What to Expect During an AC Repair Appointment

So, suddenly your A/C needs repair at your Waldorf 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 tends to add a whole other level of concern. But fear not! A-Plus 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 pay you a visit. 

AC Repair Starts Simple 

When the repairman arrives to your home, the first thing they will most likely do is request to see your thermostat. It might sound silly, but they need to take a look at it to make sure that it’s not merely a thermostat settings issue. The repairman 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 resets the system. 

Getting to the nitty-gritty of AC Repair 

The repairman will then most likely ask to see the air conditioning equipment. Like a doctor, the repairman will begin their trial and error diagnosis process. There are multiple things that could be the culprit of an air conditioning system that isn’t running properly, and it’s up the repairman to examine all the possible reasons starting from the most usual issues to the least. This process could take anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes or more. 

During the AC diagnosis, they will likely check the air filter to make sure it’s not blocked or needs to be replaced. They will examine the AC refrigerant levels, make sure 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 inspect the safety controls, wiring, and electronics. 

Once the AC technician has discovered the issue, he should explain all your options to you. The conversation will usually start with the repairman 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 technician will then go into your options, which will include changing out the part and resolving the problem, but could also include upgrading parts of the air conditioner, the air conditioner itself, or your whole heating and AC system. In some cases, it may make more sense to purchase a whole new heating and cooling system, particularly if the air conditioner is past its prime, or likely to break down again and end up causing you to spend more on AC repairs in the end. The repairman will explain how much time, effort, and cost it will take to fix the problem. 

The repairman might at this point explain what could have been done to prevent the issue or part failure and how to keep 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 businesses 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 resolving the issue. If you decide that A/C system repair is better for you than investing in an AC system upgrade, the repairman will order any parts necessary and set up your new appointment to repair the air conditioner. Or, if the part required is already available on their truck, they will go ahead and start the AC repair work with your consent. 

Remember that throughout Waldorf you’re in good hands with A-Plus. 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 have any questions about your air conditioning system or what to expect with your AC repair, give us a call around the clock at 301-747-3140 and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process.