When your air conditioner quits in the middle of a Grand Strand summer, the house heats up and the humidity climbs fast. Dependable Service Plumbing & Air provides AC repair in Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island and communities up and down the coast. We find what’s actually wrong, explain it in plain language, and give you your options before we start any work.
Call us today at (843) 353-0461 to schedule AC repair, or contact us online.
Before you call, check the simple things: the thermostat is set to cool and has working batteries, the filter isn’t clogged, and the breakers for both the indoor and outdoor units are on. If those check out, it’s time for a technician.
Air conditioners near the ocean face conditions that inland systems don’t. These are the problems we see most often along the Grand Strand.
Salt carried on the ocean breeze settles on the outdoor unit’s coil and thin aluminum fins. Over time it corrodes them, which reduces the coil’s ability to release heat and can eventually cause refrigerant leaks. Homes closer to the beach usually see this sooner. Depending on the damage, the answer may be cleaning, a coil repair, a coil replacement, or, on an older system, a conversation about replacement.
It sounds backward, but humid weather can lead to a frozen indoor coil. When airflow is restricted by a dirty filter, closed vents, a dirty coil or a weak blower, the coil gets too cold and the moisture it pulls from the air turns to ice. Low refrigerant can cause the same thing. If you see ice, turn the system off and let it thaw before calling, since running it frozen can damage the compressor.
In our climate, an air conditioner removes a lot of water from the air every day. That water drains through a condensate line, and the warm, wet conditions inside it are ideal for algae and sludge. When the line clogs, water backs up into the drain pan, which can overflow onto ceilings and floors or trip a safety switch that shuts the system off. We clear the line and can talk with you about preventing repeat clogs.
The capacitor gives the compressor and fan motor the jolt they need to start, and the contactor is the switch that turns the outdoor unit on and off. Heat, long run times and power surges from summer storms wear both down. A failing capacitor often shows up as a humming outdoor unit that won’t start. Capacitors hold a stored charge, so leave this repair to a technician.
Your system doesn’t use up refrigerant. If it’s low, there’s a leak. Corrosion is a frequent cause on the coast. Adding refrigerant without finding the leak is a short-term fix at best. We locate the leak, explain whether it can be repaired, and help you weigh the cost against the age and condition of the system.
Not every problem means a new system, and we won’t push one on you. Repair usually makes sense when the system is relatively young, the problem is a single part, and the unit has otherwise been reliable. Replacement is worth considering when:
We’ll give you an honest view of both paths. If replacement makes sense, learn more about AC installation and replacement and financing options.
Many of the repairs above start as small problems that a maintenance visit can catch: a weak capacitor, a partly clogged drain, early corrosion, or a dirty coil. Regular AC maintenance and our Dependable Comfort Club membership help keep your system in better shape through long coastal summers. Change your filter regularly, keep plants and debris a couple of feet away from the outdoor unit, and gently rinse the outdoor coil with a garden hose (power off, no pressure washer) to remove salt buildup.
If your home stays muggy after a repair, ask about dehumidifiers, or see all our air conditioning services.
For AC repair in Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Conway or anywhere on the Grand Strand, call Dependable Service at (843) 353-0461, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, or request service online.
Common causes include a clogged filter, a frozen coil, low refrigerant from a leak, a failed capacitor or fan motor, or a dirty outdoor coil. Check the filter and thermostat first, then call us if the problem continues.
Salt air near the ocean corrodes metal parts, especially the coil fins. Rinsing the coil regularly helps, and a technician can tell you whether the corrosion is affecting performance.
No. Turn the system off, or switch it to fan only, to let the ice melt, then call for service. Running it frozen can damage the compressor.
Sometimes. It depends on the repair, the unit’s age and condition, and its repair history. We’ll explain both options so you can decide.
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We've been proudly serving the Grand Strand area for over 20 years.
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