Air Conditioning Systems

Most air-conditioning repairs start with a call-out fee and a labour rate, which for many home HVAC technicians is around $80–$140 per hour. If it’s an after-hours or emergency call, expect to pay more.

For small, straightforward issues like a settings check, filter clean, or a basic electrical test, you might pay anywhere from $70 to $250+. For the everyday repairs most homeowners run into, the cost is usually between $150 and $1,000, depending on what’s actually wrong. A lot of common jobs land somewhere around the $300 to $600 mark.

If parts are needed, here are a few rough examples many people will recognise: cleaning or changing filters is often $70–$130+, replacing a faulty capacitor can be $95–$450+, fan motor repairs or replacement can sit around $200–$700+, fixing a refrigerant leak and regassing is commonly $160–$800+, and a compressor replacement is generally $800–$1,500+, sometimes more if the system is…

Hello everyone, I’m not an air-conditioning technician and was hoping someone could offer some advice. My air-conditioning system runs, but it doesn’t cool properly when the weather is very hot. Any ideas on what might cause this?

Poor airflow leads to hot and cold spots, energy waste, and system strain. Learn how to test and balance airflows for better comfort and efficiency.

Even the best-designed system can perform poorly if airflows aren’t balanced.

Use a digital anemometer to measure CFM at each diffuser and adjust balancing dampers until supply matches design airflow.

In VAV systems, check actuator calibration and minimum air settings.

Balanced airflow improves comfort, reduces energy consumption, and helps compressors and fans run at optimal load.

Always check filter condition and coil cleanliness before airflow testing to ensure accurate readings.