When the air conditioning quits in New Orleans, LA, the house tells you fast, and so does everyone in it. The part that fails most often is the humble run capacitor: a few dollars of electronics that starts the compressor and fan, weakens quietly for years, and finally lets go on a brutal afternoon, leaving the outdoor unit humming but the fan still. Right behind it come pitted contactors that no longer pass power cleanly, condenser fan motors with dry bearings, refrigerant leaks that slowly bleed the system's capacity away, and evaporator coils that ice over solid whenever airflow collapses behind a clogged filter.
For winter breakdowns, see Furnace Repair.
Warning Signs for AC Repair
The sooner you notice these red flags, the easier and cheaper the fix. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- Room-temperature air from the registers even though the AC is running
- Puddles near the air handler or water stains on the ceiling beneath it
- The outdoor unit humming or clicking but the fan not spinning
- A hiss or gurgle from the lines, a common sign of leaking refrigerant
- Frost or ice forming on the copper lines or the indoor coil
- Cooling bills climbing while the house stays sticky and warm
- The system short-cycling every few minutes without cooling the house
- A burning smell or repeated breaker trips when the AC starts
Early Action Saves Money
Most HVAC failures start small, a weak capacitor, a squealing blower, a system that runs a little longer each week. At the first hint of a problem, call (504) 531-6048 for a fast inspection.
