Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Common causes include a dirty filter, a frozen coil, low refrigerant, a failed capacitor, or a blocked outdoor unit. Check the filter and thermostat first. If air is still warm, request an estimate.
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Is your home getting warm and sticky because the AC quit? You are in the right place. This page explains what to check, what a repair visit looks like, and what choices you have before any work starts. In humid, stormy weather, a cooling system works hard, and small problems can grow fast. Knowing the next step helps you stay calm.
Scotlandmiddle Heating & Air is a referral service. We do not do the repair ourselves. We route your request to an independent local provider in our network, and that provider does the work, sets the price, and gives you a written quote. You can compare, ask questions, and say no. Request an estimate to begin, and use Request a callback to check provider availability if you prefer to talk.
Take a breath. Most cooling problems have a clear cause, and you have more options than you might think. Try the quick checks below first. If they do not help, you can request an estimate from an independent provider in our network.
A few minutes of looking can save you a service visit. Or at least give the provider better clues.
If you flip a breaker and it trips again, stop. Do not keep resetting it.
In a humid climate, a dead AC is more than annoying. Young children, older adults, and people with health conditions can struggle quickly in a hot house. If anyone feels dizzy, sick, or very weak, move to a cooler place and get medical help if needed.
Then ask about urgent visits. Many providers can respond quickly, but availability varies. Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request and note that the situation is urgent.
Some signs mean the AC should stay off until a pro looks at it. Turn it off at the thermostat, and at the breaker if you can do so safely, when you notice:
Running a damaged system can turn a small fix into a big bill.
Not every problem is a sudden stop. Many start small. Watch for these:
One sign alone may be minor. Two or three together deserve a closer look.
In warm, wet regions the system runs for months, often with storms rolling through almost daily. That adds wear. Moisture also feeds algae and slime in the drain line, and a clogged line can leave water in the home or shut the system down.
Power surges from storms can damage electrical parts such as capacitors and control boards. During hurricane season, wind can also throw debris against the outdoor unit. After a big storm, do not run a unit that sat in standing water. Have a provider inspect it first.
Here is the usual flow. First, the provider asks what you have noticed and when it started. Next, they check the thermostat, filter, airflow, outdoor unit, and electrical connections. Many also check refrigerant pressure and the drain line.
Then comes the part that matters most to you: they explain what they found and give a written quote. You decide whether to go ahead. A good visit leaves you knowing what is wrong, what it costs, and what your choices are.
Here are the usual suspects in a home cooling system:
This is the big question, so let us walk through it. Know your options before you decide.
Repair often makes sense when the system is under about ten years old and the problem is a single part. Replacement may be worth discussing when the unit is 12 to 15 years old or more, breaks down again and again, uses an older type of refrigerant, or needs a repair that costs close to half the price of a new system.
Ask the provider to quote both paths when it is a close call. Replacement has its own page here, and a new heating and cooling setup is a different job. If you searched for furnace replacement near me, that topic is covered separately.
Sometimes. Some policies may cover sudden damage, such as a power surge or storm impact. Others do not. Check your policy and ask your insurer before work begins. Providers can often help document damage for a claim, with photos and written notes.
A few good questions make the whole visit smoother:
It is fair to ask. Scotlandmiddle Heating & Air is a referral service. We connect homeowners with independent local HVAC service providers. We do not repair or install anything ourselves.
The provider sets the price, the schedule, and the terms of the job. You are never required to accept an estimate. Think of Scotlandmiddle Heating & Air as the introduction, and the provider as the one who shows up at your door.
You do not have to figure this out alone. Send a request, share what you are seeing, and compare what a local provider tells you. Then pick the option that fits your home and budget.
The provider checks airflow, electrical parts, refrigerant, and drainage to find out why your system is not cooling.
Many repairs involve capacitors, fan motors, drain lines, or thermostats, depending on the problem.
Providers explain parts and labor in a written quote before work starts, so you can decide.
If your system is older or costly to fix, providers can lay out both options clearly.
Prices depend on your system, its age, the parts needed, and how easy the unit is to reach. These are typical U.S. ranges only. Always ask the provider for a written quote before approving any work.
| Repair item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic visit | $75 – $200 | Some providers apply this fee to the repair; ask first. |
| Capacitor or contactor | $150 – $450 | A common storm and heat wear item. |
| Drain line clearing | $100 – $350 | Often needed in humid climates. |
| Fan motor replacement | $350 – $950 | Indoor and outdoor motors vary. |
| Refrigerant leak repair | $250 – $1,600 | Depends on leak location and refrigerant type. |
| Compressor replacement | $1,500 – $3,500 | Can approach the cost of a new system. |
Tell us what your AC is doing, where you live, and how urgent it feels. It only takes a minute.
We route your request to an independent local provider who follows up about your situation.
Review the written quote and ask about repair versus replacement.
If it feels right, the provider schedules and completes the job.
We are a referral service. Independent providers do the work, set the prices, and handle the schedule, so you know who is responsible.
Requests go to providers who serve your area and know local homes and weather.
An estimate is not a commitment. You can compare options and decide when ready.
We explain the process in simple words so you know what to expect.
Tell us what your AC or furnace is doing. Send an estimate request, and a local provider in our network may follow up.
No obligationCommon causes include a dirty filter, a frozen coil, low refrigerant, a failed capacitor, or a blocked outdoor unit. Check the filter and thermostat first. If air is still warm, request an estimate.
Many repairs fall between about $100 and $1,600, while major parts like a compressor cost more. Costs vary by job, so ask the provider for a written quote first.
It can be, if the problem is one small part. If the unit is 12 to 15 years old or breaks often, ask for both repair and replacement quotes.
Tell us what your AC or furnace is doing. Send an estimate request, and a local provider in our network may follow up.
No obligation