AC Repair FAQ — Spokane, WA

The cost depends entirely on what is wrong. Replacing a capacitor or contactor is a much smaller job than fixing a refrigerant leak or replacing a blower motor. Systems in older homes, especially those built in the 1970s in neighborhoods like South Hill or the North Side, sometimes have harder-to-source parts that take more time. Call for a free estimate.

If your system is more than 15 years old and a major part fails, like the compressor, replacement often makes more sense than repair. Spokane summers are hard on older equipment — three months of near-100-degree heat every year adds up. A technician can tell you what the unit is worth fixing after a full inspection.

A frozen coil is usually caused by one of three things: a dirty air filter blocking airflow, low refrigerant from a leak, or a failing blower motor that is not moving enough air across the coil. Turn the system off and let it thaw for a few hours before calling. Running it while frozen can damage the compressor.

Most repairs take two to four hours once a technician is on site. Simple fixes like a bad capacitor can be done in under an hour. If a part needs to be ordered, you may wait a day or two. We try to carry common parts for the brands most often installed in Spokane homes.

Close your blinds on the south and west sides of the house during the afternoon. The Spokane Valley can stay above 90 degrees past 8 pm in July, so do not count on evening air to cool things down quickly. Use fans to move air and keep elderly people and pets in the coolest room you have.

Most routine repairs — replacing a capacitor, cleaning coils, fixing a refrigerant leak — do not require a permit. Work that involves replacing major components or making changes to the electrical system may require one depending on Spokane city or county rules. A legitimate contractor will know what requires a permit and will pull one when needed.