What to Expect During an AC Repair Appointment

So, suddenly your A/C needs repair at your Austin home and you’re not sure what to expect. It’s nerve-wracking enough to allow an air conditioner repair technician into your home, but then to not know what exactly they’re going to do can add a whole other level of concern. No worries! Strand Brothers 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 check it to verify that it’s not just a thermostat settings error. The technician 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 request to see your circuit breaker box. They will probably flip 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 technician will then probably 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 operating properly, and it’s up the technician to inspect all the possible reasons starting from the most common issues to the least. The process could take anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes or more. 

During the AC diagnosis, they will probably check the air filter to verify it’s not obstructed or in need of replacing. They will check the AC refrigerant levels, verify 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 repairman has diagnosed 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 repairman will then go into your courses of action, which will include changing out the part and correcting the problem, but could also include upgrading parts of the air conditioner, the air conditioner itself, or your complete heating and AC system. In some cases, it may make more sense to buy a whole new HVAC system, particularly if the air conditioner 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 problem. 

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 stress 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 technician will order any parts necessary and set up your follow-up 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 go-ahead. 

Always know that throughout Austin your HVAC equipment is in good hands with Strand Brothers Service Experts. Our technicians 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 512-592-3072 and we’ll be happy to discuss the process.