How does an AC repair visit work?
- Call or book online. Tell us what the system is doing (no cooling, warm air, water, noise, breaker trips). Same-day AC service is available, and 24/7 emergency repairs for a breakdown that cannot wait.
- Diagnosis. The technician checks the thermostat, filter, electrical parts, refrigerant pressures, coils and drain, and finds the actual failed part instead of guessing.
- Up-front quote. You get the price for the repair before any work starts. If the system is old enough that replacement is the better buy, we say so and price both.
- Repair and test. Common failures include capacitors, contactors, fan motors, drain clogs and thermostat faults; if a part has to be ordered, you get the timing with the quote. Then the system is run and the air at the vents checked.

Why is my AC not cooling? The most common causes
| What you notice | Likely cause | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit silent, indoor fan runs | Failed capacitor or contactor, tripped breaker | Check the breaker once; if it trips again, call |
| Air from the vents is warm | Low refrigerant (a leak), dirty outdoor coil, failed compressor | Replace the filter, rinse debris off the outdoor unit |
| Ice on the indoor coil or refrigerant lines | Dirty filter, weak blower, low refrigerant | Turn cooling off, run the fan only to thaw |
| Water around the furnace or air handler | Clogged condensate drain, frozen coil melting | Turn the system off to protect the ceiling and floor |
| Short cycling, on and off every few minutes | Oversized unit, thermostat location, electrical fault | Note how often it cycles and tell the technician |
Refrigerant does not get used up: if a system is low, it has a leak, and adding refrigerant without finding the leak means it will leak out again.
What does AC repair cost in Los Angeles?
The price depends on the part and the labor, so we quote after the diagnosis and before any work. What moves the number: the part (a capacitor is a small repair, a compressor or coil is a major one), refrigerant type and how much is needed after a leak repair, access (attic, roof or a tight side yard), and whether the call is an after-hours emergency. When a major part fails on an older system, compare the repair with a new, properly sized AC installation.

Repair or replace your air conditioner?
Repair is usually right for a younger system with one failed part. Replacement starts to make sense when the compressor or coil fails on an older unit, when the system still uses R-22 refrigerant (no longer produced in the US), or when you have paid for several repairs in a few seasons. We price both so you can compare; heat pumps and ductless systems are options too (see heat pump installation).
Emergency and same-day AC repair
A dead air conditioner in a Valley heat wave is a health risk for babies, older people and pets. We keep 24/7 emergency service for those calls and same-day AC service when the schedule allows. Until the technician arrives: keep blinds closed on the sunny side, run fans, and do not keep resetting a breaker that trips. For heating breakdowns see heating repair; for a whole-system check see HVAC repair and maintenance.

What customers say about our AC repairs
"Our AC condenser broke and of all the people I talked to, Ernie was the most thorough in communication, helpful in his suggestions, and competitive in pricing."
"Highly recommend Sam and his team at Elvira Ocean Air. Able to help troubleshoot and repair our A/C unit in a quick and timely manner!"
"Wow, great customer service! My central AC stopped working in the middle of one of the hottest days of summer."
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Yelp and 5.0 on Google.
AC repair questions
Do you repair all brands of air conditioners?
Yes. We repair all makes and models of air conditioning systems, including central split systems, packaged units, heat pumps and ductless mini splits.
What if a part has to be ordered?
A major part such as a compressor or a coil may need to be ordered; you get the timing with the quote.
Should I add refrigerant myself?
No. Refrigerant handling requires EPA certification (EPA Section 608), and a low system has a leak that needs to be found and repaired first.
Do you offer AC maintenance?
Yes. A yearly tune-up before summer cleans the coils, checks the electrical parts and refrigerant charge, and clears the drain, which prevents many of the breakdowns on this page.
