Inside Your AC Unit - What We Look For During a Diagnostic

Most homeowners never see the inside of their AC unit. And honestly, that's fine. That's what we're here for. But when your system starts acting up, this is exactly where we go first.

The contactor is one of the hardest-working components in your entire system. It's a relay switch that closes and opens every time your AC kicks on and off. Over time, the contact points pit, corrode, and burn out. When that happens, your system either won't start, short-cycles, or runs non-stop without actually cooling your home. The oxidation and pitting visible on the contact points here is a textbook example of a contactor that's been working overtime.

This is the kind of thing that gets missed when someone just glances at the outside of a unit and calls it good. A real diagnostic means opening the panel, checking every terminal connection, inspecting the contactor for wear, and making sure nothing is loose or heat-damaged. In the Vista area, with summer heat pushing systems hard day after day, worn contactors are one of the most common reasons we get called out for a "no cool" situation.

We document what we find so you understand exactly what's going on with your system - no guesswork, no vague explanations. If something needs attention, we show you why. That's just how we operate at Coastal Breeze Heating and Air Conditioning.