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When an air conditioner blows warm air, leaks water, freezes up, or will not start, W.F. Smith finds the cause and fixes it. We repair central air conditioners and ductless systems for homes across Philadelphia and nearby Bucks and Montgomery County communities.
A technician diagnoses the cause, explains what it means, and provides the repair price before work begins.
These are the problems Philadelphia homeowners call us about most. The technician confirms the real cause during the visit.
The capacitor gives the compressor and outdoor fan motor the boost they need to start. When it weakens, the outdoor unit hums but will not start, or warm air comes from the vents. We test it against its rated value and replace it if it has failed.
The contactor is the switch that turns the outdoor unit on and off when the thermostat calls for cooling. A worn or stuck contactor can keep the outdoor unit from starting or keep it running nonstop. We check its contacts and control voltage and replace it when needed.
Your air conditioner pulls moisture out of the air and sends it down a drain line. When that line clogs, water backs up into the pan, and a float switch may shut the whole system off to prevent a leak. We clear the line and check the pan, pump, and switch.
The outdoor fan pushes heat away from the condenser, and the indoor blower moves cool air through the house. A failing motor means weak airflow from the vents or an outdoor unit that overheats. We test the motor and its capacitor and replace whichever part has failed.
When the system ignores the thermostat, short cycles, or runs at odd times, the cause may be wiring, settings, or a control board. We trace the signal from the thermostat to the equipment to find where it stops.
These parts wear out with use and summer heat. Replacing them is often a same-visit repair when the part is on the truck.
Your air conditioner relies on two primary coils to move heat through the cooling cycle. The evaporator coil, located with the indoor equipment, absorbs heat from the air moving through the system. The condenser coil, located in the outdoor unit, releases that heat outside. When either coil cannot transfer heat properly, cooling performance can suffer.
A coil problem does not always mean the coil itself has failed. Dirt buildup, restricted airflow, a clogged filter, refrigerant loss, drainage problems, or other operating issues can create symptoms that look like a damaged coil. That is why ice on the coil, warm air from the vents, or water around the indoor unit should be treated as symptoms that need diagnosis rather than proof that a coil needs to be replaced.
During an AC repair visit, the technician can evaluate airflow, coil condition, refrigerant-system performance, drainage, and the surrounding components before recommending a repair. Depending on the cause, the solution may involve correcting airflow, cleaning a dirty coil, repairing another component, addressing a refrigerant leak when practical, or replacing a failed coil.
When a coil has a significant refrigerant leak or other major damage, the age and overall condition of the air conditioner also matter. On an older system, a major coil repair can be the point where it makes sense to compare the repair with AC replacement rather than automatically investing in one large component. W.F. Smith can explain both paths after the system has been properly diagnosed. A replacement coil also has to match the outdoor unit and its refrigerant, which can limit the options on older equipment.
The compressor is one of the major components in the outdoor unit. It helps circulate refrigerant through the air-conditioning system so heat can be moved out of the home. Because it plays such an important role, a true compressor failure can be a significant repair. However, several other AC problems can create similar symptoms, so the compressor should be tested before anyone assumes it has failed.
Those symptoms can also come from failed capacitors or contactors, fan-motor problems, electrical supply issues, controls, refrigerant conditions, or other components. Repeatedly resetting a breaker or continuing to run equipment that is struggling to start can create additional problems, so the safer next step is to turn the system off and schedule a diagnosis.
A technician can evaluate the electrical supply, start and run components, controls, outdoor fan operation, refrigerant-system conditions, and compressor performance before determining what actually needs to be repaired. If the compressor itself is confirmed to have failed, W.F. Smith can explain the repair option and what else should be considered before making that investment.
For a newer system in otherwise good condition, a compressor-related repair may still make sense. For older equipment, the decision may also depend on the system’s condition, refrigerant type, repair history, equipment compatibility, and the cost of the repair compared with a properly planned replacement. A compressor diagnosis should lead to a repair-versus-replacement conversation when appropriate, not an automatic replacement recommendation. Replacement estimates are free, so you can see both prices before deciding.
Refrigerant, often called Freon, moves through a closed circuit in an air-conditioning system. Under normal operation, it is not a fuel that gets used up and periodically needs to be refilled. If the system is low on refrigerant, the important question is why the charge is low. A leak may be present in a coil, refrigerant line, connection, or another part of the sealed system.
These symptoms are not enough to confirm a refrigerant leak by themselves. Airflow restrictions, dirty coils, controls, and other mechanical or electrical problems can produce similar results. The technician should first evaluate the system and confirm whether refrigerant charge is actually part of the problem.
If a leak is found, the appropriate repair depends on where it is located, how accessible the damaged area is, which component is involved, and the overall condition of the equipment. When a repair is practical, the leak or failed component should be addressed and the system can then be charged correctly as part of the repair. Simply adding refrigerant without addressing the reason it was lost may provide only temporary improvement.
Refrigerant type and equipment age can also affect the decision. On an older system with a major coil leak or another expensive refrigerant-side failure, it may be more useful to compare the repair with AC replacement. W.F. Smith can diagnose the system first, explain what was found, and help you understand the practical options before refrigerant or a major component is replaced.
Many systems installed before 2010 use R-22, which has not been produced in the U.S. since 2020, so recharging them gets harder and more costly each year. R-410A systems can still be serviced and recharged. Under EPA rules, new central air conditioners built since January 1, 2025 use newer, lower-impact refrigerants.
A few safe checks can help rule out simple problems. Stop at any step that would require opening equipment or working around live electrical components.
Repair often makes sense when the failed part is manageable and the rest of the system is in good condition. Replacement deserves a closer look when a major component has failed, repairs are becoming frequent, comfort has never been right, or the system is nearing the point where continued investment no longer makes sense.
W.F. Smith can explain the repair option and provide a replacement estimate when you want to compare both paths.
Replacement estimates are free, so getting both numbers costs you nothing.
The office answers Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After hours, an answering service reaches the technician on call. Evening and Saturday visits cost more, and Sundays and holidays cost more again. The technician tells you the rate before coming out.
Call after hours for a burning smell, a breaker that keeps tripping, water damaging a ceiling or floor, or no cooling during dangerous heat with infants, older adults, or anyone with a health condition at home. Other problems can usually wait for a regular weekday visit with the system switched off, which also avoids the after-hours rate.
Working from the same State Road shop in Northeast Philadelphia.
With the repair price and a free replacement estimate side by side.
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