Air Conditioner Repair in Newark & Licking County
Warm air from the vents, ice on the lines, an outdoor unit that hums but will not start. We find the real cause, quote it up front and fix it right.
The repairs we make most often
Central Ohio summers are humid more than they are brutally hot, which puts a steady load on air conditioners from June into September. Most AC failures we see come from a handful of causes:
- Failed capacitor. The outdoor unit hums but the fan or compressor will not start. Heat is hard on capacitors, and it is the most common AC repair we make.
- Contactor problems. Pitted or stuck contacts in the outdoor unit keep it from starting, or keep it running when it should stop.
- Low refrigerant from a leak. Refrigerant does not get used up. If it is low, it is leaking, and topping it off without finding the leak just buys a few weeks.
- Frozen evaporator coil. Usually a dirty filter, a failing blower or low charge. You will see ice on the copper line at the outdoor unit.
- Clogged condensate drain. Water backs up and trips a safety switch, or overflows into the basement.
- Dirty outdoor coil. Cottonwood fluff, grass clippings and dryer lint choke the coil and push pressures up.
Every June, when the cottonwoods along the Licking River and the creeks shed, we pull outdoor units in Newark and Heath that look like they are wearing a sweater. The unit runs, the house never cools, and the power bill climbs. A proper coil cleaning from the inside out often brings the system right back.
What we check on every AC call
We start at the thermostat and work outward: airflow and the filter at the indoor unit, the evaporator coil and drain, then the outdoor unit's electrical parts, fan and coil. We measure refrigerant pressures and temperatures to see whether the system is actually charged correctly instead of guessing. Before any repair you get a clear price, and if the system is old enough that the repair is a bad investment, we will say so.
If you want to try a few safe checks yourself first, our AC not cooling guide walks through them.
AC out during a heat wave?
We prioritize homes with seniors, infants and medical needs. Call and we will get you on the schedule.
Older systems and refrigerant
Air conditioners installed before about 2010 often use R-22 refrigerant, which has not been produced in the U.S. since 2020. What remains is expensive, so a leak on an R-22 system usually means it is time to replace rather than recharge. Systems from the 2010s mostly use R-410A, which is now being phased down in favor of newer refrigerants like R-454B in new equipment. R-410A systems are still very serviceable, but refrigerant repairs on them have been getting more expensive.
In Granville and the older neighborhoods of Newark, we still find twenty-five-year-old R-22 condensers limping along. When one of those develops a leak in July, the honest math is almost always a new system. We would rather tell you that on the first visit than sell you a recharge that leaks out by August.
Repair or replace your AC?
If your air conditioner is under ten years old, repair is almost always the right call. Past twelve years, and especially with a compressor failure or a refrigerant leak, it is worth pricing a replacement. Our repair or replace guide has the full breakdown, and AC replacement explains how we size and install new systems. If you have a gas furnace and the AC fails, ask us about a heat pump instead. It cools just like an AC and can take over part of your heating too.
AC repair questions
How much does AC repair cost in Licking County?
Most common AC repairs run about $150 to $600. Capacitors and contactors are at the low end; refrigerant leak repair and fan motors cost more; compressor replacement runs well over $1,000 and usually means replacement is the better value. See the cost guide.
Why is there ice on my AC line?
Ice on the refrigerant line or indoor coil usually means restricted airflow from a dirty filter or failing blower, or low refrigerant from a leak. Turn the system to off with the fan on to thaw it, replace the filter, and call us if it freezes again.
My AC runs but the house will not cool below 76. Is that broken?
Not necessarily. On humid 90-degree days, a correctly sized system may run nearly nonstop. If it cannot hold the high 70s on a normal summer day, something is limiting it: a dirty coil, low charge or an airflow problem.
Should I cover my outdoor AC unit in winter?
You can cover just the top to keep ice and debris from falling in, but do not wrap the whole unit. Full covers trap moisture and give mice a winter home. If it is a heat pump, never cover it, because it runs all winter.
Do you work on all brands?
Yes. We service Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, Goodman, York, Bryant, American Standard and every other brand common in Licking County.
More cooling help
AC Not Cooling?
Safe checks to try first and what the warning signs mean.
Learn more →AC Replacement
New central air sized with a real load calculation, not a guess.
Learn more →Heat Pumps
Cold-climate and dual-fuel heat pumps, repaired and installed for Ohio winters.
Learn more →Tune-Ups & Maintenance
Fall furnace and spring AC tune-ups that catch small problems early.
Learn more →Get your AC fixed
Calling is the fastest way to get on the schedule. Tell us what the system is doing and we will tell you what it probably is, what it probably costs and when we can be there.
(740) 527-0222Rather not call right now? Leave your name and number and we will call you back.
Request a call back
We usually call back within the hour during business hours.