AC Blowing Hot Air? We Can Help
AC Repair in the Bay Area, San Francisco, CA
When a heatwave hits the East Bay, a broken air conditioner isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s an emergency. At Airstars HVAC, we understand that you cannot wait days for cool air. We provide same-day AC repair services to homeowners in Hayward, Fremont, Union City, San Leandro, and the surrounding communities.
Our trucks are fully stocked “warehouses on wheels,” carrying the most common parts for all major brands.
We Repair All Cooling Systems:
- Central Air Conditioning Units
- Ductless Mini-Splits
- Heat Pumps
- Thermostats & Zoning Systems
7 Signs Your AC Needs Professional Repair
Ignoring a small noise or a minor leak can lead to catastrophic compressor failure. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases.
If you notice any of these symptoms, call us immediately:
1. Blowing Warm Air
If your thermostat is set to “Cool” but the vents are pushing out room-temperature air, you likely have a compressor issue or low refrigerant levels. This requires immediate professional attention to prevent the compressor from overheating.
2. Weak Airflow
Poor air circulation often indicates a clogged air filter, a failing blower motor, or blockage in your ductwork. Weak airflow forces your system to work twice as hard to cool your home, driving up your PG&E bill.
3. Loud or Strange Noises
Your AC should be relatively quiet.
- Squealing: loose belt or motor bearing failure.
- Grinding/Metal-on-Metal: dangerous internal damage.
- Hissing: a serious refrigerant leak.
4. Frequent Cycling (Short-Cycling)
Does your AC turn on, run for 5 minutes, and turn off again? This is called “short-cycling.” It puts immense stress on the electrical components and is often caused by an oversized unit, a frozen coil, or a thermostat calibration error.
5. Water Leaks & Moisture
Pooling water near your indoor unit is never normal. It usually signals a clogged condensate drain line or a frozen evaporator coil that is melting. If ignored, this can cause water damage to your floors and ceilings or lead to mold growth.
6. Frozen Evaporator Coils
If you see ice on your outdoor unit or indoor piping, your system is not absorbing heat properly. This is often due to dirty air filters blocking airflow or low refrigerant. Do not try to chip the ice off! Turn the system off and call a professional.
7. Bad Odors
Burning smell: electrical wiring issues. Turn the system off immediately.
Musty/Moldy smell: likely mold growth inside the ductwork or on the coils.
Our Transparent Repair Process
We believe in honest, upfront service. You will never be hit with a surprise bill.
The Guarantee: We back our repairs with a satisfaction guarantee. If the part we fixed fails again, we come back and make it right.
The $69 Diagnostic: We start with a comprehensive system check to pinpoint the exact root cause of the failure. We check refrigerant pressures, voltage readings, and safety controls.
Flat-Rate Pricing: Once we find the issue, we show you the problem and give you a flat price to fix it. The price doesn’t change, even if the repair takes longer than expected.
Expert Repair: Our technicians are NATE-certified (North American Technician Excellence), ensuring your repair is done safely and according to manufacturer specifications.
Refrigerant (Freon) Leaks
Many older AC units in the Bay Area still use R-22 refrigerant (“Freon”), while newer ones use R-410A.
If your system is low on refrigerant, it has a leak. Refrigerant does not evaporate; it is a closed loop. Simply “topping it off” is a waste of money and harmful to the environment.
At Airstars, we follow strict EPA Section 608 Regulations. We use electronic leak detectors to find the source of the leak, repair the hole, and then recharge the system to factory specifications. This ensures your system runs efficiently and legally.
Our Achievements
Don’t Sweat Through Another Night in Hayward, Fremont, and the East Bay. Call Airstars
Join the hundreds of 5-star satisfied customers in the Bay Area who trust Airstars for their HVAC needs.
- Hayward
- Fremont
- San Leandro
- Union City
- Oakland
- And Surrounding Areas
What Our Clients Say About Us
★★★★★
I had problems with my heater not starting I call 5 companies and Airstars was the first to respond I make appointment for the same day and the technician came with parts same day and fix the heater good quality service, thank you
Miguel B.
★★★★★
I have nothing but the highest praise for Juan. He was diligent, knowledgeable, friendly, polite, shared some great info. I had initially hired Airstars to just replace a thermostat in an old oven but ended up purchasing a completely new one. No regrets. They made it painless. Will 100% hire them again for whatever appliance needs.
EM S.
★★★★★
Rafael and team have been very responsive, thorough, and accommodating to ensure my HVAC and ductwork are back in better shape than ever. They took pictures and explained everything to me to ensure I knew every step and the extra effort they put in to create a great customer experience!
Dustin S.
Frequently Asked Questions About AC Repair
How much does AC repair cost in Hayward, CA? Repair costs vary based on the severity of the issue. A simple capacitor replacement or hard start kit is very affordable, while a compressor replacement is a major investment. We always start with a $69 diagnostic so you know exactly what is wrong before spending significant money.
Should I repair or replace my AC unit? We follow the “50% Rule”: If your unit is over 10 years old and the cost of repair is more than 50% of the cost of a new system, it is financially smarter to replace it. However, our priority is always to repair your system if it is safe and cost-effective to do so.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency service? Yes. We know AC units rarely break during business hours. We have technicians on call nights and weekends to serve Hayward, Fremont, and the surrounding East Bay area.
Why is my AC running but not cooling? This is the most common call we get. It is usually a dirty condenser coil, a bad capacitor preventing the compressor from starting, or low refrigerant. Check your air filter first—if it’s dirty, change it. If that doesn’t fix it, call us.