Short answers to common questions from San Diego homeowners about air conditioning and heating, drawn from public sources such as CSLB, the City of San Diego, ENERGY STAR, the EPA and NOAA. Each answer links to the guide that goes further.
Air Conditioning Repair San Diego is an independent referral service, not an air conditioning or HVAC company. Calls and form requests are passed to an independent local AC and HVAC contractor, who can contact you about your system; that contractor gives any quote and does any work.
How to use these answers
The answers are short on purpose. Where a rule matters, such as a permit, a license class or a payment caution, the answer names the agency it comes from, so you can check it yourself. Where a question depends on your house and your system, such as what a repair costs or whether to replace, the answer says what decides it and points to the guide that walks through it. No answer here is a quote or a diagnosis: those come from a contractor who has seen the system.
If your AC has stopped on a hot day, go straight to the checks in AC not cooling? What to check first. If you are planning ahead, the guides to AC maintenance, AC installation and AC replacement cover the bigger decisions, and the HVAC contractor guide covers who to hire.
Have a question about your own system? Call the number on this page or send the form, and an independent local AC contractor can contact you.
Questions people ask
Is this site an air conditioning company?
Air Conditioning Repair San Diego is an independent referral service, not an air conditioning or HVAC company. Calls and form requests are passed to an independent local AC and HVAC contractor, who can contact you about your system; that contractor gives any quote and does any work.
What happens when I call or send the form?
Your call or request goes to the site’s operator, who passes it to an independent local AC and HVAC contractor who can contact you. Asking is free and you never have to hire anyone. The contractor gives any quote and does any work.
Does it cost anything to ask?
No. Any price comes from the contractor after they have looked at the system, and you decide whether to go ahead.
Does this site cover car air conditioning?
No. This site is about home air conditioning. For a car’s AC, an auto repair shop is the place to ask.
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Check the thermostat mode and setting, the breaker, the filter, the condensate drain and the outdoor unit. If those are fine, a contractor needs to test the system. See AC not cooling.
How do I reset my air conditioner?
Turn it off at the thermostat, reset a tripped breaker once, and turn it back on. If the breaker trips again, leave it off and call.
How often should I change my AC filter?
ENERGY STAR says to inspect, clean or change it once a month. A dirty filter can raise energy costs and damage the equipment. See how often to change your AC filter.
How often should my AC be serviced?
ENERGY STAR recommends a yearly contractor check-up: the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. See AC maintenance.
Can I do AC maintenance myself?
The filter, a look at the drain and keeping the outdoor unit clear, yes. Coil cleaning, electrical checks and refrigerant work are for a contractor.
Can I add refrigerant myself?
No. Under EPA Section 608, technicians who maintain, service or repair equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants must be certified.
Is air conditioning common in San Diego?
It depends on where you live. NOAA puts the average August high at Lindbergh Field at 77.3 F, and inland areas often run warmer. See do you need AC in San Diego.
Does AC work need a permit in San Diego?
The City of San Diego says HVAC systems may not be installed, altered, replaced or repaired unless a mechanical permit has been obtained. Other cities run their own building departments.
What is ECC testing?
Independent testing under California’s Energy Code. CHEERS says a permit and independent ECC testing are required when making changes to a home’s HVAC system.
What license should an AC contractor have?
A CSLB license in the C-20 class, Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning. Look it up on cslb.ca.gov.
Can a handyperson do AC work?
Since January 1, 2025, unlicensed work is allowed on jobs under $1,000 with no hired workers and no permit. Anyone you hire for a job that needs a permit needs a contractor’s license.
How much should I pay up front?
CSLB cautions that a down payment should not exceed 10 percent of the contract price, and later payments should not run ahead of the work done or materials delivered.
How much does AC repair cost in San Diego?
This site prints no prices. A repair price depends on what has failed, which a contractor finds by testing the system. Ask for the price in writing before work starts.
Who pulls the permit, me or the contractor?
Homeowners, property owners and licensed contractors can all obtain a simple no-plan mechanical permit in the City of San Diego, on properties that are not historically designated. Agree with the contractor who pulls it before work starts.
Repair or replace?
Weigh repeat repairs, a system that cannot keep up and a failed major part, and ask for both prices. See repair or replace your AC.
Are there rebates for a new AC or heat pump?
Ask the contractor and SDG&E about current rebates or incentives. This site lists no amounts because programs change.
What should I do in a heat wave if the AC quits?
San Diego County lists air-conditioned Cool Zones you can use. If someone shows signs of heat stroke, call 911. See the San Diego heat wave guide.
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