Symptom guide
AC Not Cooling in Shreveport or Bossier City: What to Check
Start with the filter, the thermostat, the breaker and the drain pan: they are the common causes that cost nothing to check. If those are fine, the table below matches the symptom to the likely repair, from a $100 to $250 capacitor to a $600 to $2,500 compressor (national ranges, read November 11, 2026).
Published November 11, 2026 · Figures and rules checked against the sources listed at the end of this page.
Burning smell, smoke or sparks: switch the system off at the breaker and leave it off. If anything is on fire, leave the house and call 911.
Four checks before you call anyone
- Thermostat. Set to COOL, fan on AUTO, set point below room temperature, fresh batteries.
- Filter. A clogged filter starves the coil of air and can freeze it. Replace it if you cannot see light through it.
- Breakers. Reset a tripped air conditioner or air handler breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off. Do not reset it if you smell burning.
- Drain pan. Look under the indoor unit. Standing water in the pan trips a float switch that stops the system.
Match the symptom to the likely repair
| What you see | Usual causes | Common repair and range |
|---|---|---|
| Runs but blows warm air | Dirty filter, outdoor unit not running, low refrigerant | Capacitor: $100 to $250 |
| Outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin | Failed capacitor or fan motor | Condenser fan motor: $200 to $700 |
| Ice on the copper line or indoor coil | Restricted airflow or low refrigerant | Leak repair: $200 to $1,500 |
| Water in the pan or on the floor | Clogged condensate drain | Drain line flush: $75 to $250 |
| Nothing happens at all | Thermostat, tripped breaker, float switch | Thermostat: $140 to $350 |
| Short cycles on and off | Dirty coil, failing control board, oversized unit | Circuit board: $150 to $700 |
Prices: HomeGuide 2026 national ranges, read November 11, 2026. The cause is confirmed only by a diagnostic visit ($75 to $200).
Cooling, but the house still feels damp
A system can hit the set temperature and leave the air sticky. That is a moisture problem more than a cooling one, and it has its own causes. The humidity and mold page covers what to ask a contractor.
When to stop troubleshooting
- Ice returns after a new filter and a full thaw.
- The breaker trips a second time.
- The outdoor unit is silent while the indoor fan runs.
- You hear hissing or see oily residue on the refrigerant lines.
Refrigerant work and electrical repairs are contractor jobs. Before anyone starts, check the license.
Sources and dates
Every figure and rule above names where it came from and the date it was read. If a source disagrees with a quote you receive, the quote wins: it reflects your house, your equipment and this week's demand. Prices are rechecked at least every six months.
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does AC Repair Cost? (2026)” — read November 11, 2026. National ranges, not Shreveport or Bossier City quotes
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home” — read November 11, 2026