AC Repair: A Practical Guide

Have you recently added AC Repair to your regular maintenance routine? I’m sure that you’re eager to start tackling your unit’s major repairs as soon as you can. You’ve probably already called your local appliance technician to discuss this major home improvement task and were offered a price that is much too expensive for your budget. So are you really going to attempt to handle these repairs on your own? Is it too much trouble?

If you haven’t tried doing some of these repairs on your own before, then you might want to consider the amount of time and money that you’ll be able to save by having professionals perform this major service. You will need an affordable multimeter, some type of voltage sniffer, insulated socket covers, and an assortment of electrical tape. If all these AC repairs fail, at least you’ve covered the most basic issues, which means that your handy service man can focus on locating the more elusive problems.

With that out of the way, what do you have left? Well, first of all, your refrigerant must be running clean so that you can conduct your air filter replacement. This is the single most expensive part of your ac repair service. A clean air filter will prevent the formation of mold, mildew, bacteria, and other harmful airborne conditions in your HVAC system. If the filter doesn’t properly function, the conditioner won’t work efficiently either, so if you want your conditioning unit to last for many years to come, make sure you don’t neglect this chore.

The size and shape of the ductwork will also determine which type of AC repair work that you should be performing. Smaller ducts can be shortened by installing metal conduits to run your wires. Larger units, however, can’t be shortened without damaging the internal components. Make sure you discuss this with your technician before beginning any job, or you could end up with a lot of costly repairs later on.

How about the AC unit itself? Are you dealing with a damaged fan, compressor, condenser, or evaporator? This will likely require more than one visit to the repair shop. Depending on the age and severity of the damage, your technician might suggest replacing these items right away. But he or she will also let you know that replacing these items is not necessarily a good idea, especially if you aren’t planning on keeping your air conditioning unit beyond its expected life span. In fact, AC repair technicians frequently advise homeowners to replace their compressors and fans as soon as possible instead of waiting for drastic circumstances to occur.

Other common repairs include duct leaks, worn pulley systems, electrical wiring problems, worn down motor parts, failed thermostats, and even water leaks in the cooling system. Although AC repair does sometimes represent major inconveniences, these are usually necessary in the long run. After all, these repairs may slow you down during the hotter months of the year, but at the same time they can prevent the majority of damage from ever happening. You’ll also find that repairing these units tends to be relatively easy if you have access to the correct tools. That said, most repairs can be completed in just one day.

The process of replacing or repairing your air conditioner is not something that should be taken lightly. Your first step should always be to turn the power off to your unit, then use the manual setting to start it up. If these steps are followed, there’s a good chance that the problem can be resolved without needing you to call on the services of an AC repair specialist.

But before you head out and buy a new unit, be sure to check your warranty, and make sure that you’re dealing with a trusted brand of appliance repair equipment. It’s not worth compromising your comfort just to save a few dollars. Remember, in most cases, AC repairs aren’t covered by these warranties. If you’re not certain about which brand to get, head over to the phone book and search for “home air conditioner repair”, “air conditioner repair”, or “warranties & repairs”.