Cooling
AC Repair
Warm air from the vents, ice on the lines or an outdoor unit that just hums. We diagnose it properly and tell you whether it's worth fixing.
Most air conditioner breakdowns come from a short list of causes: a failed capacitor or contactor, a dirty outdoor coil, a clogged filter freezing the indoor coil, a blocked drain or a slow refrigerant leak. Kelvin Heating & Cooling finds the cause, explains it in plain language and gives you the price before we start, along with an honest opinion on whether the system is worth repairing.
Common air conditioner problems we fix
- Blowing warm air — failed capacitors, contactors or outdoor fan motors, and compressors that won't start.
- Frozen lines or coil — usually poor airflow from a dirty filter or coil, or low refrigerant.
- Refrigerant leaks — leaks are found and repaired before recharging, rather than topping up year after year.
- Water leaks indoors — blocked condensate drains, cracked pans and failed condensate pumps.
- Tripped breakers — electrical faults and failing components that pull too much current.
- Noise — rattling panels, failing fan motors and banging at start-up.
What to check before you call
- Thermostat. Set to cool, set below room temperature, fan on auto.
- Filter. A clogged filter can freeze the coil. If the lines are iced, turn cooling off and run the fan to thaw.
- Power. Check the breaker and the disconnect switch beside the outdoor unit.
- Outdoor unit. Clear away grass clippings, leaves and anything stacked against it.
Repair or replace?
A failed capacitor or contactor on a younger system is an easy repair. A compressor failure, a large leak or an older system on discontinued R-22 refrigerant is different. In those cases, we'll give you the repair price and a replacement option side by side, explain the trade-offs and let you decide. We don't recharge a leaking system over and over without telling you where the refrigerant is going. If the system is worth keeping, we'll also suggest the maintenance that helps it last.
If your system is old and needs a major part, compare the repair against a new air conditioner or a heat pump. Yearly maintenance catches most of these problems early.
What affects the cost of AC repair
AC repair costs vary with the part and the cause. Capacitors and contactors are among the most common and affordable repairs. Outdoor fan motors, condensate pumps and coil cleaning cost more. Refrigerant leaks take time to locate, then require repair, a pressure test, evacuation and a recharge, and the refrigerant type affects the price. Compressor failure is the most expensive repair and on an older system usually leads to a replacement conversation. We price everything in writing first.
AC Repair questions
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
A failed outdoor fan or capacitor, a dirty coil, a frozen indoor coil and low refrigerant are the most common causes. Turn the system off if the lines are iced.
Is it worth recharging an old R-22 system?
R-22 has been phased out, so recharging is expensive and the leak will likely return. For older R-22 systems, replacement usually makes more sense.
How fast can you come out?
It depends on the season and the schedule. Call us and we'll give you an honest time rather than a vague window.
Where we offer AC repair
We provide AC repair for homeowners in Novi, Troy and Canton. See what to expect in your area:
Comfort you don't have to think about.
See a ballpark for a new system in about a minute, or book a home visit for a written, itemized quote.