What to Expect During an AC Repair Appointment

So, all of a sudden your A/C needs repair at your Hillsborough home and you’re not sure what to expect. It’s nerve-wracking enough to allow an AC repairman into your home, but then to not be sure what they’re going to do could add a whole other level of concern. Not to worry! Fras-Air/General Service Experts is here to fill you in on the basic AC repair process so you’ll be prepared when an expert AC service technician needs to come out to your house. 

AC Repair Starts Simple 

When the technician arrives, the first thing they should do is ask to see the thermostat. It might sound silly, but they need to inspect it to confirm that it’s not simply a thermostat settings error. The technician will confirm the thermostat is set to cool and then lower the temperature to see if that will activate the air conditioning system. A faulty or improperly connected wire could be all that’s standing in the way of you and a comfortable home. 

If there is still an issue, the technician may ask you to see the circuit breaker box. They will probably flip the circuit switches to off and then back to on to see if that resolves the issue with your air conditioning system. 

Getting to the nitty-gritty of AC Repair 

The technician will then likely ask to see the air conditioning equipment. Like a doctor, the technician will begin their trial and error discovery process. There are many things that could be the culprit of an air conditioning system that isn’t functioning properly, and it’s up the technician to inspect all the possible reasons starting from the most ordinary issues to the least. The diagnostic process could take anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes or more. 

During the AC diagnosis, they will most likely check the air filter to confirm it’s not clogged or in need of replacing. They will check the AC refrigerant levels, confirm the air condenser fan is rotating properly, confirm that the size of your air conditioning system is appropriate for the size of your home, and check the wiring, electronics and safety controls. 

Once the AC service tech has discovered the issue, he should explain all your options to you. The conversation will usually start with the technician explaining what the issue is, what part (if any) failed, how or why it failed, and what that part does for your air conditioning system operate}. 

The service tech will then go into your courses of action, which will include replacing the part and correcting the issue, but could also include upgrading parts of the AC system, the A/C system itself, or your entire heating and AC system. In certain cases, it may make more sense to buy a whole new HVAC system, specifically if the A/C system is past its prime, or susceptible to breaking down again and end up costing you more for AC repairs in the long run. The technician will explain how much time, effort, and cost it will take to fix the issue. 

The technician might at this point explain what could have been done to prevent the issue or part failure and how to prevent a future problem from happening. This usually includes being proactive with annual maintenance, which not only helps prevent an AC breakdown, but in most cases also keeps your air conditioner’s warranty valid. Most expert AC repair companies will offer an annual maintenance plan so you don’t have to think about making future HVAC tune-up appointments for your home. 

Finally, they will explain the process for repairing the failed part or fixing the issue. If you decide that air conditioning repair is better for you than investing in an AC system upgrade, the technician will order any parts necessary and set up your new appointment to repair the A/C system. Or, if the part required is already available on their truck, they will go ahead and start the AC repair work with your approval. 

Always know that throughout Hillsborough you’re in good hands with Fras-Air/General Service Experts. Our service techs are ACE-certified and have undergone extensive background checks so you can feel comfortable with the people we send into your home. If you ever come across any questions about your air conditioning system or what to expect with your AC repair, give us a call 24/7 at 908-448-2154 and we’ll be happy to discuss the process.