Air Conditioning
AC Repair: Five Checks First, Then the Usual Fixes and What Each Costs
Check the thermostat, breakers, filter, drain switch and ice first. Most AC repairs are one of a few parts; here's what each costs.
SwiftPro Knows Best / Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning Articles
Honest air conditioning answers from the licensed pros serving Northern Virginia.
Air Conditioning
What Size AC Unit Do I Need? An Installer’s Answer, by House Size
Roughly a ton per 500 to 600 sq ft: 3 tons at 1,500, 4 at 2,000, 5 at 2,500. Why that's only a start,…
Air Conditioning
How Long Do AC Units Last? About 15 Years, and Here’s What Decides Yours
Most AC units last about 15 years, 15 to 20 with yearly care. What wears one out, the warning signs, repair or replace, and…
Air Conditioning
Thermostat Not Working, and How to Pick the Next One
Blank screen, no response, or the heat is on and the air is cold. What is actually the thermostat, what is not, and the…
Air Conditioning
What an AC Tune-Up Actually Includes, and Whether a Plan Is Worth It
What a real AC tune up measures and cleans, what "AC cleaning" means when it is real, and the plain math on a $199…
Air Conditioning
AC Died in a Heat Wave? The First Hour, Step by Step
The ten minute check that fixes a third of emergency AC calls, what actually counts as an emergency, how to get through the night,…
Air Conditioning
What AC Repairs Cost in Northern Virginia, Part by Part
Capacitor $240 to $370, blower motor $670 to $2,400, compressor $2,200 to $5,100. Real SwiftPro repair prices from sold jobs, what each symptom means,…
Air Conditioning
Which Way Should a Ceiling Fan Spin in Winter and Summer?
Counterclockwise in summer, clockwise on low in winter. Why, how to check yours, and the honest part: in which Northern Virginia rooms the winter…
Air Conditioning
Outside AC Unit Blowing Cold Air? Here’s What It Means (and When to Worry)
Your outdoor AC unit should blow warm air in summer. If the air on top is cold or room temperature, here's what's happening, what…
Air Conditioning
Repair vs Replace Your AC: 10 Ways to Know for Sure
By Tyler Griffin, Founder of SwiftPro · Updated June 2026 When your AC quits on a 95° Northern Virginia afternoon, the wrong call can…