AC repair
AC repair in Spokane, Washington
Spokane's hot spell is short, which makes a dead AC in July feel longer. Here is what usually fails on a central system tied to a furnace.
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How a Spokane summer treats an air conditioner
Most central systems here sit idle from September to June, then work hard for a few weeks. The 1991 to 2020 normals give July an average high of 84.4 °F at the airport, and about 21 days a year reach 90 °F or more.
That stop-start pattern means problems often show up on the first hot afternoon: a capacitor that dried out over winter, a contactor pitted by last year's cycles, or an outdoor coil matted with a season of debris.
Source: NOAA NCEI climate normals, Spokane International Airport.
Common faults
- Outdoor unit silent. A tripped breaker, a failed capacitor or contactor, or a thermostat wiring fault.
- Fan spins, air stays warm. Often a capacitor or compressor problem, or low refrigerant from a leak.
- Ice on the copper lines. Usually poor airflow from a clogged filter or a weak blower, sometimes low charge.
- Water near the furnace. A blocked condensate drain or pump on the indoor coil.
- Runs all day, house still warm. A dirty outdoor coil, undersized ducts or a system near the end of its life.
What to check first
These are safe for most homeowners. Leave panels and refrigerant lines alone.
- Thermostat on cool and set below the room temperature.
- Two breakers, not one: the furnace and the condenser outside are usually on separate circuits.
- A clean filter at the furnace.
- If you see ice, switch the system off, run the fan only, and let it thaw before anyone tests it.
- Nothing blocking the outdoor unit: cut back shrubs and clear leaves or pine needles.
If the outdoor unit hums but the fan does not turn, switch it off. Running a stalled motor can damage it.
Why the furnace matters for cooling
In a furnace home, the AC coil sits on the furnace and the furnace blower moves the cool air. A failed blower motor, a control board fault or a clogged filter will stop cooling as surely as a dead compressor. That is why the contractor may start at the furnace. If the AC is old, read central AC replacement before paying for a major repair.
Common questions
Is it normal for water to drip outside near the house?
A little water from the condensate line outdoors is normal on humid days. Water pooling around the furnace inside is not.
Can low refrigerant just be topped up?
Refrigerant does not get used up. If it is low, there is a leak, and the contractor should talk about finding it.
Where these facts come from
Cold house in Spokane? Talk to a contractor now.
Dial the number and explain what the heat or cooling is doing. The person who picks up runs an independent HVAC business working in Spokane and the towns nearby.