It's 4 PM on a Saturday in July. The temperature outside is 104°F. And your air conditioner just stopped working.

This is not a situation to wait out. In Texas summer heat, indoor temperatures can become dangerous within hours — especially for elderly family members, young children, or pets. Here's exactly what to do.

Step 1: Check the Basics First

Before calling for service, run through this quick checklist. These simple issues account for a surprising number of "broken AC" calls:

Check Your Thermostat

• Is it set to COOL (not HEAT or FAN ONLY)?
• Is the temperature set lower than the current room temperature?
• Are the batteries dead? Replace them and try again.
• Did someone accidentally change the settings?

Check Your Circuit Breakers

Go to your electrical panel and look for any tripped breakers. A tripped breaker will be in the middle position — not fully on or fully off. Reset it by switching it fully off, then back on. If it trips again immediately, stop and call us — there's an underlying electrical issue.

Check Your Air Filter

A severely clogged air filter can cause your system to freeze up and stop cooling. Turn the system off, locate the filter (usually at the return air grille or in the air handler), and check its condition. If it's completely blocked with dust, replace it and give the system 2–3 hours to thaw before restarting.

Check the Outdoor Unit

Go outside and look at your condenser unit. Is it running? Is the fan spinning? Is there ice on the refrigerant lines? If the unit is completely off and the breaker is fine, the issue may be a tripped high-pressure switch or a failed capacitor — both require a technician.

Step 2: Protect Your Family While You Wait

If your AC is truly down and you're waiting for a technician, take these steps to manage the heat:

• Close blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows to block radiant heat
• Move to the lowest floor — heat rises, so lower floors stay cooler
• Use fans to create airflow, but remember fans cool people, not rooms
• Minimize heat sources — avoid cooking, running the dishwasher, or using the dryer
• Stay hydrated and watch for signs of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness)
• Consider a cooling center — many Texas communities open public cooling centers during extreme heat events

If anyone in your home is showing signs of heat stroke (hot, dry skin; confusion; loss of consciousness), call 911 immediately.

Step 3: Call a Licensed HVAC Technician

Some AC problems can be diagnosed and fixed quickly. Others require parts. Here's a rough guide:

Often same-day fixes:

• Failed capacitor (very common, usually under $200)
• Tripped safety switch
• Refrigerant leak (if refrigerant is in stock)
• Clogged condensate drain

May require parts:

• Failed compressor
• Failed condenser fan motor
• Failed control board

When you call, be ready to tell the technician:

• The brand and approximate age of your system
• What it's doing (or not doing)
• What you've already checked

Common Causes of AC Failure in Texas

After decades of service in the Hill Country, here are the most common reasons we see AC systems fail in summer:

Capacitor failure is the #1 cause of summer breakdowns. Capacitors help start and run the compressor and fan motors. Texas heat accelerates their degradation, and they often fail during the hottest part of the year — right when you need them most.

Low refrigerant from a slow leak causes the system to lose cooling capacity gradually, then stop cooling altogether. Signs include ice on the refrigerant lines and warm air from the vents.

Dirty condenser coil causes the system to overheat and shut down on the high-pressure safety switch. Annual cleaning prevents this.

Failed contactor prevents the outdoor unit from receiving power even when the thermostat calls for cooling.

We Offer Same-Day Service in Lampasas and the Hill Country

Cory Butts Electric & AC LLC understands that a broken AC in Texas summer is an emergency. We offer same-day service for most calls and stock the most common repair parts on our trucks.

Call or text us at 512-556-6818 — we'll get you taken care of.