AC Repair FAQ — Hartford, CT

The cost depends on what broke. Replacing a capacitor or contactor is one of the simpler jobs. Fixing a refrigerant leak or replacing a blower motor takes more time and parts. Older systems — especially units built before 2010 that still use R-22 refrigerant — tend to cost more to repair because that refrigerant is harder to get. Call for a free estimate.

Most repairs take between one and three hours once a tech is on site. Parts availability is the main variable. If a part needs to be ordered, that can add a day. In the summer heat, we try to get common parts like capacitors and contactors on the truck so we're not making two trips.

The most common reasons are low refrigerant from a leak, a dirty evaporator coil blocking airflow, or a failing compressor that can't build pressure. In older Hartford homes with ductwork from the 1960s, leaky ducts can also bleed cooled air into the attic or basement before it ever reaches the living space. A proper diagnosis will tell you which one it is.

Minor repairs like swapping a capacitor or charging refrigerant generally don't require a permit. Full system replacements or new installations in Hartford do require a mechanical permit through the City of Hartford Building Department. Ask your contractor directly, and be cautious of anyone who brushes the question off.

Call (860) 200-8934 first. While you wait, close blinds on any windows that face south or west — afternoon sun through glass heats a room fast. Move to the lowest floor of the house since heat rises. Hartford's heat advisories can push indoor temps well above 90 degrees in upper floors of older homes, so don't wait to call.

It depends on what's broken. A 15-year-old unit with a bad capacitor is usually worth fixing. A 15-year-old unit with a dead compressor is borderline — the compressor repair can cost nearly as much as a new system. We'll tell you the honest answer after we look at it, not before.