After a PG&E shutoff our AC came back on but won't cool. What happened?

Often a start part failed during the restart, usually the run capacitor, or the control board locked out on a fault. Sometimes the outdoor unit is running with a dead fan. We test each part, and if the compressor itself took damage, you get the repair and replacement numbers side by side.

Can our heat pump run on a backup generator?

That depends on the generator and on the heat pump's starting current. We measure the starting draw at the condenser, and a hard-start kit can bring it down. Those numbers tell whoever sized your backup whether it can carry the load.

Is a ranch property on a gravel road toward Skyline in your service area?

Yes, all of 94028 is. Tell us about gates and where the outdoor unit sits when you book, so our technician arrives ready for a long carry with the tools and recovery equipment. ADRIUM holds EPA Section 608 Universal certification for the refrigerant work.

AC REPAIR · PORTOLA VALLEY

AC Repair · Portola Valley, CA

AC and heat pump repair for Portola Valley homes on wooded acreage, where power shutoffs test every restart.

$99 diagnostic (credited toward the repair)
Same or next-day best effort
CSLB #1136642

Call (925) 999-4095

AC Repair in Portola Valley

AC Repair in Portola Valley.

Portola Valley is one ZIP, 94028, and almost all of it is houses spaced out along private roads. Custom homes sit on wooded acreage off Alpine Road and Portola Road, mid-century modern houses cluster in the pockets near Ladera, and ranch properties spread out toward Skyline. Outdoor equipment on those lots can sit a long way from the driveway, on a pad among oaks and redwoods.

PG&E public safety shutoffs on the outer roads shape the work as much as the weather does. A system that restarts badly after a long outage can trip a breaker, lock out a control board, or leave a compressor straining on a weak capacitor. More owners now pair a heat pump with a battery or generator plan for that reason. We diagnose first, and the $99 diagnostic is credited toward the repair.

Common repairs we handle.

System locked out after a power shutoff. When power comes back after a shutoff, voltage can sag and spike, and a compressor may try to restart against high pressure. Some systems lock out on an error, others trip the breaker or burn a capacitor. We read the fault history, reset the system properly and test the start components under load.
Heat pump that faults on backup power. A heat pump that runs fine on the grid but faults on backup is often seeing low voltage or a starting current the backup cannot carry. We measure the starting draw and talk through a hard-start kit that brings it down.
Long line set on a custom home losing charge. A condenser placed well away from the house runs a long line set, and a slow leak anywhere along it drains the charge. We pressure-test the lines with nitrogen, find the leak and weigh the charge to the manufacturer's spec for that line length.
Redwood needles and oak leaves in the condenser coil. Needles and leaves mat into the fins and fill the base pan, and a clogged coil drives head pressure up until the compressor trips on heat. We clean the coil, clear the pan and check the fan motor.

Pricing and warranty

What it costs. What we stand behind.

$99

Diagnostic visit. Credited toward the repair.
1 yr

Parts and labor warranty on completed repairs. In writing before we start.
CSLB

#1136642. Bonded and insured. We file warranty paperwork when applicable.

Nearby cities

AC Repair in neighboring cities.

More cities

AC Repair across our service area.

FAQ

AC Repair in Portola Valley questions, answered.

After a PG&E shutoff our AC came back on but won't cool. What happened?

Often a start part failed during the restart, usually the run capacitor, or the control board locked out on a fault. Sometimes the outdoor unit is running with a dead fan. We test each part, and if the compressor itself took damage, you get the repair and replacement numbers side by side.
Can our heat pump run on a backup generator?

That depends on the generator and on the heat pump's starting current. We measure the starting draw at the condenser, and a hard-start kit can bring it down. Those numbers tell whoever sized your backup whether it can carry the load.
Is a ranch property on a gravel road toward Skyline in your service area?

Yes, all of 94028 is. Tell us about gates and where the outdoor unit sits when you book, so our technician arrives ready for a long carry with the tools and recovery equipment. ADRIUM holds EPA Section 608 Universal certification for the refrigerant work.

Pricing HVAC repair starts with a $99 diagnostic, credited toward the approved repair, which makes the service call $0 with a completed repair. Considering a new HVAC system? The in-home estimate visit is free.

Credentials Owner-operated by Andrew · CSLB #1136642 · EPA #1279674151528 · BBB A+ · Repairs carry a 1-year warranty; new-system coverage: 10 years manufacturer parts + 2 years labor. Warranty and callback details →

Need ac repair in Portola Valley?

Tell us what is broken. We will quote it.