Frequently Asked
Questions

Before you call, check these three things: (1) Look at your thermostat. If the screen is blank, see the thermostat question below. If it's on, make sure it's set to "cool" and the fan is set to "auto." (2) Check your breaker panel. HVAC systems usually have two breakers, one for the indoor unit and one for the outdoor unit. Flip any tripped breakers off and back on. (3) Check the disconnect box next to your outdoor unit. If it has a pull-out, make sure it's seated. If none of that works, call us at (337) 893-5646.

If you can hear the outdoor unit running but there's no air coming from your vents, your blower motor (the fan inside the air handler) might have failed or tripped its own safety switch. A severely clogged filter can also shut the blower down as a safety measure. Check the filter first. If it's clean and you still have no airflow, the blower motor, capacitor, or relay likely needs attention. That's a job for a technician.

A blank thermostat usually means it's lost power. Here's what to check: (1) If your thermostat uses batteries, replace them. That fixes it about half the time. (2) Check your breaker panel for a tripped HVAC breaker and reset it. (3) Look for a small switch on or near your air handler. Some units have a dedicated light switch that cuts power to the thermostat wiring. If none of that brings it back, there could be a blown fuse on the control board or a wiring issue. Call us at (337) 893-5646 and we'll sort it out.

Try switching the fan from "auto" to "on." If the fan kicks on, the thermostat is communicating and the problem is likely on the equipment side (a bad contactor, capacitor, or compressor). If nothing happens at all, the thermostat wiring could be damaged, or the thermostat itself may need replacing. Our technicians can diagnose whether it's the thermostat or something deeper in the system. We install and service all major smart thermostats too.

Yes, you should address it quickly. When your AC runs, it pulls moisture out of the air (especially in Louisiana's humidity). That water is supposed to drain away through a condensate line. If you see water pooling, the drain line is probably clogged with algae or sludge, or the drain pan is cracked or overflowing. Turn the system off to prevent water damage, then call us. This is one of the most common service calls we get, and it's a quick fix when caught early.

The drain pan catches condensation before it exits through the drain line. If the pan keeps filling, the drain line is blocked. In Louisiana, algae grows fast inside these lines because of our humidity. Pouring a cup of white vinegar down the drain line every few months can help prevent clogs. If the pan is already overflowing, call us at (337) 893-5646 before it causes water damage to your ceiling, walls, or flooring. We clear the line and make sure everything drains properly.

If you see ice on the copper lines, on the outdoor unit, or on the indoor coil, turn the system off and set the fan to "on" (not auto). This lets the fan blow warm air over the coil to help it thaw. Don't try to chip the ice off. Let it melt on its own, which can take a few hours. While you wait, check the air filter. A clogged filter is the number one cause of frozen ACs because it starves the coil of warm air. If the filter is clean, you may have a refrigerant leak or a blower problem, both of which need a technician.

The most common causes in Acadiana are: dirty air filters (check yours monthly), low refrigerant from a leak, a failing blower motor that isn't pushing enough air, or running your AC when it's unusually cool outside at night. Our humidity makes things worse because there's more moisture in the air to freeze onto the coil. If your unit freezes more than once, something specific is causing it and a technician needs to find the root problem. Call us at (337) 893-5646 for an AC repair appointment.

A musty or moldy smell usually means moisture is building up somewhere it shouldn't, often inside the air handler or ductwork. That's common in Louisiana's humidity. A vinegar-like smell can point to a clogged condensate drain. A burning or electrical smell means you should turn the system off immediately and call us. If the smell is only when the system first kicks on after sitting idle, that's typically just dust burning off and should go away in a few minutes.

It depends on the noise. A buzzing from the outdoor unit could be a failing contactor or a loose electrical connection. A screeching or squealing sound is usually a belt or bearing going bad in the blower motor. A clicking sound at startup is normal, but constant clicking isn't. Banging or clanking usually means something is loose or broken inside the compressor. For any noise that's new or getting louder, turn the system off and call us at (337) 893-5646. Running it with a mechanical problem can turn a small repair into a big one.

Very likely. Your HVAC system accounts for roughly half your electric bill, and in a Louisiana summer that number climbs even higher. Common causes of a sudden spike: a dirty air filter forcing the system to work harder, a refrigerant leak making the compressor run longer, a failing capacitor, or an aging system that's just lost its efficiency. If your bill jumped without any change in habits, schedule an AC tune-up. We can measure what your system is actually doing and tell you if something's off.

In Louisiana, where systems run hard for 8-9 months a year, a well-maintained AC typically lasts 12 to 15 years. Heat pumps tend to fall on the lower end because they handle both heating and cooling. If your system is older than 10 years and needing frequent repairs, it's worth getting a quote on replacement. Newer systems are significantly more efficient, which means lower electric bills every month.

A good rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than half the price of a new system, replacement usually makes more sense. Also consider the system's age. If it's 12+ years old and this isn't the first repair this year, you're likely putting money into a system that's on its way out. We'll always give you an honest assessment and never push replacement when a repair will do. Call us at (337) 893-5646 for a free estimate on a new system, or to schedule a repair visit.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Think of it like miles per gallon for your AC. The higher the SEER number, the less electricity it uses to cool your home. Older systems might be rated 8-10 SEER. New systems sold in Louisiana must be at least 15 SEER2. A jump from 10 SEER to 16 SEER can cut your cooling costs nearly in half. We can help you find the right balance between upfront cost and long-term savings.

At least once a year. In South Louisiana, where your system runs 8-9 months out of the year, twice a year is even better (once before summer, once before winter). Skipping maintenance lets small problems grow into expensive ones. A clogged drain line becomes water damage, a dirty coil becomes a compressor failure. If it's been more than a year, schedule an AC tune-up and let us check everything over. We'll tell you where things stand.

For standard 1-inch filters, every 30 to 60 days is the sweet spot in Louisiana. We run our systems almost year-round, and our humidity means filters collect moisture along with dust, which clogs them faster. If you have pets or allergies, check it every 30 days. A clean filter is the single easiest thing you can do to keep your system healthy and your energy bills down.

Yes. Our maintenance plans include annual tune-ups, priority scheduling, and discounts on repairs. It's the best way to stay ahead of problems and keep your system running efficiently. Call us at (337) 893-5646 or visit our maintenance plans page for details.

We cover the entire Acadiana region: Lafayette, Broussard, Youngsville, New Iberia, Crowley, Scott, Carencro, Abbeville, and more than a dozen other communities. Use our zip code checker to confirm we serve your area.

Yes. We dispatch emergency repairs outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Call (337) 893-5646 and follow the prompts for emergency service. We typically get a technician out within 1-2 hours.

Yes. We partner with WiseTack and Service Finance Company to offer flexible financing options. You can get 12 months at 0% interest or 60 months at 7.99% APR. Apply online through WiseTack or call us at (337) 893-5646 and we'll walk you through it.

Free estimates for new system installations, yes. For repairs, a trip charge applies ($95 for our primary service area, $125 for extended areas) which covers the technician's visit and diagnosis. If we do the repair, we'll go over pricing before any work starts.