Air Conditioner Repair in Chatham & Chatham-Kent, ON
When your air conditioner quits in the middle of a Chatham-Kent heat wave, you want it fixed today, not next week. Postma has been repairing air conditioners in Chatham and the surrounding towns since 1989. Our licensed technicians repair central air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless systems from every major brand, and carry common parts like capacitors, contactors and fan motors on the truck, so most AC repairs are finished on the first visit.
AC more than 12 to 15 years old? See our air conditioner installation and replacement service.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair
The sooner you book a repair, the less likely a small problem turns into a failed compressor. Call us if you notice any of these:
- The house won’t reach the temperature on the thermostat.
- The vents are blowing warm or barely cool air.
- Water is pooling around the indoor unit or the drain line.
- There’s ice on the refrigerant lines or the outdoor unit.
- Some rooms are hot while others are fine.
- Loud buzzing, grinding or clicking from the outdoor unit.
- The system turns on and off every few minutes (short cycling).
- Your hydro bill jumped and your usage didn’t.
Common AC Problems: Causes and Fixes
Most AC breakdowns we see in Chatham-Kent come down to a short list of problems. Here’s what usually causes each symptom and how we fix it:
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit won’t start, or hums and won’t run | Failed capacitor or contactor | Replace the part, usually same visit |
| Blowing warm air | Failed capacitor, low refrigerant or a stopped outdoor fan | Diagnose, then replace the part or find and repair the leak |
| Ice on the lines or indoor coil | Low airflow from a dirty filter or coil, or low refrigerant | Thaw, clean the coil, fix airflow, repair any leak |
| Water around the furnace | Clogged condensate drain or failed condensate pump | Clear the drain or replace the pump |
| Short cycling | Dirty coil, low refrigerant, oversized system or thermostat problem | Clean, test the charge and controls, adjust or repair |
| Loud buzzing or grinding | Failing fan motor, contactor or compressor | Replace the failing component before it takes out the compressor |
| High hydro bills | Dirty coils, low refrigerant or an aging system | Tune-up and leak check, or a repair-vs-replace comparison |
For leaks and coil problems, see our AC refrigerant leak repair and evaporator coil services.
What Happens on an AC Repair Call
- You call us. We give you the earliest time available, often the same day.
- We diagnose the problem. Our technician tests the electrical parts, refrigerant charge, airflow and controls, and shows you what failed.
- You get a flat-rate price. If there’s more than one way to fix it, we’ll explain the options. Nothing is done until you approve it.
- We make the repair. Common parts are on the truck, so most repairs are finished on the first visit.
- We test the system. We check temperatures at the vents and make sure everything is running properly before we leave.
How Much Does AC Repair Cost in Chatham?
Most AC repairs we do in Chatham-Kent fall between $250 and $2,000. A capacitor or contactor is at the low end. A refrigerant leak repair, a fan motor or a compressor on an older unit is at the high end. What makes the biggest difference:
- The part and whether it’s still under warranty.
- The refrigerant. Older R-22 systems and R-410A systems are getting more expensive to recharge. See what the R-410A phase-out means for you.
- How many things are wrong. A dirty coil can freeze up and overwork the compressor.
We use upfront, flat-rate pricing: you see the price before any work starts, you approve it, and that’s the price you pay. Nothing is replaced without your OK. If a repair doesn’t make financial sense, we’ll tell you. Ask about our financing options.
Repair or Replace?
A common rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than half the price of a new air conditioner, or your unit is over 12 to 15 years old, replacing usually costs less over the next few years. Repeated breakdowns, an R-22 system that needs refrigerant, or rising hydro bills are other signs it’s time. We’ll give you both prices so you can decide.
| Usually repair | Usually replace | |
|---|---|---|
| Age of the AC | Under 10 years | 12 to 15 years or older |
| Repair cost | Less than half the cost of a new unit | More than half the cost of a new unit |
| Refrigerant | R-410A or newer, no recurring leaks | R-22, or a leak that keeps coming back |
| Repair history | First major repair | Repairs every summer |
| Comfort | Cooled the house fine until it broke | Never kept up on hot days |
Read top signs you need AC replacement, or see our AC installation service.
What To Do When Your AC Breaks Down
A few quick checks can save a service call, or keep a small problem from getting worse:
- Turn the system off at the thermostat to prevent further damage.
- Check the breaker and replace a dirty filter.
- Make sure the outdoor unit isn’t blocked by grass, leaves or debris.
- If you see ice on the lines or coil, leave the system off so it can thaw.
- Run fans and a dehumidifier to stay comfortable.
- Call us at 519-354-9491.
Still not cooling? Our guide Why is my AC not cooling? covers the most common causes.
R-22, R-410A and the New Refrigerants
The refrigerant in your AC affects what a repair costs. R-22 systems, typically installed before about 2010, use a refrigerant that is no longer produced, so recharging one is expensive and usually not worth it. R-410A systems can still be repaired and recharged, but supply is shrinking and prices are rising as the industry moves to lower-impact refrigerants like R-454B in new equipment. If your system has a leak, we find and fix it instead of just topping it up, so you’re not paying for refrigerant every summer. More detail in R-410A phase-out in Ontario.
Heat Pump, Ductless and Commercial AC Repair
We repair more than central air conditioners. Our technicians also service heat pumps, which cool in summer and heat in winter, and ductless mini-splits. For businesses, we repair rooftop units and split systems and maintain equipment at more than 300 commercial sites across the region.
How Long Does an Air Conditioner Last?
Most central air conditioners last 12 to 15 years. A unit that gets a yearly tune-up and a clean outdoor coil usually lasts longer than one that’s ignored until it breaks. Once yours reaches that age, it’s worth comparing the cost of the next big repair against a new, more efficient unit.
What Happens During an AC Tune-Up
Regular maintenance prevents most of the breakdowns above. On a tune-up, our technicians:
- Check the refrigerant charge and look for leaks.
- Clean the outdoor condenser coil and inspect the evaporator coil.
- Test the capacitors, contactors and electrical connections.
- Clear the condensate drain and check the pump.
- Check airflow, the blower and the filter.
- Confirm the thermostat and controls are working correctly.
A spring tune-up catches most problems before the first hot week. See our spring AC maintenance guide or our maintenance plans.
AC Repair Across Chatham-Kent
Our technicians are based on Charing Cross Road in Chatham and cover all of Chatham-Kent, including Wallaceburg, Blenheim, Tilbury, Ridgetown, Dresden, Thamesville and Wheatley. We repair every major brand, and we’re a Lennox Premier Dealer.
AC Repair FAQs
How much does AC repair cost in Chatham?
Most AC repairs we do in Chatham-Kent fall between $250 and $2,000. A capacitor or contactor is at the low end, and a refrigerant leak, fan motor or compressor is at the high end. You get a flat-rate price before any work starts, and that’s the price you pay.
Can you come out the same day?
In most cases, yes. Call 519-354-9491 and we’ll give you the earliest time available.
How long does an AC repair take?
Most repairs take one to two hours once we’re on site. Leak repairs and compressor replacements can take longer, and some parts need to be ordered.
Should I repair or replace my air conditioner?
If the repair is more than half the cost of a new unit, or the AC is over 12 to 15 years old, replacing usually makes more sense. We’ll give you both prices so you can compare.
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
The most common causes are a dirty filter, a failed capacitor, a frozen coil or low refrigerant from a leak. Turn the system off and call us so a small problem doesn’t damage the compressor.
Is it worth recharging my AC with refrigerant?
Only if the leak is found and fixed first. Refrigerant doesn’t get used up, so a system that’s low has a leak. Recharging without fixing it means paying again next summer. On an older R-22 system, replacing the unit is usually the better value.
Do you repair all AC brands?
Yes. We repair central air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless systems from every major brand, not only Lennox.
Is my AC repair covered by warranty?
Many air conditioners have a manufacturer’s parts warranty, especially if the unit was registered after installation. We’ll check your model and serial number before quoting.
When your air conditioner needs repair, call Postma at 519-354-9491. Licensed technicians, flat-rate pricing and service across Chatham-Kent since 1989.