First sticky week of July, the thermostat set to 72, and the house at 79 and climbing while the fan in the attic runs and runs. Before you assume the compressor is gone, walk outside and look at the condenser. Whether it is humming, silent or iced over tells a technician most of what he needs to know.
Long Island AC repair prices, part by part
All Island Comfort, based in Wading River and working in both counties, posts its repair prices with parts and labor included.
| Repair | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitor | $200 to $300 | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
| Contactor | $200 to $350 | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
| Float switch | $150 to $250 | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
| Condensate pump | $300 to $450 | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
| Refrigerant top-up | $200 to $500, by type and amount | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
| Condenser fan motor | $400 to $700 | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
| TXV valve | $400 to $700 | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
| Compressor replacement | $1,500 to $3,500 | All Island Comfort (Oct 2026) |
The diagnostic fee is flat and given over the phone, they say. Ask any company for that number before the visit.
If the bill includes a refrigerant top-up, ask whether the technician found the leak or only added refrigerant. All Island Comfort treats low or empty refrigerant as a sign of a leak.
Reading the symptoms
All Island Comfort sorts the calls it gets by what the homeowner sees.
| What you see | Likely causes they list |
|---|---|
| System will not start at all | Tripped breaker, dead thermostat batteries, failed transformer, float switch tripped by a condensate overflow |
| Indoor blower runs, outdoor unit silent | Failed capacitor (the most common), failed contactor, locked compressor |
| Warm air from the vents | Low refrigerant from a leak, compressor not pumping, stuck reversing valve, failing TXV |
| Ice on the indoor coil | Low refrigerant, restricted airflow, stuck TXV |
| Water dripping at the indoor unit | Clogged condensate drain, failed pump, cracked pan, restricted return airflow |
| Breaker trips when it starts | Shorted or locked compressor, weak capacitor, motor short |
| Buzzing | A capacitor near failure |
| Screeching | A blower bearing |
What you can safely do before the visit
These come from All Island Comfort’s checklist.
- Frozen coil: set the thermostat to OFF and the fan to ON so it thaws.
- Water leaking: turn the system off at the breaker, and put towels and a bucket under the leak.
- Blank thermostat: replace the batteries.
- Old filter: if it is more than 60 days old or badly clogged, replace it.
- Float switch tripped: emptying the pan under the air handler resets it.
- Breaker keeps tripping: stop resetting it. Repeated current spikes can damage the compressor.
Older systems that run on R-22
If your outdoor unit was made before 2010, it may run on R-22, often called Freon. The EPA says that since 2020, only recycled, reclaimed or previously produced R-22 can be used to service existing equipment. It does not require you to replace or convert the system.
The same EPA page warns about conversions. Switching to another refrigerant is only allowed with one the EPA has approved for that use, and it will not work well without changes to system parts. Propane and other unapproved refrigerants are unsafe in home systems because they are flammable. Anyone who handles refrigerant must be EPA certified, which technicians call Section 608 certification. Ask to see the card.
Salt air and shore houses
Service Experts in Hampton Bays lists corrosion and wear from salt air and moisture among the AC problems it sees on the East End. All Island Comfort recommends asking about more frequent outdoor coil rinses for equipment near the shore. If you live south of Montauk Highway or on the bays, ask about it at every tune-up.
Repair, replace, or switch to a heat pump
All Island Comfort says that once a compressor fails, the $1,500 to $3,500 replacement often makes a whole new system the better option. If you go that way, get a heat pump price at the same time. It cools like central air, it also heats, and PSEG Long Island pays rebates on qualifying whole-house systems. The heat pump page covers the rules. For a single hot room, see ductless mini splits.
Service Experts in Hampton Bays lists its standard tune-up at $189, with a $79 promotional price from August 24 to October 31, 2026, which is less than most of the repairs in the table above.