AC Repair FAQ — Richardson, TX

It depends entirely on what is wrong with the unit. A capacitor swap is a short job with a small part. A compressor replacement or a refrigerant leak repair takes more time and costs more. The age of the system matters too — older R-22 refrigerant systems cost more to service because that refrigerant is no longer made. Call for a free estimate.

Most repairs take one to three hours once we are on site. Capacitors, contactors, and thermostat replacements are usually done in under two hours. If we have to order a part for an older unit, it may take an extra day. We will tell you upfront if we expect any delay.

The most common causes are low refrigerant, a dirty evaporator coil, or a failing capacitor. In Richardson, clogged air filters are also a frequent reason — especially in homes near Greenville Avenue where construction dust gets pulled into the return. Do not let it run that way for long. A system working hard without cooling is wearing itself out.

Simple repairs like replacing a capacitor or a thermostat do not require a permit. A full system replacement does. The City of Richardson requires a mechanical permit for new equipment installs. Any contractor who skips this on a replacement job is cutting a corner that can cost you at resale or on an insurance claim.

Close blinds on south and west-facing windows to block afternoon sun. Move fans to push air through the house. If you have family members over 65 or under 5 inside, get them to an air-conditioned space. Temperatures in unshaded Richardson homes can climb past 90 degrees inside within a few hours of the AC going down in July.

A common rule is that if the repair costs more than half the price of a new unit and the system is over 12 years old, replacement usually makes more sense. Many homes in the Canyon Creek and Arapaho Road corridors have systems installed in the early 2000s that are reaching that point. We will give you an honest read after the diagnostic — we do not push replacements on systems that have good repairs left in them.