Tampa AC repair — same-day service, heatwave priority
Central AC repair for refrigerant leaks, capacitor failures, compressor issues, condenser fan problems and refrigerant recharge. R-410A and older R-22 systems both serviced. refrigerant handling licensed.
1. CAPACITOR FAILURE: the run capacitor for the compressor or fan motor fails. Symptom: outdoor unit hums but fan and/or compressor don't run. Replacement: $180-$280. Most common warm-weather failure.
2. REFRIGERANT LEAK: system runs but doesn't cool well, ice forms on the indoor coil. Diagnostic uses electronic leak detector and UV dye. Leak repair: $250-$550 typical. Refrigerant recharge: $300-$450 depending on charge amount.
3. CONDENSER FAN MOTOR: the outdoor fan motor fails. Compressor runs, no cool air. Motor replacement: $350-$550.
4. COMPRESSOR FAILURE: the big one. Compressor doesn't start, runs but doesn't cool, or trips breaker. Replacement labour + parts: $1,200-$2,500. On systems 10+ years old, this usually means full system replacement makes more economic sense.
Straight pricing before repair proceeds. Diagnostic credited on repair. Related in Tampa: AC installation and AC repair.
Diagnostic
The service call
How your Tampa HVAC install or service call works — four steps, no surprises
Same-day response
Summer no-cool calls prioritized. Diagnostic fee and arrival window disclosed on the phone. Target arrival within 4-6 hours in Tampa.
On-site diagnostic
Refrigerant pressures checked. Capacitors tested with meter. Electrical draw on compressor and fan motor. Refrigerant leak search if pressures indicate.
Written quote
Straight pricing for failed part + labour + parts warranty. Diagnostic fee credited if you proceed.
Repair + verify
Part replaced. System commissioned with refrigerant charge verified against manufacturer spec. Temperature drop measured across coil (should be 15-22°F).
R-22 systems
If your AC uses R-22 refrigerant, the math changes
R-22 (Freon) was phased out for new production in 2020. Remaining supply is expensive and getting scarce. For AC systems 12+ years old, they typically use R-22.
For R-22 systems needing a recharge: refrigerant cost is now $65-$100 per pound (vs $25-$40 for R-410A). A typical 3-ton system recharge uses 5-8 pounds. That's $300-$800 in refrigerant alone. Every year the price climbs.
For R-22 systems with a repairable leak: fix the leak, then recharge. Buys 2-3 more years of use.
For R-22 systems with major failures (compressor, coil): usually replace the whole system with a modern R-410A unit. Rebate stack and efficiency gain typically pay back within 5-7 years. Related in Tampa: AC installation, AC repair, and duct cleaning.
Tampa HVAC repair air conditioner repair questions answered
Summer emergencies target 4-6 hour arrival in Tampa. During heatwaves with high call volume, stretches to 8-10 hours. We prioritize customers with medical AC needs or vulnerable household members. Live response, straight arrival windows on the phone.
Business hours: $99-$149. After-hours emergency: $199. Diagnostic fee credited on repair if you proceed. If we can't fix it (rare — usually only when a discontinued part isn't available), diagnostic still charged for the trip.
Capacitor swap: 30-45 minutes. Fan motor replacement: 1-2 hours. Refrigerant leak repair + recharge: 2-3 hours. Compressor replacement: full day (usually recommended to replace the whole system instead at this price point).
If the leak is small and repairable, fix it and recharge — buys 2-3 years. If the leak is major, coil is damaged, or compressor is failing, replace the whole system. R-22 refrigerant cost keeps rising and R-410A systems are more efficient. Rebate math often favors replacement on 12+ year systems.
Yes — refrigerant handling license is standard on our crew. Old refrigerant recovered per Environment Canada rules. Disposal fee included in the quote if applicable.
AC quit on a 32°C day in July. Called at 8am, tech was here by 1pm. Diagnosed a bad run capacitor, replaced from truck, cold air back on by 2. $180 all in.
M. Alharbi
Emergency capacitor swap
★★★★★
Old AC with R-22 was leaking. They gave us the honest math — $700 to fix and recharge, or $4,800 for a new R-410A system with rebates. We went new system, gas + electric bills both dropped.
P. Aguilar
R-22 leak decision
★★★★★
Central AC was low on refrigerant but no obvious leak. They ran a proper leak search using nitrogen + electronic detector, found a tiny leak at a Schrader valve, replaced the valve for $150. Full recharge and system runs perfectly.
N. Thibodeau
Refrigerant recharge
★★★★★
Outdoor unit fan seized. New motor + install in 90 minutes. Straight pricing, warranty paperwork done same day, one-year labour guarantee written on the invoice.
K. Vasquez
Fan motor replacement
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