AC Repair for Tyler Homes
An air conditioner in East Texas runs for months at a time, often in heat and humidity that push it to its limits. When it stops keeping up, the cause is usually one of a short list of parts, and a good repair finds which one and why it failed.
The short version
Many AC failures come from a few parts: capacitors, contactors, fan motors, a clogged filter or coil, a blocked condensate drain, or a refrigerant leak. Ask what was tested, what failed, and, if refrigerant was added, where the leak is and whether it was repaired.
- Typical asks: AC runs but will not cool, outdoor fan not spinning, ice on lines, water in the closet or ceiling
- Ask about: cause, parts, refrigerant leak repair
AC repair estimate request
About a minute. Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.
- Common scope
- Diagnose, replace capacitor, contactor or motor, clean coils, clear drains, find and repair leaks, test the thermostat
- Season to plan around
- Late spring, before the first heat wave
- House watch-out
- Attic air handlers can leak through ceilings when drains clog
- Safety
- Outdoor units carry high voltage and stored charge in capacitors
Check these first
- Thermostat set to cool, with the setpoint below room temperature and fresh batteries.
- Breakers for the indoor and outdoor units are on, and the outdoor disconnect is in place.
- The filter is clean. A clogged filter can freeze the coil and cut airflow.
- The outdoor unit is not blocked by grass, leaves or plants.
ENERGY STAR's maintenance checklist covers these homeowner steps (ENERGY STAR, heating and cooling).
Common repairs around East Texas
- Capacitors: they help start the compressor and fan motors and wear out faster in heat. A hum with no fan spinning is a classic sign.
- Contactors: the switch that turns the outdoor unit on; pitted contacts cause failures to start.
- Fan motors: outdoor condenser fans and indoor blowers both fail with age.
- Dirty coils: pollen, cottonwood fluff, dust and grass clippings coat outdoor coils; dirty indoor coils restrict airflow.
- Condensate drains: East Texas humidity produces a lot of water. Algae clogs the drain line and the safety switch shuts the system off, or water overflows.
- Refrigerant leaks: a system that is low on refrigerant has a leak. Adding refrigerant without finding the leak is a temporary fix.
Refrigerant rules
The U.S. EPA requires anyone who handles refrigerant to be certified and regulates leak repair and recovery (U.S. EPA, refrigerant management (Section 608)). R-22, used in many systems installed before 2010, is no longer produced for new use, so recharging an older R-22 system relies on limited reclaimed supply. That often pushes the repair-or-replace decision. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Heat waves
The National Weather Service Shreveport office issues heat advisories for Tyler and Smith County during extended hot spells (National Weather Service Shreveport (covers Tyler and Smith County)). Most systems are designed to hold a set difference between indoor and outdoor temperature; on the hottest afternoons, a properly working system may run nonstop and still fall a few degrees behind the setpoint. Closing blinds on sunny sides and keeping the filter clean help.
Frozen coils
Ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil usually means low airflow or low refrigerant. Turn cooling off and run the fan only until the ice melts, replace the filter, and if it refreezes, have it checked. See what shapes an AC repair.
Sizing up the job: see what shapes an AC repair on the estimate-factors page. It lists what moves the scope, never a price.
Further reading
Sources for this page: ENERGY STAR, heating and cooling; U.S. EPA, refrigerant management (Section 608); National Weather Service Shreveport (covers Tyler and Smith County).
AC Repair: what people ask
Why is my AC blowing warm air?
Common causes are a failed capacitor or contactor in the outdoor unit, a dirty coil, low refrigerant or a thermostat problem. Check the filter, breaker and thermostat first.
Why is there ice on my AC lines?
Usually low airflow from a dirty filter or coil, or low refrigerant. Turn cooling off, let it thaw and replace the filter.
Why is water leaking from my AC?
Most often a clogged condensate drain. Algae grows in the line in humid weather.
Can I just add refrigerant?
Refrigerant does not get used up. Low refrigerant means a leak, which should be found and repaired.
My AC cannot keep up on the hottest days. Is it broken?
Not necessarily. Many systems run nonstop during extreme heat. If it cannot keep up on milder days, have it checked.
AC repair estimates by town
Home age, house styles, building offices and even the utility change from one town to the next. Pick yours for local notes.
Tyler and north Smith County
South and east Smith County
Nearby East Texas cities
Often planned alongside
HVAC Maintenance & Tune-Ups
Spring cooling and fall heating tune-ups: coils, drains, electrical parts, refrigerant checks, burners and safety controls.
AC & Heat Pump Replacement
Replacing worn-out AC systems and heat pumps: load calculations, matched indoor and outdoor equipment, SEER2 efficiency, refrigerant changes and permits.
Ductwork & Airflow
Leaky, crushed or undersized attic ducts, weak airflow, hot rooms upstairs, returns, insulation and balancing.
Planning ac repair work?
Send the details and expect a call back to talk the project through.