A humming outdoor unit with a fan that will not turn is the call we get most in July in Marysville, WA, and the cause is usually a failed run capacitor. That inexpensive component starts the compressor and fan, fades for years without complaint, and then quits under peak load. It is far from the only suspect, though. Contactors pit and stop passing clean power, condenser fan bearings dry out, small refrigerant leaks drain away cooling capacity, and evaporator coils ice over when a clogged filter strangles airflow.
For winter breakdowns, see Furnace Repair.
Warning Signs for AC Repair
The sooner you notice these red flags, the easier and cheaper the fix. Watch for these telltale signs:
- Bubbling or hissing noises that point to a possible refrigerant leak
- Room-temperature air from the registers even though the AC is running
- Water dripping from the indoor unit or showing up on the ceiling below
- Cooling bills climbing while the house stays sticky and warm
- A burning smell or repeated breaker trips when the AC starts
- A condenser fan that sits still while the outdoor unit hums
- An iced-over evaporator coil or frozen refrigerant lines
- Rapid on-off cycling that never brings the temperature down
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
A failing capacitor, clogged condensate drain, or dirty flame sensor rarely fixes itself and usually gets more expensive to address the longer it runs. Don't wait, call (425) 969-3340 and we'll take a look right away.
