What to Expect During an AC Repair Appointment

So, suddenly your A/C needs repair at your Gaithersburg 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. Not to worry! Parker Pearce 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 visit your home. 

AC Repair Starts Simple 

When the service tech arrives, the first thing they should do is ask to see the thermostat. It might sound silly, but they need to check it to confirm that it’s not just a thermostat settings error. The service tech will verify 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 need to look at your circuit breaker box. They might set 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 service tech will then probably ask to see the air conditioning equipment. Like a doctor, the service tech 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 service tech to inspect all the possible reasons starting from the most standard issues to the least. This process could take anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes or more. 

During the AC diagnosis, they will probably check the air filter to confirm it’s not blocked or requires 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 safety controls, wiring, and electronics. 

Once the AC repairman has diagnosed the issue, he should explain all your options to you. The conversation will usually start with the service tech 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 replacing the part and resolving the problem, but could also include upgrading parts of the A/C, the air conditioner itself, or your complete heating and AC system. In certain cases, it may make more sense to purchase a whole new heating and AC system, especially if the air conditioner is past its prime, or prone to breaking down again and end up with you spending more on AC repairs in the long run. The service tech will explain how much time, effort, and cost it will take to fix the problem. 

The service tech 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 correcting the issue. If you decide that AC repair is better for you than buying an upgraded A/C system, the service tech will order any parts necessary and set up your follow-up appointment to repair the air conditioner. Or, if the part needed is already available on their truck, they will go ahead and start the AC repair work with your consent. 

Keep in mind that throughout Gaithersburg you’re in good hands with Parker Pearce 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 come across any questions about your air conditioning system or what to expect with your AC repair, give us a call day or night at 301-476-4577 and we’ll be happy to discuss the process.