Air Conditioning Repair & Installation

Summer in Middle Tennessee is long, hot and humid. From late May through September, afternoon highs in the Nashville area regularly reach the upper 80s and 90s, and the humidity makes it feel worse. Your air conditioner does more than lower the temperature. It also pulls moisture out of the air, and when it can’t keep up, the house gets sticky, some rooms stay warm, and the electric bill climbs. If it is a built-in dehumidifier that has stopped working, see our whole-home dehumidifier repair in Nashville. For AC repair in La Vergne, see our AC repair in La Vergne, TN page.

Heavenly Air repairs, maintains, replaces and installs central air conditioning for homes and businesses in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill, Mount Juliet, Lebanon, Hermitage, Antioch, La Vergne, Nolensville, Murfreesboro and Smyrna. We are locally owned and our technicians are available 24 hours a day for emergency repair. This page explains what each of our air conditioning services involves, how to tell what your system needs, and what to expect when you call.

How your air conditioner works, and why it fails

A central air conditioner does not make cold air. It moves heat. Refrigerant circulating through a sealed loop absorbs heat from your indoor air at the evaporator coil (the part inside your air handler or on top of your furnace), carries it outside, and releases it through the condenser coil in the outdoor unit. The compressor pumps the refrigerant around the loop, fans move air across both coils, and the thermostat tells the whole system when to run.

Because so many parts have to work together, a failure in one small component can look like a failure of the whole system. In our experience the same short list of problems accounts for most summer breakdowns:

Dirty filters and coils. Restricted airflow makes the system work harder, freezes the indoor coil, and shortens equipment life.
Failed capacitors and contactors. These electrical parts start the compressor and fans. They wear out with heat and age, and they are one of the most common reasons an outdoor unit hums but won’t run.
Refrigerant leaks. A properly charged system never runs low. If it is low, there is a leak that has to be found and repaired, not just topped off.
Clogged condensate drains. Your air conditioner removes gallons of water from the air on a humid day. When the drain line clogs, water backs up and can shut the system down or damage ceilings and floors.
Worn blower motors and fan motors. Bearings and windings fail over time, especially in systems that have never been serviced.
Thermostat and control problems. Sometimes the equipment is fine and the signal telling it what to do is not.

Signs your air conditioner needs attention

Small symptoms usually show up long before a complete breakdown. If you notice any of these, a service visit now is almost always cheaper than waiting for a failure on the hottest day of the year.

Warm air from the vents. The outdoor unit may not be running, the refrigerant charge may be low, or the compressor may be struggling.
Weak airflow. A failing blower, a clogged filter, a collapsed duct or a frozen coil can all reduce how much air reaches your rooms.
Ice on the refrigerant line or indoor coil. Turn the system off and let it thaw. Running a frozen system can damage the compressor.
Water around the indoor unit. This usually means a clogged or disconnected condensate drain.
The system turns on and off in short cycles. Short cycling wears out parts and fails to remove humidity.
Humming, buzzing, grinding or squealing. Each noise points to a different failing part, and all of them get worse with time.
A musty smell when the system starts. Moisture and microbial growth on the coil or in the drain pan are common causes.
Breakers that trip when the air conditioner starts. Do not keep resetting the breaker. It is warning you about an electrical fault.
Higher utility bills with no change in how you use the house. Efficiency loss is gradual, and a tune-up often finds the cause.
Some rooms are always warmer than others. This can be duct leakage, a balancing problem or an undersized system.

Air Conditioning Service and Repair

When your air conditioner stops cooling, you need an answer fast. Our technicians arrive prepared to diagnose first and repair second, so you are never paying to replace parts you didn’t need. We repair all makes and models of residential and commercial air conditioning equipment.

A typical diagnostic visit includes:

Checking the thermostat settings, wiring and control signals
Testing capacitors, contactors, relays and electrical connections with a meter
Inspecting and testing the compressor and the outdoor and indoor fan motors
Measuring refrigerant pressures and temperatures to confirm the system is charged correctly
Inspecting the indoor and outdoor coils for dirt, damage and restricted airflow
Checking the condensate drain and pan for clogs or overflow
Measuring airflow and temperature drop across the coil to see how the system is actually performing

Once we know what is wrong, we explain it in plain language, tell you what the repair involves and what it costs, and let you decide. If a repair doesn’t make financial sense because the system is old, failing repeatedly or built on an obsolete refrigerant, we will tell you that too, and show you the replacement options. Emergency repair is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Air Conditioning Maintenance and Tune-Ups

Maintenance is the least expensive way to avoid an expensive breakdown. An air conditioner that has never been cleaned runs hotter, uses more electricity, and fails sooner. Most manufacturers also expect regular maintenance to keep their warranty coverage in place, so a record of service can save you money later.

Our tune-up covers the work that actually extends equipment life:

Replacing or cleaning the air filter and checking the filter size and rating
Cleaning the outdoor condenser coil and inspecting the indoor evaporator coil
Flushing the condensate drain and checking the drain pan and safety switch
Tightening electrical connections and testing capacitors, contactors and motors
Lubricating motors and checking fan blades and belts where applicable
Verifying refrigerant charge, temperature split and airflow
Testing the thermostat and the full cooling cycle from start to finish

The best time for a cooling tune-up is spring, before the first hot week, when technicians have more time and you have not yet found out the hard way that something is wrong. Ask us about seasonal maintenance offers when you call, and see our current specials.

Air Conditioning Replacement

Replacing an air conditioner is a big decision, and you should not be rushed into it. We offer free estimates on complete system replacement, with no high-pressure sales tactics and no equipment you don’t need. These are the factors we weigh with you:

Age. Central air conditioners commonly last 12 to 15 years in our climate, and sometimes longer with regular maintenance. Past that point, repair costs and failure risk rise.
Repair history. If the system has needed several repairs in a short time, the next one is rarely the last.
Refrigerant. Older systems that use R-22 refrigerant are expensive to repair because that refrigerant is no longer produced. New systems use current refrigerants.
Efficiency. Modern equipment is rated by SEER2, and a newer system can use meaningfully less electricity than one installed fifteen years ago.
Comfort. Uneven temperatures, constant humidity problems and noise are signs the equipment, the ductwork or both no longer match your home.

The most important step in a replacement is sizing the system correctly. An oversized unit cools the air too quickly, shuts off before it removes humidity, and wears out early. An undersized unit runs constantly and never catches up. We evaluate the size of your home, insulation, windows, orientation and ductwork rather than just matching the old unit’s tonnage. We also look at whether your indoor coil, thermostat and ductwork are compatible with the new equipment so that the whole system performs as rated.

Air Conditioning Installation

A great air conditioner installed poorly will perform like a mediocre one. Installation quality has as much effect on comfort, efficiency and lifespan as the equipment itself. Whether you are replacing an existing system, building a new home or adding cooling to an addition, our installations are clean, code-compliant and backed by a 10-year parts and labor warranty on new installations.

A complete installation includes:

Reviewing your home and ductwork before the equipment is selected
Setting the outdoor unit on a level, stable pad with proper clearance for airflow
Installing or matching the indoor coil and connecting a properly sized refrigerant line set
Evacuating and charging the system to the manufacturer’s specifications
Running and sloping the condensate drain correctly, with a safety switch where needed
Making safe electrical connections and installing a compatible thermostat
Testing the system, walking you through the controls, and cleaning up when we are done

A straightforward replacement is often completed in a single day. Projects that involve changing ductwork, adding zones or running new electrical take longer, and we will tell you the schedule before we start. Permit requirements vary by city and county, and we take care of them as part of the job.

What to expect when you call Heavenly Air

Calling a repair company shouldn’t feel like a gamble. This is what working with us looks like from the first call.

You call, any time of dayA person answers, takes down what your system is doing, and schedules a technician. Emergency calls go to the front of the line.
A technician diagnoses the problemWe test the system rather than guess. You get a clear explanation of what failed and why.
You get options before any work startsWe explain what the repair involves and what it costs, and where relevant show you a replacement option so you can compare.
We make the repair or complete the installationWork is done to code and the work area is left clean.
We test and walk you through itBefore we leave we confirm the system is cooling properly and answer your questions.

What affects the cost of air conditioning repair and replacement

We don’t believe in vague numbers, and every home is different, so we give written estimates after we have seen your system. These are the factors that move the price most:

Size and capacity. Larger homes need larger systems, and tonnage affects equipment cost.
Efficiency level. Higher SEER2 ratings cost more up front and use less energy every month.
Single-stage, two-stage or variable-speed. Staged and variable equipment cools more evenly and manages humidity better, at a higher price.
Ductwork condition. Leaky or undersized ducts can cancel out the benefit of new equipment, so repairs or modifications are sometimes part of the right answer.
Installation access. Attics, crawl spaces and tight mechanical closets add labor.
Electrical and thermostat needs. Older homes sometimes need updated wiring, disconnects or controls.

Free estimates are available on complete system replacement, and multiple financing options are available for both residential and commercial projects. See financing options.

Air Conditioning questions, answered

How often should I have my air conditioner serviced?

Once a year, ideally in spring before the cooling season starts. Systems that run hard, such as in larger homes or businesses, or that have pets or dusty conditions around them, can benefit from a second visit. Regular service finds worn parts before they fail and helps keep manufacturer warranty coverage valid.

How long does a central air conditioner last?

Most last about 12 to 15 years in the Southeast, and some last longer when they are maintained regularly. Heavy use, skipped maintenance and poor installation shorten that range.

Why is my air conditioner freezing up?

Ice on the indoor coil or refrigerant line is almost always caused by restricted airflow (a dirty filter, a failing blower, closed vents) or by low refrigerant from a leak. Turn the system off, let the ice melt, and call for service. Running a frozen system can damage the compressor.

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling?

Common causes include a failed capacitor or fan motor in the outdoor unit, low refrigerant, a frozen coil, a dirty condenser coil or a failing compressor. A technician can test each of these quickly. If the outdoor fan is not spinning, shut the system off to avoid damage.

What size air conditioner does my home need?

There is no rule that works for every house. The right size depends on square footage, insulation, window area and orientation, ceiling height, the ductwork and how many people use the space. Oversizing is as harmful as undersizing, so we size the system for your home instead of copying the old unit.

Should I repair or replace my air conditioner?

Consider replacement when the system is past 12 to 15 years old, has needed repeated repairs, uses R-22 refrigerant, or is costing noticeably more to run. If the system is newer and the repair is modest, repairing it usually makes sense. We will give you an honest recommendation either way.

What temperature should I set my thermostat to in summer?

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 78 degrees when you are home and a higher setting when you are away. Every degree higher saves energy, but comfort matters too, so find the highest setting you can live with and avoid setting it far below the target, because that doesn’t cool the house faster.

How long does a new air conditioner installation take?

A straightforward replacement is often finished in one day. If your project involves new or modified ductwork, new electrical work or additional zones, it can take longer. We will give you a schedule before work begins.

Do you offer emergency air conditioning repair?

Yes. Heavenly Air technicians are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, for emergency repair in the areas we serve.

Do you service commercial air conditioning?

Yes. We handle residential and commercial systems. See our commercial HVAC page for details.

Where we provide Air Conditioning service

Our technicians work out of Lebanon and cover Nashville and the surrounding counties. Choose your city to see local details:

Nashville, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Franklin, Mount Juliet, Lebanon, Hermitage, Antioch, La Vergne, Nolensville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna.

Local air conditioning pages

We have written a page for each of these services in our busiest areas, with the local detail that matters:

Related: Heating services · Commercial HVAC · Financing · Current specials

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