Mini-Splits
Indoor unit filters and coil, the condensate line, the fan, the outdoor unit and the connecting lines. A mini-split that leaks inside is often a clogged drain or a dirty coil.
Airflow and Controls
Ductwork that leaks or is crushed, closed or blocked returns, and thermostat settings can all make a good AC feel like a bad one. We check these before blaming the equipment.
Your Options
Repair or Replace?
A failed capacitor, fan motor or drain clog is a repair. A leak in the coil of an older system is a harder call.
Look at the age of the unit, how often it has needed work and how well it keeps up on the hottest days. If the equipment is old and repairs are stacking up, compare a new system before paying for another fix. Our central air conditioning page covers sizing and what to ask for. If your house has no ducts, or one floor never cools, ductless mini-splits may be the better answer than repairing a system that was never right for the house.
Before the Season
A Spring Check Before the First Heat Wave
The first hot week is when every AC company is busiest. A check in spring finds the problem while it is still small.
- Replace or clean the filter, and keep plants and debris at least 2 feet from the outdoor unit
- Rinse leaves and cottonwood off the outdoor coil with a gentle hose, with the power off
- Run the system for 15 minutes in May and look for ice, leaks or odd noises
- Pour water into the condensate drain access to see that it flows
A professional check goes further, with electrical connections, the capacitor, refrigerant performance and airflow. See maintenance and repair for what a seasonal tune-up covers.
AC Repair Questions
Why Is My AC Running but Not Cooling?
The usual suspects are a dirty filter, a frozen indoor coil, a dirty outdoor coil, a failed fan or capacitor, or low refrigerant from a leak. Start by checking the filter and looking for ice.
My AC Is Frozen. What Should I Do?
Turn the cooling off and set the fan to on so the ice melts. Do not chip it off. Replace a dirty filter, and if it freezes again, call for a diagnostic, since low refrigerant needs a technician.
Why Is Water Leaking From My Indoor Unit?
Most often the condensate drain is clogged, or the drain pan is cracked. Turn the system off to stop the water until it is cleared.
Do You Repair Mini-Splits as Well as Central Air?
Yes. We diagnose and repair central air systems and ductless mini-splits. Tell us the brand and the symptoms when you call.
Get a Free Estimate
Tell us what is going on with your system. We will get back to you with next steps.