Symptoms we get called for
These seven problems cover most of our AC repair calls. Where it's safe, we've included what you can check before you call. Our AC not cooling guide goes through the safe checks in more detail.
AC blowing warm air
Warm air usually means the outdoor unit isn't running right: a failed capacitor, a stuck contactor, a tripped breaker or a refrigerant leak. Make sure the thermostat is on Cool and set below room temperature. If the indoor fan runs but the outdoor fan isn't spinning, turn the system off and call.
AC runs constantly
Long run times are normal on a 95-degree afternoon. If it never reaches the set temperature, likely causes are a dirty filter, a dirty outdoor coil, low refrigerant or leaky ductwork. Check the filter and clear leaves or shrubs away from the outdoor unit.
AC short cycling
Turning on and off every few minutes is hard on the compressor. Causes include an oversized system, a thermostat in direct sun or near a supply vent, a frozen coil, or a safety switch tripping. Replace the thermostat batteries and check whether afternoon sun hits it. See why an AC or furnace short cycles.
Water around the indoor unit
Your AC pulls gallons of water out of humid Kentucky air. Water on the floor usually means a clogged condensate drain, a failed condensate pump, a cracked drain pan or a frozen coil melting. Turn the system off and keep water away from electrical parts.
Ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil
Ice usually comes from weak airflow (a clogged filter, closed vents, a failing blower) or low refrigerant. Don't chip at it. Set the thermostat to Off and the fan to On to thaw it, and change the filter if it's dirty.
Breaker keeps tripping
A breaker that trips when the AC starts usually points to a failing capacitor, a compressor struggling to start, a shorted fan motor or a burnt wire. Reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off, because repeated resets can damage the compressor and create a fire risk.
Loud noises or a blank thermostat
Buzzing often means a bad capacitor or contactor, or a compressor that can't start. Grinding or squealing usually means worn fan motor bearings; rattling can be a loose panel or a stick in the fan. Turn the system off and look from a safe distance, without reaching in. If the thermostat screen is blank, a clogged drain may have tripped a safety switch. See thermostat screen blank.
AC repairs we make
Most AC repairs come down to a handful of parts. We carry the common ones on the truck.
- Capacitors and contactors, the most common reasons an outdoor unit won't start
- Outdoor fan motors and indoor blower motors
- Refrigerant leaks: finding the leak, repairing it and recharging the system
- Frozen coils and airflow problems
- Condensate drains, drain pans, float switches and condensate pumps
- Thermostats, wiring and control boards
- Compressor starting problems
- Ductless mini-split repair: indoor heads, drains and error codes
We don't post repair prices online because a capacitor and a compressor are very different jobs. You get a firm price for your repair before any work starts.
Brands we repair
We repair all major brands of central air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits, including Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, Ruud, Goodman, Amana, Bryant, Daikin, York, American Standard, Heil and Payne. Don't know your brand? The name is on the outdoor unit, and the model and serial numbers are on its data plate.
What the $39 online-special diagnostic covers
The diagnostic ($39 with our online special, regularly $79) is a full check of your cooling system, usually 30 to 45 minutes, covering:
- Refrigerant pressures, superheat and subcooling, to see whether the charge is right
- Capacitor and contactor, tested against their ratings
- Compressor and outdoor fan motor amp draw, compared with the manufacturer's numbers
- Condensate drain line and pan
- Filter, blower motor and blower wheel
- Thermostat settings and wiring
- Outdoor coil condition and airflow
We explain what we found in plain language.
How repair pricing works
Every repair gets a firm, flat-rate price before any work starts. We quote the job, not the hour, so the price doesn't change if the crawlspace is tight.
We diagnose, explain and quote, and you decide. If you approve, the $39 diagnostic is credited in full. If you don't, the $39 is all you owe. To get the $39 price, just mention our online special when you call or text; otherwise the diagnostic is our regular $79.
The price is the same at 2 a.m. on a Sunday as at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, with no travel surcharge in our service area.
Repair or replace?
ENERGY STAR suggests considering a replacement once an air conditioner or heat pump is more than 10 years old. That's the point to start weighing your options, not a deadline. Usually a repair is still the right call, and age is the best place to start:
- Under about 10 years: usually repair.
- 10 to 15 years: weigh the repair cost against the system's age and condition. We'll give you our honest read.
- 15 years or older, or a second major repair: ask for repair and replacement quotes side by side.
R-410A systems can still be repaired and serviced. New equipment built since 2025 uses refrigerants like R-454B, but that doesn't mean your current system has to go. Our repair-or-replace guide walks through the decision. Already have a replacement quote from another company? Our second opinion on it is free.
How a repair visit works
A repair visit has four steps, and you know the price before any work begins.
- You call or text. Ahmad or Ammar answers and sets a time. Mention our online special for the $39 diagnostic (regularly $79).
- We diagnose. The diagnostic checks the whole system.
- We quote. You hear what's wrong and the flat-rate price. Nothing starts until you say yes.
- We fix it and clean up. We use parts from the truck when we have them and test before we leave.
Why Lexington homeowners call HVAC Doctor
People call us because the person who answers is an owner, and the price they hear is the price they pay.
- Owner-operated by Ahmad and Ammar, so you deal directly with the owners
- Open 24/7, no overtime fees on nights, weekends or holidays
- Kentucky HVAC license HM07217, licensed and insured
- Keeping Lexington homes comfortable since 2016
- 5.0 rating on Google
What customers say
Customers mention the quick response and knowing the price before we start.
“Excellent customer service and same day service!! They got my AC working and fixed a couple of items that were needed. I would use them again and I would recommend them too!!”
“Amazing experience they came in and fixed my system in no time. I'm really happy that I called this company. They explain the problem and the cost before hand. They had the parts with them to fix it overall amazing experience.”
“I had a great experience with HVAC Doctor! Ahmad and his partner were professional, friendly, and efficient. They quickly diagnosed the issue and had my system running smoothly in no time. I really appreciated their clear communication and honest advice. Highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!”
AC Repair questions
How much does AC repair cost in Lexington?
It depends on what's broken, so we don't quote repairs sight unseen. With our online special, the diagnostic is $39 (regularly $79; just mention it when you call or text). Then you get a firm, flat-rate price before any work starts. If you approve the repair, the $39 is credited in full. The price doesn't go up at night or on weekends.
Do you charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays?
No. We're open 24/7 and charge the same flat rates around the clock. A breakdown at 11 p.m. on a holiday weekend costs the same as one at noon on a Tuesday. The $39 online special (regularly $79, just mention it) and its credit toward the repair work the same way at any hour.
How fast can you get to my house?
Most Lexington calls are same-day. When you call or text, one of the owners answers and gives you a realistic arrival time based on where we are and what's already on the schedule. Because we're open 24/7, a late-evening call still reaches a person.
Do you repair all AC brands?
Yes. We repair all major brands of central air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits, including Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, Ruud, Goodman, Amana, Bryant, Daikin, York, American Standard, Heil and Payne.
My AC is low on refrigerant. Can you just top it off?
We can, but it's worth knowing why it's low. An AC doesn't use up refrigerant, so a low charge almost always means a leak. Topping off gets you cool again, but the charge will keep dropping. We'll explain what we found and quote the fix so you can decide.
Can you still repair an R-410A air conditioner?
Yes. R-410A systems can still be repaired and serviced, and refrigerant for them is still available. The switch to R-454B and R-32 applies to new equipment built since 2025. If your system is older and needs a major repair, we'll give you repair and replacement quotes side by side.
Should I keep running my AC if it's iced up or making noise?
No. Turn it off at the thermostat. Running an iced coil, or a compressor that's buzzing and struggling to start, can turn a modest repair into a major one. For ice, set the thermostat to Off and the fan to On so it thaws. For noise, leave it off and call.
What if I don't want the repair after the diagnostic?
You pay only the diagnostic ($39 when you mention our online special, regularly $79) and nothing else. We'll still explain what we found and give you the flat-rate price, so you can think it over or get another opinion. There's no pressure to decide while we're standing in your kitchen.
Will I talk to a call center?
No. When you call or text (859) 684-3259, one of the owners, Ahmad or Ammar, answers, day or night. HVAC Doctor holds Kentucky HVAC license HM07217 and we're insured.
Is the $79 A/C tune-up available now?
The $79 A/C tune-up is a cooling-season special, April through September. Any time of year, the Comfort Club ($180 a year) includes a cooling tune-up in spring and a heating tune-up in fall, plus 20% off repairs and priority scheduling.
What areas do you serve?
Lexington and all of Fayette County, plus Nicholasville, Georgetown, Versailles, Winchester, Frankfort, Danville, Stanford, Cynthiana and Mt Sterling, with no travel surcharge and the same flat-rate pricing everywhere.
Where we work
Lexington and nine nearby towns, with no travel surcharge and the same flat-rate pricing everywhere.