An outside unit that hums while the fan stays still is the call we get most in July in Olympia, 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.
Heating trouble instead? See Furnace Repair.
Warning Signs for AC Repair
Catching these issues early helps you avoid costly problems. These are the signals our technicians see most often:
- Water leaking around the indoor unit or from the ceiling below it
- A condenser fan that sits still while the outdoor unit hums
- Bubbling or hissing noises that point to a possible refrigerant leak
- Rapid on-off cycling that never brings the temperature down
- A burning smell or repeated breaker trips when the AC starts
- Room-temperature air from the registers even though the AC is running
- An iced-over evaporator coil or frozen refrigerant lines
- Rising electric costs paired with a sticky, uncomfortable house
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
Left unchecked, even a small fault or temperature swing often signals a system working its way toward a breakdown. Call (253) 660-4927 at the first sign of trouble.
