Why is regular marine air conditioning refrigeration service important?

Marine AC units run on seawater in a harsh salt environment, so scale, growth and corrosion build up. Regular service of the seawater side, filters and electrics keeps them cooling well and helps prevent compressor failure and costly breakdowns.

What are common signs that my marine AC system needs service?

Reduced cooling, warm air output, unusual noises, icing on lines, or frequent system shutdowns are common indicators. These symptoms often point to poor seawater flow, dirty filters, a gas leak or failing components.

What does a marine AC refrigeration service include?

A routine service starts with the seawater side, which causes most marine AC problems: strainer, pump, through-hull and condenser coil, descaled if flow is poor. Then we check the air side (filters, evaporator coil, airflow), the electrics (capacitors, voltage, controls) and the temperature drop across the unit. Refrigerant work is done by an EPA 608 certified technician we work with or refer you to.

Can low refrigerant cause damage to my AC system?

Yes. Low refrigerant means there is a leak, and running short of charge cools poorly and overheats the compressor. The leak has to be found and repaired before the system is recharged; topping up alone just loses the gas again. That work is done by an EPA 608 certified technician we work with or refer you to.

How often should marine air conditioning refrigeration be serviced?

We recommend servicing marine AC refrigeration systems annually or before peak summer season. Boats operating year-round or in warmer climates may require more frequent inspections.

Do you service both self-contained and chilled water AC systems?

Yes. We service the seawater side, air side, electrics and controls of both self-contained units and chilled water systems, following the maker's specifications. Work on the refrigerant circuit goes to a specialist we work with or refer you to.

Can proper refrigeration service improve energy efficiency onboard?

Yes. A clean condenser coil, good seawater flow and clean filters let the system cool faster and draw less power, which also eases the load on the compressor.

A close-up of a digital marine thermostat display showing a cool temperature

A close-up of a digital marine thermostat display showing a cool temperature (2)

Marine Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Service

Don't let a broken AC ruin a day on the water. We work on boat AC and refrigeration: diagnosing cooling failures, descaling clogged seawater lines and fixing pumps, wiring, controls and thermostats. Work on the refrigerant itself is done by an EPA 608 certified technician we work with or refer you to.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Usually 1–2 hours

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members. The work of a visit is at least $150; the trip fee is on top.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (213) 693-0224 or submit a ticket

About this service

Total Climate Control

Stay Cool.
Keep It Fresh.

Heat and humidity are the enemies of comfort. We diagnose, repair and maintain marine air conditioning and refrigeration systems, from the seawater side to the electrics and controls, so your cabin can be an escape, not a sauna.

AC Diagnostics & Repair

Is your AC blowing warm air or tripping the breaker? We troubleshoot High Pressure (HI-PS) errors, water flow problems, and faulty control boards on Dometic, Cruisair, and Marine Air units.

Descaling & Flushing

Marine ACs rely on seawater flow. Over time, barnacles and scale clog the coils, causing the system to overheat. We flush the coils with a descaler such as "Barnacle Buster" to clear scale and growth and restore water flow.

Refrigeration & Ice

Warm beer and melted bait? For boat refrigeration, we service galley fridges, cockpit freezers, and ice makers (U-Line, Isotherm, Vitrifrigo). We fix thermostats, controls and wiring; replacing a compressor or recharging gas is done by an EPA 608 certified technician we work with or refer you to.

The Service Flow.

Identifying the root cause.

Water Flow Check

Most marine AC issues are water-related. With the seacock closed, we check the raw water strainer and the pump impeller, then check the flow through the through-hull.

Performance Check

We measure the temperature drop across the unit to see how well it is cooling. If it points to a gas leak, the leak search, repair and recharge are done by a specialist we work with or refer you to.

Electrical Audit

We test capacitors and voltage supply. A weak capacitor can prevent the compressor from starting, while low voltage at the dock can damage the motor.

Cleaning & Flush

We clean the air filters (evaporator) and flush the seawater coils (condenser) to restore heat transfer and cooling capacity.

Systems We Service.

From self-contained to chillers.

Self-contained marine air conditioning unit being serviced

Seawater circulation pump for marine air conditioning

Technical Specs.

Systems we work on.

System Types Self-contained & Chilled Water

Power 12V DC / 110V / 220V AC

Capacity 5k to 60k BTU Systems

Common Questions

Why does my AC code "HI-PS"?

HI-PS means "High Pressure." This is almost always caused by lack of water flow. Turn the AC off and close the seacock, then check your sea strainer for weeds or jellyfish, and open the seacock again before restarting. If it's clean, you likely need a system descaling.

Can you recharge my fridge?

Not ourselves. Marine fridges are sealed systems: if one needs gas, it has a leak that must be found and repaired before recharging, or the gas will just leak out again. That work needs an EPA 608 certified technician, so it is done by one we work with or refer you to; we can check the thermostat, controls and wiring first.

Keep Your Cabin Cool.

Schedule your AC service.

Fix My AC

Marine AC Repair Long Beach: Where We Start

Boat air conditioning repair almost always begins with water flow. A clogged raw water strainer, a worn pump impeller or scaled condenser coils are behind most High Pressure (HI-PS) shutdowns, so we check those first. From there, marine air conditioner repair moves to capacitors, voltage supply and controls, so the fix addresses the actual cause; if the gas side is at fault, a specialist we work with or refer you to takes over. We handle marine air conditioning repair on Dometic, Cruisair and Marine Air systems from 5k to 60k BTU.

Marine refrigeration repair follows the same logic: a fridge that needs gas has a leak, which must be found and sealed before recharging, and that work is done by a specialist we work with or refer you to. Regular marine AC maintenance, such as cleaning the evaporator air filters and flushing the seawater coils, helps systems keep cooling at full capacity. When you book marine air conditioning service, tell us the unit brand, any error code on the display and when the sea strainer was last cleaned.

Our team specializes in marine refrigerator repair for boats and yachts in Long Beach and San Pedro. We understand the importance of a functional refrigeration system, especially during extended voyages or when storing perishable items on board. Our experienced technicians are equipped to diagnose and fix issues with marine compressors, condensers, evaporators, and other critical components, ensuring your vessel's cold storage operates efficiently and safely.

Marine Refrigerator Repair: FAQ

What causes a marine refrigerator to stop working?

Common reasons include faulty thermostats, low refrigerant levels, clogged air filters, or malfunctioning compressors. Our technicians will identify the root cause of the problem and provide a clear explanation before performing any repairs.

Can you repair my boat's existing marine fridge system instead of replacing it?

Yes, in many cases we can repair your existing system rather than replacing it entirely. We'll assess the condition of the components, replacement parts availability, and labor costs to determine the most cost-effective solution for your needs.