Before you spend $14k on a new AC, get a second opinion.
Tell us what is going on, and add a bill, a photo, or your HVAC quote if you have them. We find whether the real problem is attic heat, leaky ducts, windows, insulation, or the AC itself, then rank the cheapest fixes first.
Takes about a minute. No spam.
- Human-reviewed
- Cheapest fix ranked first
- No referral fees on AC replacements
- We tell you when there is nothing to fix
You are not crazy. The problem may not be your AC.
Most uncomfortable homes have more than one cause, and the cheapest fix usually is not a new condenser.
Upstairs will not cool
A floor that always runs 6 to 10 degrees hotter than the thermostat.
AC runs all day
The compressor never seems to cycle off in the afternoon.
Electric bill exploded
Summer bills 30 to 60 percent higher than last year.
Contractor says replace the unit
A $10k+ quote, but no envelope diagnosis on file.
One room is always hot
Usually the bedroom over the garage or facing west.
A second opinion, not a sales pitch.
We diagnose first. Contractors come after that, only if the data says you need one.
- 1
Tell us what is wrong
A quick note: your email, where you live, and the comfort problem you are seeing.
- 2
Add a bill, quote, or photos
Optional but powerful. The more we see, the sharper the diagnosis.
- 3
We build a quick home profile
We combine your inputs with climate, construction era, and orientation.
- 4
Fixes ranked by cost per degree
Cheapest high-confidence fixes first. A new AC last, if at all.
- 5
Trusted installers, only if you want them
Optional intros to vetted contractors with a clear scope of work.
Ranked fixes, cheapest first.
A real homeowner with a hot upstairs and a $14k HVAC quote saw this priority list, based on their inputs, before any replacement.
Seal attic penetrations and top up insulation
Plenum boxes, recessed lights, and the top plates are leaking conditioned air into a 130 degree attic. Pair air sealing with R-49 insulation top-up.
- Est. cost
- $1,500 to $3,800
- Comfort impact
- High
- Bill impact
- Medium to high
Seal and repair ducts in the attic
Branch take-offs at the trunk are common leak points. Mastic at every connection, then re-test static pressure.
- Est. cost
- $900 to $2,400
- Comfort impact
- High
- Bill impact
- Medium
Exterior shade or film on west-facing windows
The hot room is on the west side. Shade screens or low-e film cut afternoon solar gain by 50 to 70 percent.
- Est. cost
- $500 to $2,500
- Comfort impact
- High
- Bill impact
- Low to medium
Consider an AC replacement only after envelope issues are ruled out
Right-size with Manual J after the duct and envelope work. Bigger is not better, because an oversized AC short-cycles and worsens humidity.
Do not approve a replacement quote that skips a load calc and a duct inspection.
We get paid to be right, not to sell you a new AC.
We rank fixes by cost per degree cooler, with a confidence score on each. If the cheapest, highest-confidence fix is doing nothing, we tell you that too.
We get paid to be right, not to sell you a new AC.
We earn your trust by leading with the cheapest high-confidence fix, even when that means we never refer you to a contractor at all.
Built on building science
Our framework combines envelope, ducts, glazing, and HVAC physics instead of vendor talking points.
Reviewed by a person while in beta
A member of our team checks every report before it reaches you. No black box outputs.
Contractor-ready scopes
If a fix needs an installer, we hand you a clear scope so quotes stay easy to compare.
Before and after verification planned
We are building comfort and bill verification so we can prove what worked after adjusting for weather.
We hand you pre-diagnosed cooling retrofit jobs with a structured scope for insulation, duct sealing, shading, or HVAC when it is actually warranted.
Ready for a second opinion?
Start with a quick request. We do the rest.
Takes about a minute. No spam.