Ugh. Did NOT want to spend the weekend dealing with the home warranty company, plus reaching out to additional AC repair folks since the "identified provider" hasn't responded yet. And this is the second provider... first one said they couldn't make it out for an emergency repair until after Labor Day. 😠
@Synical I foresee in the not-so-far future, AC-repair trucks will have lights and sirens.
After a diagnostic and new motor run capacitor, the cool air is once again flowing. Probably time to start planning for a replacement though, since the system's over 20 years old. :D