ServicesAC Repair
AC Repair in Colfax, WA
When your air conditioner quits or starts acting up, we track down the cause, walk you through it with photos and put the repair price on paper for your approval. Once it's fixed, we check back to be sure your home stays cool and show you how to keep it that way.
Getting Your Cooling Back, and Keeping It
Most air conditioners do not fail all at once. A capacitor weakens, a contactor pits, a coil clogs, and the system limps along until a hot afternoon pushes it over the edge. Our job is to find the real cause, not just the part that finally gave out, so you are not calling us again next week.
AC repair is the right call when the system is reasonably young and the problem is a part, a refrigerant leak we can fix, or a drain or airflow issue. If your unit is old and the repair would cost close to a new one, we tell you that plainly and leave the choice with you.
The part most companies skip is the follow-up. We call to ask how the system is running, and we walk you through the simple things that keep it healthy: when to change the filter, how much clearance the outdoor unit needs, and what a new noise might mean.
What an AC Repair Visit Includes
A full diagnostic
We test the electrical parts, refrigerant pressures, both coils, the blower and the thermostat, then tell you what we found in everyday words instead of reading off a part number.
Photos of what we found
It's easier to believe a scorched wire or swollen capacitor when you see it yourself. We show you first, then ask whether to go ahead.
A written quote before any work
The repair price is on paper before anything happens. No part gets swapped until you say yes.
The repair and a test run
After the repair, we run the system and measure the air at your vents to make sure it's really cooling and not just running.
Furnace-side checks when needed
Central air usually shares its blower and cabinet with a gas furnace. Because we hold a gas heating mechanical license, we can safely work on the furnace side too if that's where the problem is.
A follow-up call
A few days later we call to confirm the system is still running as it should.
When Your AC Is Telling You Something Is Wrong
Air that never gets cold
The blower is running, but the air at the vents feels about as warm as the room. The usual causes are a failing capacitor, refrigerant lost to a leak or a dirty coil.
A hum with no fan movement
When the outdoor unit hums but its fan doesn't turn, a weak capacitor or stuck motor is most often to blame. Turn the system off at the thermostat so the compressor doesn't overheat.
Frost on the copper lines
Ice or white frost on the refrigerant line or indoor coil points to trouble with airflow or refrigerant. Turn the system off and let the ice thaw before we arrive.
Short cycling
A system that starts and stops every few minutes wears its parts out quickly and never pulls the moisture out of the air.
Water around the indoor unit
A blocked condensate drain or a cracked drain pan can drip onto floors and ceilings. Spotting it early keeps water damage out of your home.
New noises or a burning smell
If you hear squealing or grinding, or smell hot wiring, shut the system off and have it looked at.
How a Repair Visit Goes
- 1
You call and tell us what is happening
We ask a few questions about what the AC is doing and what kind of system you have, then book a time. Our line is answered day and night, and there are no emergency or after-hours fees.
- 2
We diagnose and explain
The technician tests the system, shows you what broke and why, and writes up a quote. If your unit isn't worth repairing, we tell you.
- 3
We fix it and clean up
After you approve, we do the repair, check the cooling and leave the area the way we found it. During dry summer weather we also rinse the dust off the outdoor coil while we're there.
- 4
We check back
A few days later we call to see how the AC is doing, and we give you a short care list so small issues don't grow into big ones.
What Affects the Cost of AC Repair
Until we know what broke, we can't put a price on the fix, so we diagnose first and give you a written quote before starting. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee you paid comes off the total. These are the things that change the price.
- Which part gave out
- A new capacitor or contactor is a quick job with a low-cost part. A fan motor, coil or compressor takes more labor and pricier parts.
- Refrigerant type and leaks
- Refrigerant for older systems is hard to find and expensive. Tracking down and sealing a leak takes longer than just topping off the charge.
- Age and access
- Older units can have parts that are tougher to get, and a system tucked in a cramped attic or crawlspace takes more time to work on.
- Timing
- Nights and weekends don't raise our rates. During a heat wave, though, an uncommon part may take longer to arrive.
AC Repair Questions
Something not covered here? (509) 769-3613
Should I repair my air conditioner or replace it?
For a fairly new unit with one failed part, repair is usually the better choice. For an older unit on phased-out refrigerant that needs something major like a compressor, replacing it may be smarter. We put both options in writing and you choose. Our AC Installation page covers replacement.
Do you charge more for nights or weekends?
No. Our line is answered 24/7, and we charge no emergency or after-hours fees. A quote at midnight is figured the same way as one at noon.
What can I do before you arrive?
Check that the thermostat is set to cool and a few degrees under the room temperature, see whether the filter is clogged with dust and look for a tripped breaker in the panel. If you see ice on the lines or hear grinding, turn the system off and leave it off until our technician arrives.
How can I keep my AC from breaking down again?
Replace the filter when it's due, keep plants and yard debris a couple of feet from the outdoor unit and schedule a tune-up every spring. We go over this on our follow-up call. Our Maintenance Plans come with tune-ups and repair discounts, and members can extend install labor coverage if they replace equipment later.
Do you work outside Colfax?
Yes. Pullman, Moscow, Clarkston, Lewiston, Cheney and towns nearby are in our area too. Our Service Areas page has the complete list.
Let's Cool Your Home Back Down
Describe what your AC is doing and we'll handle the rest. You'll see a written quote before any work starts, and we'll call to check in after the repair.