| # | Cause | Telltale Sign | Fix Cost | DIY? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clogged drain line | AC shuts off; water by air handler | $150–$250 | Sometimes (wet/dry vac) |
| 2 | Dirty filter / frozen coil | Weak airflow, ice on lines | $0–$600 | Yes — replace filter |
| 3 | Failed capacitor | Outdoor unit hums, won't start | $150–$400 | No (stored charge danger) |
| 4 | Refrigerant leak | Blows air, never gets cold | $400–$1,600 | No (EPA license required) |
| 5 | Leaky ductwork | Some rooms hot, high bills | Quoted after inspection | No |
| 6 | Failed contactor | Outdoor unit dead or stuck on | $150–$350 | No |
| 7 | Thermostat issue | Wrong readings, blank screen | $0–$500 | Yes — batteries, settings |
| 8 | Condenser fan motor | Fan not spinning, unit hot | $350–$650 | No |
| 9 | Dirty condenser coil | Runs constantly, poor cooling | $89 tune-up | Rinse gently, yes |
| 10 | Failing compressor | Breaker trips, loud starts | $1,200–$2,800 | No — get 2nd opinion |
Why is my AC shutting off with water around the air handler?
A clogged condensate drain line — the #1 AC failure in Orlando. Florida humidity makes your AC pull gallons of water a day; algae clogs the drain; the float switch kills the system to prevent flooding.
The fix is clearing the line and treating it against algae — $150–$250, same-day. Some companies quote $600+ for this exact repair; it's the most over-quoted fix we see. Confident DIYers can sometimes pull the clog with a wet/dry vac at the outdoor drain stub. Prevention is easy: drain treatment during your $89 tune-up.
Why is there ice on my AC lines?
Ice means restricted airflow (usually a dirty filter) or low refrigerant. Turn the system OFF and run the fan to thaw it — running an AC frozen can destroy the compressor.
A $10 filter left in place for six months does more damage in Florida than almost anything else — the coil ices, airflow drops, and eventually the compressor overheats. If a fresh filter and a thaw don't cure it, the coil or refrigerant charge needs a professional look. Details on refrigerant costs: the R-454B transition and your repair bill.
Why is my AC blowing warm air?
Three usual suspects: the outdoor unit isn't running (capacitor/contactor/breaker), the refrigerant is low, or the thermostat is set to FAN instead of AUTO.
Quick check: is the outdoor fan spinning? If the indoor blower runs but the outdoor unit hums or sits silent, it's most often a $150–$400 capacitor — one of the cheapest real repairs in the table above. On FAN mode, the blower circulates room-temperature air even when nothing's wrong.
Why does my AC turn on and off every few minutes?
Short cycling: caused by an oversized system, a weak capacitor, low refrigerant, or an overheating compressor. It inflates electric bills and shortens compressor life.
If the system was recently replaced and short-cycles from day one, it was probably sized by rule-of-thumb instead of a Manual J load calculation — see what size AC do I need? An oversized unit cools the air fast but never wrings out Florida humidity, which is why the house feels cold and clammy at the same time.
Two findings we verify constantly on Orlando calls: oversized systems that short-cycle, and duct systems leaking 20–30% of cooled air into the attic.
Should I keep running my AC while it's not cooling right?
No — turn it OFF or to FAN-only. Running a frozen, low-refrigerant, or struggling system can convert a $200 repair into a $1,200–$2,800 compressor replacement.
In Orlando you won't wait long for help: we guarantee 90-minute arrival or $200 off, 24/7, at the same flat $89 service call — no after-hours fees.
Quick answers
Why is water leaking from my AC inside the house?
Clogged drain line — Orlando's #1 AC failure. Shut the system off (water damage costs more than the $150–$250 fix) and call for same-day service.
Can I fix a capacitor myself?
Don't. Capacitors hold a charge even with power off and can deliver a serious shock. It's a fast, inexpensive professional fix ($150–$400).
How do I know if it's the ducts and not the AC?
Classic signs: some rooms hot while others are fine, high bills, dusty house. We test duct leakage during diagnosis — see ductwork services.
What will the diagnosis cost me?
$89 flat, 24/7, applied toward your repair — with the problem shown to you on video before you approve anything. Full pricing: AC repair costs in Orlando.
Still Not Cooling? We'll Find It — On Video.
90-minute arrival or $200 off. $89 diagnostic applied to your repair. 5.0 stars, 91 reviews.
Call (407) 465-7777Smart Home Air & Heat — 10226 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32825 — office@smarthomeairheat.com