What Is Killing Your AC in Hondo
South Texas summers are not subtle, and Hondo runs its systems hard. When one quits, it is almost always one of these.
Failed Run Capacitor
The most common single-point AC failure we see. A part the size of a soup can that dies in heat — usually the hottest week of the year, when the attic is 130 degrees and the system has run flat out for days. We carry capacitors in three ratings, so the repair takes under an hour and the house is cool before dinner.
Refrigerant Leak
If your AC slowly lost its cool over weeks, you have a leak. We do not just recharge it and leave — recharging a leaking system is a subscription, not a repair. We locate the leak, quote the fix, and recharge once it is sealed. It is usually the evaporator coil.
Failed Contactor
The contactor is the electrical switch that starts the compressor. When it burns out, the outdoor unit sits dead while the air handler pushes warm air. Parts on the truck, usually under two hours — and being licensed for electrical too, we check the whole start circuit while we are in there.
Clogged Drain or Dirty Coil
A clogged condensate drain trips a safety float and shuts the system off — it looks dead but it is protecting itself. A dirty coil makes the system work twice as hard for half the cooling. Both are same-day fixes.
Why Hondo Homes in Particular
The established homes near the courthouse often run undersized panels and dated wiring. We modernize the electrical safely, keep the character, and bring it to NEC 2023 code with a permit for insurance and resale.
AC Repair Pricing in Hondo
| Service | Notes | Price |
|---|
| Service call | Written quote — waived on repair | $79 |
| Capacitor replacement | Parts on truck, under an hour | $150–$350 |
| Contactor replacement | Electrical test + run verification | $175–$375 |
| Refrigerant recharge | Includes leak location — recharge-only not offered | $200–$600 |
| Condensate drain clear | Pan treatment included | $100–$200 |
| Thermostat replacement | Smart setup + compatibility check | $150–$400 |
| Annual AC tune-up | 21-point inspection + written report | $99 flat |
All prices flat-rate, all-in, written and approved before work starts. No travel surcharge for Hondo.
Same-day in most cases