Air ConditioningNewton, MAResidential

Emergency AC Compressor Repair

Project Overview

Heat wave emergencies are among the most time-sensitive calls we handle. When vulnerable residents — elderly individuals, young children, or those with medical conditions — lose air conditioning during extreme heat, the situation can escalate from uncomfortable to dangerous within hours.

Our ability to respond quickly comes down to preparation. We maintain a fleet of fully stocked service vehicles with the most commonly needed parts — capacitors, contactors, relays, motors, and refrigerant — so our technicians can diagnose and repair most issues in a single visit without waiting for parts to be ordered.

In this Newton case, the dual failure of both the capacitor and contactor is actually common in older systems. Capacitors degrade gradually over time, and when they finally fail, the resulting electrical surge often damages the contactor as well. This is one reason we always inspect both components even when only one appears to have failed. A thorough diagnosis prevents the frustrating scenario of fixing one part only to have the system fail again days later.

The Challenge

During a prolonged heat wave with temperatures exceeding 95°F for five consecutive days, the central AC system in a Newton home suddenly stopped cooling. The outdoor unit was running but blowing warm air. The homeowner, an elderly woman living alone, was experiencing heat-related discomfort and had already contacted three other HVAC companies, all of which quoted 3–5 day wait times due to the heat wave emergency backlog. Indoor temperatures had reached 88°F and the homeowner's physician had advised her to avoid prolonged heat exposure due to a heart condition.

Our Solution

We dispatched our emergency technician within 90 minutes of receiving the call. Upon arrival, the technician performed a systematic diagnosis: the compressor motor was trying to start but immediately tripping on overload. After testing the electrical components, the root cause was identified as a failed dual-run capacitor combined with a worn contactor whose contacts had pitted and were no longer making solid electrical connections. Both parts were replaced on-site from our fully stocked service vehicle. The system was restored to full cooling by early evening. As a precaution, we also checked refrigerant charge (which was within specification), cleaned the condenser coils, and verified all electrical connections were secure to prevent any follow-up failures during the remainder of the heat wave.