Can I fix a leaking AC myself?

There are some common issues you can fix yourself, like replacing a dirty air filter or clearing a minor drain line clog. But for more complex problems, like refrigerant leaks, internal damage, or frozen coils, you’ll need professional help.

How much does it cost to fix an AC that is leaking water?

The AC fixing expenses depend a lot on the depth of the issue. Simple repairs, such as unclogging a drain line or replacing a filter, are budget-friendly; however, other complex issues, such as refrigerant leaks, coil repairs, or component replacement, can cost more. Hence, it is always advised to seek an early diagnosis, as fixing the problem early is far better than waiting for the issues to pile up into costly repairs.

Can a leaking AC increase my energy bills?

Yes, an AC leak points to underlying inefficiencies in its operation. Certain problems, such as clogged filters, frozen coils, or low refrigerant, force your system to work harder and use more energy for cooling. This results in higher energy bills over time. Therefore, it is important to fix AC leaks on time, as it helps protect your home from damage, restore energy efficiency, and reduce expenses.

Why Commercial AC Systems Fail First During Heatwaves

June 4, 2026

Why Commercial AC Systems Fail First During Heatwaves

Once a serious heatwave hits, your office space can easily go from comfortable to miserable before noon. The scene is chaotic, where the lobby feels sticky, desk fans are pointed in every direction, and phone calls to the property manager are non-stop. While the rooftop units are overworked, the air supply that comes from the vents is barely cool.

At this point, commercial AC repair becomes urgent because the first heavy cooling load unravels issues that were previously ignored. The reasons behind this are many, ranging from weak electrical parts and dirty coils to low refrigerant levels, neglected filters, and systems that can barely keep up. The first summer push is when all the hidden problems are finally exposed.

We’ll talk more about this in this blog!

Why Commercial AC Systems Break First When It Gets Hot

The commercial AC system runs longer, rejects more heat, and moves more air through the building, which is heating up faster than usual. However, the strain goes beyond outdoor temperatures. The dry air, high desert sun, rooftop exposure, parking lot heat, Truckee Meadows conditions, and dust all add to the heat stress. Here is a look at what happens inside the equipment.

The condenser coil works to dump indoor heat outside. But when the outdoor temperature increases, the coil works with a smaller temperature difference.
Things get worse when the coil is dirty, coated in dust, packed with cottonwood, or surrounded by rooftop debris.
When this happens, the heat is not released quickly enough, and the compressor keeps getting hotter.
This overworks the electrical components, and cooling performance eventually drops.
At that point, repairs become more expensive.

Did you know that a minor issue that started in April can quickly turn into a major problem by July? According to the Department of Energy, coils, filters, fins, and refrigerant lines need regular maintenance for efficient AC performance. Neglecting maintenance can increase energy consumption while lowering system performance. ENERGY STAR also says that dirty filters restrict airflow and force the system to work harder. Eventually, this can cause costly repairs or even complete system failure (Source).

When Your Commercial Cooling Starts Slipping, Call (775) 425-2525 Before the Whole Building Loses Comfort

The Real Mechanical Failures Behind Heatwave Breakdowns

Most of the AC failures start during the heatwaves with airflow, electrical issues, or heat rejection. Here, the airflow is a major problem because, despite having a healthy compressor, a working blower, and a good refrigerant, high duct pressure or plugged filters can cause the system to overwork. It is like trying to breathe through a tiny straw while sprinting uphill. The system ends up overworking and losing cooling capacity.

The electrical parts are another weak point. When the system cycles longer, the capacitor, fan motors, relays, and control board all take up more abuse. The results are obvious and evident. The capacitor tests weak, the contactor starts chattering, and the condenser fan slows down enough to increase head pressure. At first, the system may seem tired, but the main issue is often poor heat rejection.

The dirty condenser fan slows down the system’s ability to cool, thus making your AC work harder. This results in an increase in energy bills and shortens the life of the equipment, as stated by ENERGY STAR. For this, a quick five-minute diagnosis is never good enough. You need a professional commercial air conditioning repair that includes electrical measurements, temperature split readings, coil inspection, filter condition, refrigerant evaluation, blower operation, duct pressure checks, and economizer function if needed.

Why a Cheap Quick Fix Can Miss the Real Problem

Quick fixes can easily aggravate the issue instead of resolving it; for example, a weak capacitor can stop a unit. Replacing it can get the fan spinning again, but that does not resolve the problem in the long run.

Because you are simply throwing in a new capacitor back into the same high-stress condition where the condenser coil is still packed with debris, the filters are overloaded, and the blower is moving too little air. The result is an evaporator coil that gets too cold, reduced indoor comfort, and more strain on the compressor. Conclusively, replacement of a single part cannot rectify an entire system, especially if the unit is short-cycling because the controls, thermostat, and equipment size are wrong.

This is where most building owners lose the most money. A single professional diagnostic visit is far better than repeated emergency calls. Sometimes, they are misled into believing that the entire unit is dead when the real reason is a failed contractor, airflow restriction, loose wiring, or a dirty coil. While replacement is a smart move, it is not always the solution.

Need Straight Answers Before Approving a Major Repair? Call Ross Heating and Air Conditioning at (775) 425-2525

How Often Should Commercial Air Conditioning Units Be Serviced?

Commercial air conditioning units should be serviced twice a year. One service should be scheduled before the cooling season, while the other should take place before the heating season. However, restaurants, high-use buildings, medical facilities, dusty job sites, server rooms, and properties with rooftop package units often need quarterly servicing.

A regular commercial AC maintenance should include –

Maintenance Check	Why It Matters During Heatwaves
Filter inspection	Protects airflow and blower performance
Coil cleaning	Helps the unit reject heat outdoors
Electrical testing	Identifies weak capacitors, contactors, and motors early
Refrigerant evaluation	Checks if the heat is moving correctly through the system.
Inspection of the drain	Minimizes water damage and shutdown risk
Thermostat and controls check	Stops bad cycling and comfort swings

The U.S. Department of Energy states that businesses can save between 5% and 30% annually by following best operation and maintenance practices for commercial HVAC equipment. In a commercial building, maintenance can make the difference between a normal summer utility bill and a rooftop unit that becomes overworked during peak heat.

Repair or Replace – What Should a Business Owner Look At?

A commercial AC system should be repaired when the failure is isolated, the equipment is otherwise stable, and the repair cost makes sense compared to the remaining lifespan of the system. Replacement becomes smarter when the compressor is failing, coils are leaking badly, major parts are obsolete, energy use is climbing, and the building still cannot stay comfortable after repeated repairs.

You would think that a bigger new unit would solve every cooling problem. But it will not.

If the ductwork is restricted, the return airflow is too small, or the rooftop curb layout is incorrect, a larger unit can short-cycle and still leave parts of the building hot. A rushed replacement during a heatwave can lead to years of uneven cooling and higher operating costs.

A professional HVAC repair service can find problems that others may miss. They start by looking at the building first, instead of just the metal box on the roof. They ask relevant questions –

How much afternoon sunlight hits the building through the glass?
Are your tenants blocking the vents?
Are the filters being changed regularly?
Is the economizer stuck open and bringing hot air into the system?
Is the thermostat reading the correct area?

The right decision usually comes from proper testing and measurements.

Warning Signs Your Commercial Cooling System Is Close to Failing

A failing AC system usually shows warning signs before it breaks down completely. These signs include longer run times, strange clicking noises, warmer air from the vents, louder rooftop units, uneven cooling complaints from tenants, and repeated breaker trips.

Warning Sign	What It May Point To
Warm air from vents	Low charge, dirty coils, compressor issue, airflow restriction
Short cycling	Oversizing, dirty coils, control issue, pressure problem
Hot rooms near windows	Load problem, duct imbalance, poor zoning
Loud buzzing or clicking	Contactor, capacitor, relay, or compressor stress
Rising power bills	Longer runtime, dirty coils, failing motor, poor controls

You should act quickly once you notice any of these signs. AC emergencies during a heatwave are difficult to schedule and can disrupt your business operations.

Your Questions About Commercial AC Failure During Heatwaves

Why does my commercial AC run but not cool the building?

A commercial AC will run without efficient cooling because the airflow is restricted, the refrigerant charge is low, the condenser coils are dirty, and the compressor is not working properly. The controls are incorrectly cycling the system.

As the system has to remove the heat nonstop, these problems become more obvious, especially during a heatwave. A professional works by checking the temperature split, coil condition, electrical draw, refrigerant behavior, and duct pressure before recommending any replacement or repairs.

Is commercial AC maintenance worth it for a small business?

Absolutely, because it helps minimize downtime, helps control energy use, and protects comfort. For most small business owners, a single rooftop failure during peak summer months can result in unhappy customers, spoiled inventory, and tenant complaints.

While the maintenance does not make the equipment last forever, it offers better information about the system. Now, you can decide on the emergency work and when to do it.

When should I replace or repair an old commercial AC unit?

You need to repair your commercial AC unit if the failure is limited, the energy costs are still reasonable, the parts are easily available, and the system is able to cope with the growing load even after repair.

Likewise, your system needs a replacement when major components fail, the unit is poorly sized, refrigerant leaks keep coming back, or repair costs continue to add up. To know for sure, you should schedule a full diagnostic inspection that compares repair costs, system condition, and overall building comfort.

To Replace or Repair Your Commercial AC Unit – Call (775) 425-2525

Takeaway

Commercial AC systems often break down during heatwaves because the extreme heat exposes weak airflow, dirty coils, damaged electrical parts, bad controls, neglected maintenance, and low refrigerant levels. You should never wait for the problem to get worse. All you need to do is schedule a professional inspection to find out if repair or replacement is the better option.

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Book Commercial & Residential AC Repair in Reno With Ross Heating and Air Conditioning

Do not simply get a replacement done in a rush when the system starts to fail during a Reno heatwave. You need a reputable partner like Ross Heating and Air Conditioning that offers professional commercial and residential AC repairs in Reno, along with parts-level diagnostics and clear explanations and recommendations before you decide on a repair or a replacement. We offer 24/7 emergency commercial HVAC service in Reno and energy-efficient solutions to our customers.

With over 15+ years of experience, our team at Ross Heating and Air Conditioning is well-trained to understand the rooftop equipment stress, airflow restrictions, high-desert dust, and the pressure that the property owners are under when the tenants are not comfortable.

It is time to face the heatwave with complete preparation. Call Ross Heating and Air Conditioning at (775) 425-2525 for a commercial air conditioning repair in Reno, Sparks, and Truckee Meadows.