AC Repair in Charleston, SC
Certified and Licensed | SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694 | Right-sized, high-efficiency systems | Financing available | Serving the coast since 1947
Call 843-305-5728 to get a free quote!
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843-305-5728
- Short Answer: The usual causes are low refrigerant from a leak, a dirty or salt-corroded coil, a failing compressor, or a frozen coil. In Charleston the long humid summer and harbor salt push systems hard, so corroded coils, worn capacitors, and tired compressors are common reasons a unit runs without cooling.
Refrigerant does not get used up, so if it is low there is a leak to find and fix, not just top off. A salt-touched coil cannot shed heat well, and a frozen coil leaves you with air moving but no cool. We check the simple, less expensive causes first and show you what we find before recommending anything bigger, because we would rather fix it right the first time than have you call us back next week.
When the AC quits in the Charleston heat, we get you cool again. From our North Charleston office, Coastal Air Plus repairs central air, heat pumps, and ductless systems across the peninsula, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, and Daniel Island. We know the historic-district equipment rules and the harbor salt that wears systems out fast. We diagnose, explain your options, and get your okay before any work. Call (843) 723-3887.
Call 843-305-5728
Certified and Licensed | SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694
- Short Answer: Most AC repairs in the Charleston area run about $150 to $600 after a service call to diagnose the problem. Bigger jobs like a refrigerant leak repair, compressor, or coil cost more. We give you the estimate before we start, so there are no surprises.
Typical area ranges to help you plan, not a quote. Your exact price depends on the part and your system, and we confirm it after we diagnose the unit.
If a repair climbs toward the cost of a new system, we will say so honestly, and financing is available through our financing options.
Certified and Licensed | SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694
- Short Answer: Often, yes. Much of Charleston floods on king tides and in storms, and the City of Charleston sets the rules: new construction in a flood zone must sit 2 feet above base flood elevation (1 foot for a residential substantial improvement). Outdoor equipment should be raised above expected flood too.
Charleston floods on sunny-day high tides, not just in hurricanes, so a ground-level condenser in a low spot is at real risk. The City of Charleston is the permitting authority here, not a county office, and its Design Flood Elevation is base flood elevation plus freeboard, which is 2 feet above base flood for new construction. We can raise or relocate a condenser to get it above expected flood and, in a historic district, reconcile that with the screening rules. For unincorporated pockets the City of Charleston floodplain standards give the framework, and Charleston County handles areas outside the city. Treating folks right for the long term is how we have lasted on this coast since 1947.
Short Answer: Yes. When your AC goes out in the summer heat, we prioritize emergencies and work nights and weekends across the Charleston area. During peak season it can take a little longer, and we will be straight with you about timing when you call.
A hot house with kids, older family members, or pets is not something we ask you to sit on, and Charleston summers do not wait. We move emergencies to the front of the line and give you an honest window rather than a promise we cannot keep. Request service or call (843) 723-3887.
A few things to check before you call
- Set the thermostat to cool and check the batteries.
Make sure the AC breaker has not tripped.
Check the air filter. A clogged filter is a common, easy fix you can do yourself.
If those look fine and you are still warm, that is when to call us.
Do I need a permit to replace my AC, and what about the coast?
- Short Answer: Yes. A system replacement needs a mechanical permit, and the authority depends on your address (your city, or the county if unincorporated). Near the water, flood-zone rules may require the new equipment raised above the flood line, and coastal salt means coastal-rated equipment is worth it.
We pull the mechanical permit for your replacement and have the work inspected, through whichever authority covers your address. On the barrier islands and along the marsh, FEMA flood rules can require the condenser raised on a stand above the expected flood line, and the steady salt air rewards corrosion-resistant, coastal-rated equipment that lasts longer near the ocean. Inland, salt is barely a factor and the focus is humidity and efficiency. We size the equipment and the install to where you actually live, which is the same block-by-block read we bring to every Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County job.
How much does AC repair cost in Charleston?
- Short Answer: Most AC repairs in the Charleston area run about $150 to $600 after a service call to diagnose the problem. Bigger jobs like a refrigerant leak repair, compressor, or coil cost more. We give you the estimate before we start, so there are no surprises.
Typical area ranges to help you plan, not a quote. Your exact price depends on the part and your system, and we confirm it after we diagnose the unit.
If a repair climbs toward the cost of a new system, we will say so honestly, and financing is available through our financing options.
Typical AC Repair Prices
Why Choose Coastal Air Plus?
- Serving South Carolina Since 1947 – Trusted by homeowners throughout Myrtle Beach and Charleston.
- Certified & Licensed Technicians – SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694.
- Flexible Financing Options – Convenient plans available for new HVAC Installations.
- Home Service Membership Plans – Regular maintenance to keep your system running smoothly.
- Highly Rated by Customers – Committed to quality service and customer satisfaction.
Should I repair or replace my AC?
- Short Answer: Repair a newer system with a small electrical fix. Replace when it is past 10 to 15 years, runs old R-22, the compressor has failed out of warranty, or a repair tops about half a new system. Near the Charleston harbor, salt corrosion can bring that replace point a bit sooner.
We are not better than the next company, just different, in that we would rather keep a sound system going than sell you one you do not need yet. When replacement is the smart move, our AC installation and replacement team sizes it to your home and, in a historic district, plans a placement that will pass review.
Where we work in Charleston
From our North Charleston office we cover the peninsula and the Old and Historic District, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, and Daniel Island. We also serve Mount Pleasant and North Charleston, with the wider region on our Charleston County service area page. For other needs, see furnace repair in Charleston and plumbing in Charleston.
We cover Charleston under ZIP codes 29401, 29403, 29407, 29412, 29414, 29455, and 29492, with our office in North Charleston at 29405.
