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Central air, heat pumps, mini-splits and package units
AC Repair Services in Los Angeles
A proper AC repair starts with finding the real cause, not guessing and swapping parts. You get a clear diagnosis, a photo of what failed, a written price and an honest answer on whether the system is worth fixing.
- Every common system: split systems, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, rooftop and package units
- All major brands, from Carrier and Trane to Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin
- Repair first: we only talk replacement when the numbers say so
What a repair visit checks
- Thermostat, wiring and low-voltage controls
- Capacitors, contactor and fuses
- Compressor and fan motor amp draw
- Refrigerant pressures and temperatures
- Indoor coil, filter and airflow
- Condensate drain, pan and safety switch
You get the findings in plain English, with photos, before you approve anything.
The short answer
What Does AC Repair Involve?
AC repair is finding out why your system stopped cooling properly and fixing that specific fault. Most of the time it is one failed part. In Los Angeles the usual suspects are a capacitor, a contactor, a clogged condensate drain, a dirty coil or a refrigerant leak.
A good technician works through the system in order: power and controls first, then the outdoor unit (capacitor, contactor, fan, compressor), then refrigerant pressures, then the indoor side (blower, coil, filter, drain). That order matters. A system that “needs refrigerant” may actually have a frozen coil from a clogged filter, and adding refrigerant to it fixes nothing.
Most residential AC repairs in Los Angeles cost about $150 to $600, and published 2026 estimates put the typical job at roughly $370 to $570. See the full price list.
Symptoms
Common AC Problems and What Usually Causes Them
| What you notice | Most likely causes | Typical LA repair range (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Running but blowing warm air | Failed capacitor, dirty condenser coil, low refrigerant from a leak | $150 to $400 (capacitor); $400 to $1,500+ (leak and recharge) |
| Outdoor unit hums, fan does not spin | Failed capacitor or seized condenser fan motor | $150 to $400 (capacitor); $400 to $800 (fan motor) |
| Will not turn on at all | Thermostat, tripped breaker, blown fuse, failed contactor, float switch tripped by a clogged drain | $100 to $500 |
| Water leaking indoors | Clogged condensate drain line, cracked pan, failed condensate pump (common on mini-splits) | $100 to $300 |
| Ice on the copper line or coil | Dirty filter, weak blower, low refrigerant | $100 to $1,500+ depending on cause |
| Keeps tripping the breaker | Hard-starting compressor, shorted motor, damaged wiring (roof rats) | $150 to $800; compressor $1,500 to $3,500+ |
| Turns on and off every few minutes | Oversized system, thermostat placement, low refrigerant, overheating compressor | $150 to $1,500+ |
| Burning or electrical smell | Overheated motor, burnt wiring or contactor | Turn it off first; price depends on the part |
| Some rooms never cool | Leaky or crushed attic ducts, poor duct design, undersized system | Duct repair varies; see ductwork |
The single most common failure is the capacitor, the small part that helps the compressor and fan motors start. Heat wears it out, so it fails most often during the first big heat wave of the year.
Systems
AC Systems We Repair in Los Angeles
- Central air split systems. An outdoor condenser plus an indoor furnace or air handler, the standard setup in Valley ranch homes built from the 1950s to the 1970s.
- Heat pumps. They cool and heat, so they run more hours a year. See heat pump repair.
- Ductless mini-splits. Common in Craftsman and Spanish Revival homes, additions and ADUs. Drain pump and sensor faults are frequent. See mini-split repair.
- Rooftop and package units. Used on many apartment buildings, condos and commercial spaces in Koreatown, Hollywood and Downtown.
- Air handlers and attic units. Often in attics that pass 130°F in summer, which is hard on motors and drain lines.
- Older R-22 systems. Still repairable for some faults, but R-22 is no longer produced, so leaks are expensive to fix.
We work on Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, Ruud, Goodman, Bryant, American Standard, Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, LG and most other brands sold in Southern California.
Repair or replace
Is It Worth Repairing My AC?
If your system is under 10 years old and the repair is under about $500, repair it. For older systems, use the $5,000 rule: multiply the age of the system by the repair cost. Over $5,000 usually points to replacement. Under $5,000 usually means repair.
| System age | Repair | Age × cost | Usually |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 years | $450 fan motor | $3,600 | Repair |
| 15 years | $300 capacitor | $4,500 | Repair |
| 15 years | $1,200 coil | $18,000 | Get replacement pricing |
| 18 years | $2,500 compressor | $45,000 | Replace |
The 2026 refrigerant situation also matters. New home AC systems can no longer be made with R-410A as of January 1, 2025. Most brands moved to R-454B, and Daikin to R-32. Your R-410A system is still legal to repair and recharge, but the refrigerant keeps getting pricier, so a system that leaks every summer gets more expensive to keep alive.
If another company has already told you to replace, a second opinion costs far less than an unnecessary $10,000 system.
Do this first
5 Checks Before You Book an AC Repair
- Thermostat: set to “cool”, at least 3 degrees below room temperature. Replace the batteries if it uses them.
- Breaker: reset a tripped AC or furnace breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off.
- Outdoor disconnect: make sure the switch or pull-out block next to the outdoor unit is in.
- Air filter: if you cannot see light through it, replace it. A clogged filter can freeze the coil.
- Outdoor unit: clear leaves, debris and anything stacked against it. Rinse off ash or dust gently with a hose, never a pressure washer.
Still not cooling? Call (213) 659-0061 and describe what you checked. It helps the technician narrow it down before arriving.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does AC repair cost in Los Angeles?
Most AC repairs in Los Angeles cost about $150 to $600. Published 2026 estimates put the typical residential repair at roughly $370 to $570. Major repairs like a compressor ($1,500 to $3,500+) or evaporator coil ($1,200 to $3,000) cost more.
What is the most common AC problem?
A failed capacitor. It helps the compressor and fan motors start, and heat wears it out. It typically costs $150 to $400 to replace in Los Angeles and is usually fixed on the first visit.
How long does an AC repair take?
Most repairs take under two hours once the problem is found. Compressor and coil replacements can take most of a day, and brand-specific parts may need to be ordered.
Can an AC with R-410A still be repaired?
Yes. Only the manufacture of new R-410A systems ended on January 1, 2025. Existing systems can still be repaired and recharged legally, though the refrigerant costs more than it used to.
Should I repair or replace my AC?
Repair if the system is under 10 years old and the repair is under about $500. For older systems, multiply age by repair cost. Over $5,000 usually means replacement makes more sense.
Do you repair mini-splits and rooftop units?
Yes. Ductless mini-splits, heat pumps, rooftop package units and standard split systems, across all major brands.
Related
Related Services and Guides
Same-day AC repair
Most common parts are on the truck, so many repairs are finished today.
AC repair prices
Typical 2026 LA price ranges for each repair.
AC maintenance
A yearly tune-up catches weak capacitors before the heat wave does.
AC installation
When replacement makes sense: sizing, R-454B and permits.
Get your AC diagnosed properly.
Call for AC repair anywhere in the San Fernando Valley and Central LA. Written price before work starts, and no pressure to replace.
Last updated October 2026. Prices are published 2026 Los Angeles market ranges, not quotes. Rules and rebates change, so check the official source before you buy.