Any estimates on how much it will cost to repair or replace central air?

Question

We live in a townhouse and our central air is no longer working. We replaced the thermostat a little over a month ago and it worked again, but now it has stopped. The house fan will run, but when I set it to "cool" you hear a buzzing noise and the lights in my kitchen flash. There is no sound from the unit outside at all. It looks like an older unit. It's 8am and it's over 85 degrees in my place!

My husband did check the breakers and he listened outside as I turned it to "cool." There was no sound from the unit outside, just the buzzing inside and the lights flashing.

The only maintenance person we have is our landlord, and he's not returning my calls. Thanks all of your for your responses!

Answer 1

First Check the Breaker Panel, sounds like a partial thrown breaker. It could also be nothing but the Capacitor on the Compressor motor, it stores a slight charge of Electricity that helps the motor start up under the Pressurized load. Learn all you can, before you call for help- if you sound dumb about it, they will take you to the cleaners.

You must have some sort of Maintenance guy, talk to him , maybe he can help out in his off duty time.

Answer 2

Hopefully the buzzing sound is a relay trying to turn the unit on. Sometimes when the compressor locks up or wont start and it will surge the power. Try clicking your breakers off and back on to reset them ...with the unit turned off. Have someone listen to the outside unit when you turn the system to cool. It should try and turn on.
A new system can run 1500 (cost through a friend) to 3000. But you can just replace the part that is faulty . You will still have to call a repair man who can check or replace the relay if bad.

Answer 3

It's hard to say because we don't know what is wrong. If lights are flashing, it could be the unit outside, but you did say there is no sound from it so who knows. Are you sure it doesn't even hum a bit? Since you are in a townhouse it proaby isn't that big of a unit, maybe less than $1000, maybe $500. My suspition is it has something to do with your thermostat since you just replaced it. The newest thing is often the thing that breaks.

Answer 4

Depending on the age of the unit, it may be the compressor has seen it's last days and is ready for replacement. Landlords not like fixing these things. Most a/c service companies prefer replacing the whole unit. But, it probably could be fixed with a new compressor. The problem will be the unit you have will use R-22 Freon and they will need to flush the System to prepare it for the new if it not use the same Freon. Anyway .............. this may get expensive and IF the landlord does fix it he may want to raise your rent. Wal-Wort and other Stores have little window units for $88 you could try one in your living area and another in the Bedroom for a ball-park price of around $200 with Tax for two and when you ever move take them with you and keep your receipts to show they are yours. Landlords like for you to buy things and they keep them.

Answer 5

I paid about $1900 for my unit. Call around, get some quotes. Did you check the breakers? The last time mine was not functioning, the breaker was bad. I feel for you, I don't know what I would do without mine. Good luck.

Answer 6

probably about a 1000 if it is the unit outside

Answer 7

Good luck... my in-laws paid over $3000.

If your landlord isn't returning your calls, report him to the state.

Answer 8

If you don't mind, why bother everybody ? Just consult a good technician, get the work done..and relax !