AC Repair in Seattle-Tacoma
Central air, heat pump and ductless cooling repair with upfront pricing, from NATE-certified technicians. Phones answered 24/7.
Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • NATE-certified technicians • Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer
Air conditioning repair for Seattle-Tacoma homes
Home Comfort Alliance repairs central air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits for homeowners across the Seattle-Tacoma area and the wider Puget Sound region. A NATE-certified technician finds the cause, gives you an upfront price before any work begins, and fixes the system or tells you plainly if replacement makes more sense. We service all major brands, and our phones are answered 24/7.
Many Puget Sound homes cool with a heat pump rather than a cooling-only air conditioner. We repair both. If the same system also heats your home and has trouble in both modes, see heat pump repair.
Ice on the copper lines or indoor unit? Turn the thermostat to OFF and set the fan to ON so the coil thaws, and check the filter. Running a frozen AC can damage the compressor. If it freezes again after thawing, call us.
Signs your AC needs repair
Call for AC repair when the system blows warm air, can't keep up on hot days, freezes up, leaks water, or makes new noises. The most common warning signs are:
- Warm or barely cool air from the vents with the thermostat on COOL.
- Weak airflow, or some rooms that never cool down.
- Ice on the refrigerant lines, the outdoor unit or the indoor coil.
- Water pooling around the furnace, air handler or a ductless head.
- The outdoor unit hums but its fan doesn't spin.
- The AC turns on and off every few minutes (short cycling), or runs nonstop.
- Buzzing, banging, grinding or squealing, or a breaker that trips when the AC starts.
- Higher summer electric bills with no change in use.
More detail: AC not cooling during a heat wave, why your air conditioner is making loud noises and fixing uneven cooling.
What to check before you call
A few checks take about ten minutes and sometimes get the cooling back without a visit. Leave refrigerant, capacitors and wiring to a technician.
- Thermostat: set to COOL, a few degrees below room temperature, with the fan on AUTO. Replace the batteries if the screen is blank.
- Power: check the breakers for the outdoor unit and for the furnace or air handler, plus the disconnect switch beside the outdoor unit.
- Filter: a clogged filter is one of the most common causes of weak cooling and frozen coils. Replace it.
- Outdoor unit: with the power off, clear grass clippings, leaves and plants from around it so it can move air. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping the outdoor coil clean and the area around it clear.
- Furnace door: on central AC the indoor blower sits in the furnace, and its panel must be fully closed or a safety switch keeps the system off.
If it still won't cool, call us. Some systems have a float switch that shuts the AC off when the condensate drain backs up; that needs the drain cleared, not a reset.
Central AC, heat pump and ductless AC repair
Every air conditioner moves heat with the same basic parts, so the common repairs are similar, but the setup changes where problems show up.
If you have central air, an outdoor condenser works with an indoor coil on top of your furnace or air handler. The usual repairs are run capacitors and contactors, condenser fan motors, refrigerant leaks, dirty or frozen evaporator coils, clogged condensate drains and, on older systems, the compressor.
If you have a heat pump, it uses the same parts plus a reversing valve that switches it between cooling and heating. A heat pump that cools poorly in summer will usually heat poorly in winter, so it is worth fixing before the cold arrives.
If you have a ductless mini-split, the trouble is often a blocked drain line that drips water from a head, dirty filters and coils in the head, sensor errors, or a refrigerant leak at the line connections. See ductless mini-splits.
What does AC repair cost in the Seattle area?
Most Seattle AC repairs cost $500 to $2,220, according to Angi's Seattle HVAC repair data (regional estimate, May 2026), and the average Seattle HVAC repair is $389. Ductless mini-split repairs run $330 to $610. A capacitor is at the low end; a compressor or coil replacement costs the most. Updated October 2026.
| Repair | Seattle cost range (Angi, May 2026) |
|---|---|
| Capacitor | $110 to $280 |
| Thermostat | $110 to $650 |
| Refrigerant leak | $280 to $1,670 |
| Blower or fan motor | $160 to $2,160 |
| Coil replacement | $550 to $2,500 |
| Compressor | $900 to $2,900 |
| Condensate drain line cleaning | $80 to $220 |
Source: Angi, Seattle HVAC repair cost (May 2026). These are regional estimates, not Home Comfort Alliance prices.
Home Comfort Alliance service prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dispatch (trip) fee | $119 |
| Standard diagnostic fee | $72 |
| Deeper diagnostic fee | $130 |
| After-hours fee | $330 |
| AC tune-up | $230 ($180 for Home Comfort Club members) |
| Thermostat replacement | $299 to $1,840 |
Prices as of September 2026. Fees are listed separately.
You approve an upfront, written price before any repair begins. Current offer: $50 off HVAC service or repair (see special offers). Bigger repairs can be financed through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, with plans starting at $179/month* and 0% interest options for qualifying customers (financing).
Repairs don't qualify for utility rebates, and the federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. If you replace a cooling-only AC, Washington utility rebates go mainly to heat pumps; see the AC installation cost guide.
*Financing through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and monthly payments depend on the amount financed, the plan and your credit. 0% interest options are available to qualifying customers. See lender for full terms.
Get an estimateA comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.
Repair or replace your AC?
Repair is usually right when the AC has been reliable and the fix is a small share of a new system. Replacement starts to make sense when:
- The compressor or coil has failed on an older system. In Seattle those run $900 to $2,900 and $550 to $2,500 (Angi, May 2026).
- The system's age times the repair cost is over $5,000 (the "$5,000 rule").
- It uses R-22 refrigerant and has a leak. U.S. production and import of R-22 ended January 1, 2020. EPA says you can keep using an R-22 system on reclaimed refrigerant, with no requirement to replace, but recharges cost more.
- You are calling for repairs every summer, or the house never cools evenly.
In the Puget Sound, many homeowners replace an old AC with a heat pump, which cools in summer, heats efficiently in winter and qualifies for utility rebates. Our technicians will tell you which way they would go and why. If replacement wins, see AC installation, heat pump installation or HVAC replacement, and get a price range in about 30 seconds with our instant quote tool. More signs: when it's time to replace your AC.
How our AC repair works
- Call or request a visit. Our phones are answered after hours for heating and cooling emergencies, with same-day and after-hours service across our service area.
- Diagnosis. A NATE-certified technician checks the thermostat, airflow, filter and coil, measures the refrigerant charge, and tests the capacitor, contactor, motors and compressor to find the cause.
- Upfront price. You get the price before any work begins, plus a straight answer on repair vs replace.
- Repair. We fix central AC, heat pumps and ductless systems of all major brands.
- Test. We run a full cooling cycle, check the temperature drop across the coil and the condensate drain, and walk you through what we found.
What you get with Home Comfort Alliance
- Upfront, transparent pricing before any work begins.
- NATE-certified technicians who service all major AC and heat pump brands.
- Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer for new equipment.
- After-hours emergency service; our phones are answered after hours for heating and cooling emergencies.
- Home Comfort Club members get priority scheduling, discounted repair rates, a $180 AC tune-up and extended labor coverage on new systems we install, up to 5 years from installation (membership plans from $15 a month).
- Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington.
- Best Pick Reports Best Pick 2025 and 2026; BBB Accredited Business since 2002.
Where we repair air conditioners
Home Comfort Alliance repairs air conditioners across the Puget Sound region from four offices: Redmond, Everett, Bremerton and Sumner. Local AC repair pages: Puyallup, Sumner, Bremerton and Duvall. Find your city on our service areas page, including Seattle, Tacoma and Everett.
AC repair FAQ
How much does AC repair cost in Seattle?
Angi puts most Seattle AC repairs at $500 to $2,220, with the average Seattle HVAC repair at $389 (regional estimate, May 2026). A capacitor costs $110 to $280; a compressor runs $900 to $2,900. Home Comfort Alliance charges a $119 dispatch fee and a $72 standard diagnostic fee, and you approve an upfront price before any repair starts.
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Start with the thermostat (COOL, set below room temperature, fan on AUTO), the filter and the outdoor unit: if its fan isn't spinning, a failed capacitor or contactor is common. Other causes are low refrigerant from a leak, a dirty or frozen coil, or a failing compressor, which need a technician.
Why is my AC freezing up?
An AC usually freezes from poor airflow, such as a clogged filter, closed vents or a dirty coil, or from low refrigerant caused by a leak. Turn the cooling off and run the fan to thaw it, replace the filter, and call for repair if it freezes again.
Why is water leaking from my AC?
Most AC leaks come from a clogged condensate drain line or a cracked or overflowing drain pan, and a frozen coil can drip as it thaws. Turn the AC off to limit damage and book a repair; clearing the drain is usually a quick fix.
What is the $5,000 rule for AC?
The $5,000 rule is a rough guide for repair or replace: multiply the AC's age in years by the repair cost. If the result is more than $5,000, get a replacement quote before paying for the repair. For example, a $600 repair on a 12-year-old AC gives $7,200, so replacement is worth pricing.
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old AC?
It can be, for a small repair like a capacitor or fan motor. For a compressor, a coil or a refrigerant leak, use the $5,000 rule: multiply the age by the repair cost, and if the result is over $5,000, compare it with a replacement quote. Many homeowners here replace an old AC with a heat pump that also heats.
Can you still repair an AC that uses R-22?
Yes. U.S. production and import of R-22 ended January 1, 2020, but EPA says existing systems can keep running on reclaimed and stockpiled R-22, with no requirement to replace. Recharging costs more than it used to, so a leak on an R-22 system is often the point to replace. EPA also warns that "R-22a" is flammable and not a safe substitute.
Do you repair heat pumps and ductless mini-splits that cool?
Yes. Home Comfort Alliance repairs central air conditioners, ducted heat pumps and ductless mini-splits of all major brands. We are also a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer and a Quilt dealer for new equipment.
Is there a charge for an AC repair visit?
Yes. Service and repair visits carry a $119 dispatch fee, and diagnosis is a $72 standard or $130 deeper diagnostic fee, listed separately. After-hours visits carry a $330 after-hours fee. You see and approve the repair price before we start.
Is a broken AC an emergency?
It can be during a heat wave if someone at home is older, very young, pregnant or has a medical condition, or if the system is sparking or smells of burning. Our phones are answered after hours for heating and cooling emergencies and after-hours service carries a $330 fee; otherwise a next-day visit avoids that fee. See our after-hours emergency service page.
Sources: Angi (Seattle HVAC repair cost data, May 2026), EPA (R-22 phaseout), U.S. Department of Energy (air conditioner maintenance), IRS (25C credit), all checked October 2026.
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance for AC Repair?
Your Comfort is Our Promise
We promise...
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during every visit, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Get your AC fixed
Tell us what your air conditioner is doing and a comfort advisor will set up a repair visit. Our phones are answered 24/7.
Get an estimate
A local comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.