AC Repair · New Orleans & Metairie
AC Repair in New Orleans, Done Right the First Time
When your air conditioner quits in a New Orleans summer, the house heats up fast and the humidity creeps in right behind it. Our NATE-certified techs find the real problem, show you a flat-rate price before any work starts, and fix most issues the same visit from a fully stocked van. If it's after hours, our 24/7 emergency AC repair line picks up.
- $99 diagnostic, waived with repair
- Most repairs same visit
- Flat-rate, upfront pricing
- All makes and models
Warning signs
AC Repair: the warning signs
01
Warm air from the vents
The system runs but the air feels barely cool. On a healthy system, supply air is usually about 15–20°F cooler than the air going into the return.
02
Outdoor unit hums but the fan won't spin
A humming condenser with a still fan often points to a failed capacitor or fan motor. Capacitors are the most common part to fail in South Louisiana heat.
03
Ice on the copper lines or indoor coil
Frost on the refrigerant lines usually means low airflow or low refrigerant. Running it frozen can push liquid back to the compressor and cause bigger damage.
04
Breaker keeps tripping
A breaker that trips again and again is a warning, not a nuisance. It can mean a shorted motor, a failing compressor or a wiring problem.
05
Short cycling
If the system kicks on and off every few minutes, it's working hard without removing much heat or moisture. Causes range from a dirty coil to an electrical fault.
06
Strange noises or burning smells
Grinding, squealing, buzzing or a hot electrical smell means a part is failing. Shut the system off and call before a small repair turns into a big one.
07
House feels sticky even when it's cool
Your AC is your main dehumidifier. If indoor humidity climbs above about 60%, something in the system isn't pulling its weight.
What to do next
AC stopped cooling? Check these first
- 1
Make sure the thermostat is set to COOL, a few degrees below room temperature, with the fan on AUTO. Replace the batteries if the screen is blank or dim.
- 2
Check the filter. A clogged filter is one of the most common causes of weak airflow and frozen coils. Swap it if you can't see light through it.
- 3
Look at the breaker panel for the AC and air handler breakers. If one is tripped, you can reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call us.
- 4
If you see ice on the indoor coil or copper lines, turn the system to OFF and set the fan to ON to help it thaw. Thawing can take a few hours.
- 5
Walk outside and clear leaves, grass clippings and anything stored within about two feet of the condenser.
- 6
Check that the outdoor disconnect switch near the condenser is in the ON position, especially if someone recently worked on the unit or mowed nearby.
Safety first: Don't open the outdoor unit or touch the capacitor. Capacitors can hold a dangerous charge even with the power off. Don't keep resetting a breaker that trips, don't hose down a running unit, and never try to add refrigerant yourself.
Call a pro right away if…
- You smell burning or see scorch marks on the unit or wiring.
- The breaker trips again after one reset.
- Indoor temperatures are climbing toward the upper 80s and someone in the home is elderly, very young or has a health condition.
- Water is leaking through a ceiling or overflowing from the attic pan.
- The outdoor unit is humming or buzzing but the fan isn't turning.
When we arrive
What to expect from our visit
- 1
Real arrival window
We give you an honest time when you call or text. Your tech shows up in a marked van stocked with the parts that fail most often in our climate.
- 2
Full-system diagnosis
We check electrical components, refrigerant pressures, airflow and temperature split, using thermal imaging and pressure testing to pinpoint the cause instead of guessing.
- 3
Flat-rate price before work starts
You get a clear explanation and a flat-rate price. Nothing happens until you approve it, and the $99 diagnostic is waived when you do.
- 4
Repair and test
Most repairs are finished the same visit. We test the system under load and confirm it's cooling and dehumidifying properly before we leave.
- 5
Warranty-backed work
Every repair comes with a written parts and labor warranty, plus honest notes on anything else we noticed so you can plan ahead.
Preventative care
How to keep it from happening again
Change filters often
In our long cooling season, check filters monthly and replace them every one to three months. Pets, dust and construction mean more often.
Schedule a spring tune-up
A spring tune-up catches weak capacitors and dirty coils before the first heat wave. Most summer breakdowns start as small problems.
Keep the condenser clear
Trim plants back at least two feet and keep grass clippings and leaves off the coil. The unit needs open air to shed heat.
Treat the drain line
Pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into the condensate access port monthly in summer to slow algae buildup. More tips in our clogged drain line guide.
Add surge protection
Afternoon thunderstorms bring power surges that can fry control boards and compressors. A surge protector on the AC is cheap insurance.
Honest pricing
What it costs
Every repair starts with a $99 diagnostic, waived when you approve the repair. What it costs after that depends on the part that failed, whether it's in stock on the van, how hard it is to reach (attic air handlers in July are a different job than a ground-level condenser), and whether refrigerant work is involved. We don't charge by the hour. You get a flat-rate price upfront and approve it before we start, with no overtime fees for nights, weekends or holidays. If a repair doesn't make sense on an older system, we'll tell you straight and walk you through replacement options.
- $99 diagnostic, waived with repair
- Flat-rate price approved before work
- No overtime fees — ever
- Military discount available
- Comfort Club members save 15% on parts
From neighbors we've helped
“Our AC went out at 11 AM on the first day of Jazz Fest — kitchen was 95°. Bradley Air had a tech here in 25 minutes, fixed the compressor, and we were back serving po'boys by lunch. Lifesavers!”
“Called three companies. Two quoted $1,200+ to replace a capacitor. Bradley diagnosed it as a loose wire — $89 and done in 30 minutes. Finally, an honest AC company in NOLA!”
FAQ
AC Repair questions, answered
How fast can you get to my home for AC repair?
Is it worth repairing an older AC?
Do you work on all brands?
What does the $99 diagnostic include?
Why is my AC running but the house won't get below 78°F?
Related services
24/7 Emergency AC Repair
Day or night, weekends and holidays, with a real ETA on the phone and the same flat-rate pricing. No overtime fees, ever.
- Answered 24/7
- No overtime fees, ever
- Often there within the hour
AC Maintenance & Tune-Ups
Spring and fall tune-ups that catch problems early. Comfort Club members get two visits a year, priority scheduling and 15% off parts for $149/year.
- Comfort Club: $149/year
- Two tune-ups per year
- Priority scheduling
AC Drain Line & Water Leak Repair
Clear clogged condensate lines, fix overflowing pans and leaks, and get a system shut down by a float switch back up and running.
- Clogged drain lines cleared
- Float switch troubleshooting
- Drain pan repair
Read before you call
Cooling8 min read
New Orleans Heat Wave AC Survival Guide: What's Normal, What's Not, and When to Call
When it's 97° with a 110° heat index, how do you tell a struggling AC from a broken one? Here's what's normal, what to check, and what to do.
Read the guide
Maintenance8 min read
Clogged AC Drain Line? Why It's South Louisiana's #1 Summer AC Call — and How to Prevent It
Your AC pulls gallons of water out of the air every muggy day. When the drain line clogs, it can shut the system off or stain your ceiling. Here's how to keep it flowing.
Read the guideReady when you are — day or night.
Call or text a real person 24/7. $99 diagnostic waived with repair, flat-rate pricing, and no overtime fees — ever.