What to Expect During an AC Repair Appointment

So, without notice your A/C needs repair at your Champaign home and you’re not sure what to expect. It’s nerve-wracking enough to allow an A/C system repair technician into your home, but then to not know what exactly they’re going to do tends to add a whole other level of concern. But fear not! Chief/Bauer Service Experts is here to fill you in on the basic AC repair process so you’ll be prepared when an expert air conditioning service technician needs to pay you a visit. 

AC Repair Starts Simple 

When the repairman arrives, the first thing they should do is ask to see the thermostat. It might sound silly, but they need to check 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 trigger the air conditioning system. A faulty or improperly connected wire could be all that’s keeping you from a comfortable home. 

If there is still an issue, the technician may need to look at your circuit breaker box. They might switch the circuit switches to off and then back to on to see if that activates the AC. 

Getting to the nitty-gritty of AC Repair 

The repairman will then probably ask to see the air conditioning equipment. Like a doctor, the repairman will begin their trial and error testing process. There are many things that could be the cause for an air conditioning system that isn’t running properly, and it’s up the repairman to evaluate 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 clogged or needs to be replaced. They will inspect your 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 examine the wiring, electronics and safety controls. 

Once the AC repairman has diagnosed the issue, they 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 function that part has for your air conditioner operate}. 

The repairman will then go into your courses of action, which will include swapping out the part and correcting the trouble, but could also include upgrading parts of the air conditioner, the AC itself, or your whole heating and AC system. In some cases, it may make more sense to buy a whole new HVAC system, especially if the AC is past its prime, or susceptible to breaking down again and end up costing you more for air conditioning repairs in the end. The repairman will explain how much time, effort, and cost it will take to fix the trouble. 

The repairman might at this point explain what could have been done to prevent the issue or part failure and how to avoid a future problem from happening. This usually includes being proactive with annual maintenance, which not only helps avoid an air conditioning breakdown, but in most cases also keeps your air conditioner’s warranty valid. Most expert AC repair centers 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 AC repair is better for you than investing in an AC system upgrade, the repairman will order any parts necessary and set up your next appointment to repair the AC. Or, if the part needed is already available on their truck, they will go ahead and start the AC repair work with your approval. 

Remember that throughout Champaign you’re in good hands with Chief/Bauer 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 think of any questions about your air conditioning system or what to expect with your AC repair, give us a call day or night at 217-689-2469 and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process.