AC Repair Lexington, TN

When your air conditioning system stops working properly in the middle of a Tennessee summer, finding reliable AC repair services becomes your top priority. At ADA AC & Heating, we understand the urgency of restoring comfort to your home. Our experienced technicians specialize in diagnosing and repairing all types of air conditioning problems, from minor issues like refrigerant leaks to major component failures that require extensive repairs.

The humid subtropical climate of Lexington means your air conditioning system works overtime during the warmer months, which typically stretch from May through September. Average summer temperatures regularly reach into the 90s, with humidity levels that can make it feel even hotter. This constant operation puts significant strain on your AC unit, making regular maintenance and prompt repairs essential for maintaining system reliability and efficiency.

Common Air Conditioning Problems We Repair

One of the most frequent issues we encounter involves refrigerant leaks, which can develop slowly over time or occur suddenly due to corrosion or physical damage to the refrigerant lines. When your system loses refrigerant, it cannot effectively remove heat from your home’s air, resulting in reduced cooling capacity and increased energy consumption. Our technicians use specialized leak detection equipment including electronic leak detectors and UV dye systems to pinpoint the exact location of refrigerant leaks, allowing us to make precise repairs and restore your system to proper operating levels.

Electrical component failures represent another significant category of AC repairs. Your air conditioning system relies on numerous electrical components including capacitors, contactors, relays, and circuit boards to operate correctly. Capacitors, which provide the electrical boost needed to start your compressor and fan motors, are particularly prone to failure in high-temperature environments. When a capacitor fails, your system may struggle to start, make unusual humming sounds, or fail to operate entirely. We maintain a comprehensive inventory of replacement capacitors and other electrical components to ensure we can complete most repairs during our initial service visit.

Compressor problems often represent the most serious and costly repairs in air conditioning systems. The compressor serves as the heart of your AC system, pressurizing refrigerant and circulating it through the system to facilitate heat transfer. Common compressor issues include electrical failures, mechanical wear, liquid slugging from improper refrigerant charge, and overheating due to inadequate airflow or dirty condenser coils. Our technicians perform comprehensive diagnostic testing including checking amperage draw, measuring discharge and suction pressures, and testing winding resistance to accurately diagnose compressor problems and determine whether repair or replacement represents the most cost-effective solution.

Our Comprehensive Repair Process

When you contact us for AC repair services, we follow a systematic diagnostic approach that ensures we identify and address not just the immediate problem but any underlying issues that could lead to future failures. Our process begins with a detailed discussion of the symptoms you’ve observed, including when problems occur, any unusual sounds or odors, and changes in system performance. This information helps our technicians narrow down potential causes before beginning their physical inspection.

During the inspection phase, we examine all major system components including the indoor evaporator coil, outdoor condenser unit, refrigerant lines, electrical connections, drainage system, and ductwork connections. We use advanced diagnostic tools including digital manifold gauges to measure system pressures and temperatures, multimeters to test electrical components, and thermal imaging cameras to identify hot spots that may indicate failing components or poor connections. This thorough approach allows us to identify problems that might not be immediately apparent but could cause system failure if left unaddressed.

Understanding Repair vs. Replacement Decisions

Determining whether to repair or replace your air conditioning system requires careful consideration of multiple factors including the age of your system, repair costs, energy efficiency, and reliability concerns. In 1960 Clarence Ada opened up Ada Air conditioning in the hopes of creating a company that would be able to provide the best quality and most honest service to the people he called his neighbors, and that commitment to honest recommendations continues today. We evaluate each situation individually, considering factors such as whether your system uses R-22 refrigerant which has been phased out of production, making repairs increasingly expensive, or whether multiple major components have failed indicating systemic problems.

The general industry guideline suggests considering replacement when repair costs exceed fifty percent of the replacement cost for systems over ten years old. However, this rule requires adjustment based on specific circumstances. For instance, if your system has been well-maintained and the failed component is covered under warranty, repair might make economic sense even for an older system. Conversely, if your system has required frequent repairs or operates inefficiently resulting in high energy bills, replacement might prove more cost-effective even if the immediate repair cost seems reasonable.

Preventive Maintenance and System Longevity

Regular maintenance significantly reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and extends the operational life of your air conditioning system. Our maintenance services include comprehensive cleaning of both indoor and outdoor coils, checking and adjusting refrigerant levels, testing all electrical components, lubricating moving parts, inspecting and cleaning the condensate drainage system, and verifying proper thermostat operation.

• Filter replacement: changing filters monthly during peak cooling season prevents airflow restrictions that cause system strain
• Coil cleaning: removing dirt and debris from evaporator and condenser coils maintains heat transfer efficiency
• Electrical inspection: tightening connections and testing components prevents unexpected failures
• Refrigerant check: maintaining proper charge ensures optimal cooling capacity and efficiency

Professional maintenance also provides opportunities to identify developing problems before they result in system failure. For example, detecting early signs of compressor wear such as increased amperage draw or unusual operating sounds allows for proactive intervention that might extend compressor life or at minimum allows you to plan for eventual replacement rather than facing an unexpected failure during peak cooling season. Similarly, identifying and addressing minor refrigerant leaks during routine maintenance prevents the gradual loss of cooling capacity and potential compressor damage that occurs when systems operate with insufficient refrigerant charge for extended periods.