When the air conditioning quits in Denver, CO, the house tells you fast, and so does everyone in it. The most common failure we see is the humble run capacitor: a few dollars of electronics that starts the compressor and fan, weakens quietly for years, and finally lets go on a brutal afternoon, leaving the outdoor unit humming but the fan still. Right behind it come pitted contactors that no longer pass power cleanly, condenser fan motors with dry bearings, refrigerant leaks that slowly bleed the system's capacity away, and evaporator coils that ice over solid whenever airflow collapses behind a clogged filter.
For winter breakdowns, see Furnace Repair.
Warning Signs for AC Repair
The sooner you notice these red flags, the easier and cheaper the fix. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- Cooling bills climbing while the house stays sticky and warm
- Frost or ice forming on the copper lines or the indoor coil
- A hot electrical smell or a tripped breaker whenever the air conditioner kicks on
- A condenser fan that sits still while the outdoor unit hums
- Puddles near the air handler or water stains on the ceiling beneath it
- Hissing or bubbling sounds that suggest a refrigerant leak
- Warm or room-temperature air blowing when the thermostat calls for cooling
- Rapid on-off cycling that never brings the temperature down
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
Most HVAC failures start small, a weak capacitor, a squealing blower, a system that runs a little longer each week. Call (970) 602-4899 at the first sign of trouble.
