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Home Upgrade Specialist, Inc. repairs central air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits and furnaces in Los Angeles homes. Our in-house technicians (not subcontractors) work under CSLB #1031989, a C-20 HVAC license held since 2017, and serve Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Every repair starts with a diagnosis, and you receive written repair options before any work begins.
Priority HVAC repair scheduling, subject to technician availability. Call or text for the next available service window. (833) 446-6387
Diagnostic fee and repair approval
An HVAC diagnostic or service-call fee may apply. We will disclose any fee before the appointment. Repair or replacement work is quoted separately and requires customer approval before work begins.
After the diagnosis, your technician explains what failed, why, and what the repair options are. Photo reports of findings help you see the problem for yourself before you decide.
AC repair
We repair central split air conditioners, packaged units and the indoor air handlers or furnaces that move the air. Common AC repairs include failed capacitors and contactors, condenser fan motors, blower motors, clogged condensate drains, frozen evaporator coils, refrigerant leaks, wiring and control-board faults, and thermostat problems. When a major component such as a compressor or coil fails on an older system, we explain both the repair and the replacement option so you can compare them.
HVAC repair for heating and cooling systems
Many Los Angeles homes use one system for both heating and cooling. We diagnose and repair gas furnaces, heat pumps, air handlers, ductless mini-splits, thermostats and the ductwork that connects them. For furnace and heater problems, see heater and furnace repair in Los Angeles.
Common AC and HVAC problems
- AC blowing warm air: often a failed capacitor, contactor, outdoor fan motor, low refrigerant charge or a dirty condenser coil.
- System will not turn on: a tripped breaker, thermostat or wiring fault, blown fuse, failed control board or safety switch triggered by a full condensate pan.
- Water leaking indoors: usually a clogged condensate drain, cracked drain pan or failed condensate pump.
- Ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil: restricted airflow from a dirty filter or coil, a blower problem or low refrigerant.
- Weak airflow or uneven rooms: clogged filters, blower issues, disconnected or leaking ducts, or a system that was undersized for the home.
- Short cycling: thermostat placement or settings, oversized equipment, airflow restrictions or electrical faults.
- Loud buzzing, clicking or grinding: failing motors, capacitors, contactors or loose components.
- Higher energy bills: dirty coils, refrigerant problems, duct leakage or aging equipment.
For your safety, turn the system off if you see ice, smell burning or hear grinding, and do not remove electrical panels or covers. Replacing the air filter and checking the breaker and thermostat settings are safe first steps.
Capacitor and compressor problems
The capacitor gives the compressor and fan motors the boost they need to start. A weak or failed capacitor is one of the most common reasons an outdoor unit hums but does not start, and it is usually a straightforward repair. Compressor problems are more serious: a compressor that will not start, trips the breaker or runs without cooling may have an electrical fault, a mechanical failure or a refrigerant-circuit problem. We test the capacitor, contactor, wiring and compressor windings before recommending a compressor repair or a system replacement, so you are not replacing parts on a guess.
Thermostat and airflow problems
Some cooling complaints are not caused by the outdoor unit at all. A thermostat with failing batteries, incorrect settings, loose wiring or a poor location can keep a healthy system from running correctly. Airflow problems, including dirty filters, a dirty evaporator coil, a weak blower motor, closed or blocked registers, and leaking or crushed ducts, reduce comfort and can lead to frozen coils. Our technicians check the thermostat, filter, blower and accessible ductwork as part of the diagnosis. If duct leakage is the cause, see duct sealing and replacement.
Refrigerant diagnosis
Air conditioners and heat pumps do not use up refrigerant. If the charge is low, there is a leak. Adding refrigerant without finding the leak is a temporary fix at best. We check system pressures and temperatures against the manufacturer's specifications, inspect the likely leak points, and explain whether the leak can be repaired, what the repair involves and when replacement is the more practical choice. Older systems that use R-22 refrigerant face limited and costly refrigerant supply, which often changes the repair-versus-replace decision.
Heat pump repair
A heat pump heats and cools with the same outdoor unit, so problems can show up in either season. Common heat-pump repairs include reversing-valve and defrost-control faults, failed capacitors and fan motors, refrigerant leaks, sensor and control-board problems, and auxiliary-heat issues. If your heat pump runs but the house will not reach temperature, or the outdoor unit ices up and does not clear, call us for a diagnosis. Planning a new system instead? See heat pump installation in Los Angeles.
Mini-split repair
Ductless mini-splits have their own common problems: water dripping from the indoor unit, error codes or blinking lights, dirty filters and blower wheels, refrigerant leaks at the line-set connections, failed condensate pumps, and communication faults between the indoor and outdoor units. We service single-zone and multi-zone systems and can clean indoor units when buildup is affecting performance. For a new or additional system, see ductless mini-split installation in Los Angeles.
Repair or replace?
Repair is usually the right call for a younger system with a single failed part. Replacement is worth comparing when the system is older, needs a major component such as a compressor or coil, uses R-22 refrigerant, has needed repeated repairs, or no longer keeps the home comfortable. When replacement is a reasonable choice, we give you written options for both, and the decision is yours. Read more in AC repair vs AC replacement in Los Angeles and our AC installation and replacement guide.
Already have a replacement quote from another company? We can review another contractor's written quote and explain differences in equipment, scope and installation requirements.
What to expect from an HUS repair visit
- A text before arrival with your technician's name and photo
- An in-house, licensed technician who wears shoe covers in your home
- A diagnosis of the actual cause, with a photo report of findings
- Written repair options and pricing before any work begins
- No repair or replacement work without your approval
Regular service helps prevent many of the problems above. See our HVAC maintenance plans.
AC and HVAC repair FAQ
Is there a fee for an AC repair visit?
An HVAC diagnostic or service-call fee may apply. We will disclose any fee before the appointment. Repair or replacement work is quoted separately and requires customer approval before work begins.
How soon can a technician come out?
Priority HVAC repair scheduling, subject to technician availability. Call or text for the next available service window. (833) 446-6387
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Common causes include a dirty filter or coil, a failed capacitor or outdoor fan motor, a refrigerant leak, or a thermostat or airflow problem. Check the filter, thermostat setting and breaker first; if it still is not cooling, turn the system off and schedule a diagnosis.
Do you repair heat pumps and ductless mini-splits?
Yes. We repair central heat pumps, ductless mini-split and multi-zone systems, air handlers, furnaces and thermostats, as well as central air conditioners.
Can you just add refrigerant?
Low refrigerant means there is a leak. We diagnose the leak and explain the repair options, because recharging without addressing the leak usually means the problem returns.
Should I repair or replace my air conditioner?
It depends on the system's age, the failed component, the refrigerant type, repair history and how well the system keeps the home comfortable. After the diagnosis, we explain the repair option and, where it makes sense, a written replacement option for comparison.
Related Los Angeles HVAC services
Schedule AC or HVAC repair in Los Angeles
Priority HVAC repair scheduling, subject to technician availability. Call or text for the next available service window. C-20 HVAC contractor licensed since 2017 (CSLB #1031989) · in-house technicians · Google reviews → · Yelp reviews →
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