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Repairs That Require an Air Conditioning Professional
Many homeowners depend on their air conditioners to survive the summertime heat and humidity.
But problems with your central A/C can make slacking on a 95-degree day an absolute nightmare. When you are sitting in a heat wave, the last thing you want to do is waste time trying to fix a problem that you might not be qualified to manage.
These repairs are best left to an HVAC specialist:
1. The unit is not cooling. Your air conditioning unit may mean that the condenser or the evaporator needs cleaning, if it isn't cooling. Check to see if the condenser is being blocked by any weeds. Afterward, try lowering the temperature several degrees. If none of these options work, it may indicate issues with your compressor, or it may signify which you're low on refrigerant. Both of these problems require the aid of a licensed professional.
2. The compressor isn't running. If your compressor is defective, you should contact a professional. Installing a compressor that is new isn't a simple task, and attempting to mend the issue yourself may result in more issues.
3. Refrigerant leaks. You should leave anything dealing with refrigerant to the professionals. Whether it's leaking or it's just low, you should leave refilling to some person certified and trained to work with refrigerant.
4. Motor problems. Just like an automobile, a central air-conditioning unit has a motor. And, just like an automobile engine, AC motors are complicated to work with, particularly if you don't know what you're doing. Often times, a skilled professional knows that is possible to replace one cheap part rather than replace the whole motor - which will save you money in the long run.
5. The problem is unknown. Never attempt fixing an A/C unit if you don't know what is wrong with it. It is possible to do more damage vs. the initial issue. Also, you'll waste a lot of time and money on components that are new. Be sure you clean filters, the unit and other components and remove anything obstructing the unit. These simple actions will enhance the efficiency of the device and can actually correct specific issues, like the unit not cooling properly.
Picking An Air Conditioning Contractor
Picking a good contractor to install or fix your central air conditioner can be as crucial as the unit you select, because skilled maintenance and correct installation is required for the unit to work safely, reliably, and at maximum energy efficiency.
Here are a few ideas for selecting a contractor:
1. Get a referral. If you know a reputable air-conditioning contractor, that is a good place to begin. If you don't, friends and relatives in the region can often give you recommendations. Another choice is to use a free local referral service like FindLocalHelpNow.com.
2. Check their credentials. Most leading residential contractors belong to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) or the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA). Both websites provide listings of ventilation, heat, cooling and refrigeration contractors in your region. Look for contractors whose technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE) and/or partnered with ENERGY STAR.
3. Do not accept phone estimates. Don't give your business to a company offering to provide you with an estimate over the phone without really knowing much about the specific work to be done.
4. Ask for several recommendations on equipment. A well-trained, up to date contractor won't try and discourage you from purchasing cheaper or higher-efficiency equipment. Less-qualified firms may not keep their workers current with the newest technology, and therefore you may be discouraged by them from purchasing better equipment.
5. Ask for an efficiency survey of your house. A great HVAC contractor will do a survey of the home and base her or his proposal on a heat-load computation (or cooling-load calculation for air conditioning). Many central air conditioners aren't properly sized for the houses they serve, because of improper sizing in years past and/or energy efficiency improvements since the old gear was installed. The good contractors will not use your existing gear to size your new heat or cooling system.
6. Ask for annual operating costs. An excellent HVAC contractor also will ask about any heat or cooling problems you've had with your old gear and offer alternatives or understandable explanations. Using their heat-load or cooling-load computations, great contractors should be able to estimate the annual operating costs (energy bills) for the gear they are proposing for your own house.
7. Request a written bid before work starts. A great HVAC contractor will offer you a written bid (or suggestion) summarizing the gear to be installed, the work and the price, including labor costs.
8. Get detailed estimates. Do not let the lowest price function as the main basis for choosing a contractor. HVAC contractors that are good may charge more, but they probably offer greater value. Be skeptical of incredibly low bids; those contractors may not be including all routine services and standard guarantees, or they may be trying to unload obsolete or unreliable equipment.
9. Make sure they have a physical location. They should have a physical location or office facility, and they must not be ashamed to have you visit them. An office or store is an indication that the business means to remain in operation and continues to be in good financial shape.
10. Observe their professional behavior. HVAC contractors that are dependable are professional in behavior, bar none. Their employees are courteous and prompt, too. How a business treats you now reflects how they'll handle you in the future, when the next issue arises.
Stick to these guidelines, and you'll select an HVAC professional who knows what they are doing and is a true professional you can rely on, for the long-term.
But problems with your central A/C can make slacking on a 95-degree day an absolute nightmare. When you are sitting in a heat wave, the last thing you want to do is waste time trying to fix a problem that you might not be qualified to manage.
These repairs are best left to an HVAC specialist:
1. The unit is not cooling. Your air conditioning unit may mean that the condenser or the evaporator needs cleaning, if it isn't cooling. Check to see if the condenser is being blocked by any weeds. Afterward, try lowering the temperature several degrees. If none of these options work, it may indicate issues with your compressor, or it may signify which you're low on refrigerant. Both of these problems require the aid of a licensed professional.
2. The compressor isn't running. If your compressor is defective, you should contact a professional. Installing a compressor that is new isn't a simple task, and attempting to mend the issue yourself may result in more issues.
3. Refrigerant leaks. You should leave anything dealing with refrigerant to the professionals. Whether it's leaking or it's just low, you should leave refilling to some person certified and trained to work with refrigerant.
4. Motor problems. Just like an automobile, a central air-conditioning unit has a motor. And, just like an automobile engine, AC motors are complicated to work with, particularly if you don't know what you're doing. Often times, a skilled professional knows that is possible to replace one cheap part rather than replace the whole motor - which will save you money in the long run.
5. The problem is unknown. Never attempt fixing an A/C unit if you don't know what is wrong with it. It is possible to do more damage vs. the initial issue. Also, you'll waste a lot of time and money on components that are new. Be sure you clean filters, the unit and other components and remove anything obstructing the unit. These simple actions will enhance the efficiency of the device and can actually correct specific issues, like the unit not cooling properly.
Picking An Air Conditioning Contractor
Picking a good contractor to install or fix your central air conditioner can be as crucial as the unit you select, because skilled maintenance and correct installation is required for the unit to work safely, reliably, and at maximum energy efficiency.
Here are a few ideas for selecting a contractor:
1. Get a referral. If you know a reputable air-conditioning contractor, that is a good place to begin. If you don't, friends and relatives in the region can often give you recommendations. Another choice is to use a free local referral service like FindLocalHelpNow.com.
2. Check their credentials. Most leading residential contractors belong to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) or the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA). Both websites provide listings of ventilation, heat, cooling and refrigeration contractors in your region. Look for contractors whose technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE) and/or partnered with ENERGY STAR.
3. Do not accept phone estimates. Don't give your business to a company offering to provide you with an estimate over the phone without really knowing much about the specific work to be done.
4. Ask for several recommendations on equipment. A well-trained, up to date contractor won't try and discourage you from purchasing cheaper or higher-efficiency equipment. Less-qualified firms may not keep their workers current with the newest technology, and therefore you may be discouraged by them from purchasing better equipment.
5. Ask for an efficiency survey of your house. A great HVAC contractor will do a survey of the home and base her or his proposal on a heat-load computation (or cooling-load calculation for air conditioning). Many central air conditioners aren't properly sized for the houses they serve, because of improper sizing in years past and/or energy efficiency improvements since the old gear was installed. The good contractors will not use your existing gear to size your new heat or cooling system.
6. Ask for annual operating costs. An excellent HVAC contractor also will ask about any heat or cooling problems you've had with your old gear and offer alternatives or understandable explanations. Using their heat-load or cooling-load computations, great contractors should be able to estimate the annual operating costs (energy bills) for the gear they are proposing for your own house.
7. Request a written bid before work starts. A great HVAC contractor will offer you a written bid (or suggestion) summarizing the gear to be installed, the work and the price, including labor costs.
8. Get detailed estimates. Do not let the lowest price function as the main basis for choosing a contractor. HVAC contractors that are good may charge more, but they probably offer greater value. Be skeptical of incredibly low bids; those contractors may not be including all routine services and standard guarantees, or they may be trying to unload obsolete or unreliable equipment.
9. Make sure they have a physical location. They should have a physical location or office facility, and they must not be ashamed to have you visit them. An office or store is an indication that the business means to remain in operation and continues to be in good financial shape.
10. Observe their professional behavior. HVAC contractors that are dependable are professional in behavior, bar none. Their employees are courteous and prompt, too. How a business treats you now reflects how they'll handle you in the future, when the next issue arises.
Stick to these guidelines, and you'll select an HVAC professional who knows what they are doing and is a true professional you can rely on, for the long-term.