AC Repair

The heat can frazzle anyone, no matter if it is home or office. When your air conditioning goes out and you need it fixed, there may be a few questions that race through your mind: how will I know my repairman is legitimate; will I know if he's ripping me off; when will I have cold air again? Luckily, there are many answers available. But, if you're reading this, you might be quite warm and ready for a quick solution.  

Let's start with the first question: How will I know my repairman is legitimate? This isn't something you want to skimp on, as air conditioners aren't cheap. Legitimate repairmen aren't extremely cheap either and should be licensed, bonded and insured. It's well and good to hire a friend or a family member, but just remember those closest to you can rip you off the quickest. In reality, it is probably best to hire a professional from a well-known business when it comes to air conditioning repair work. This is also because they likely offer warranties on their work. 

Even legitimate repairmen can rip you off by quoting a much higher price than the competition. No matter what, when dealing with air conditioning repair, be sure to get a written estimate. Unfortunately, scamming people is easy to do because most people don't know enough about their units to have a grasp of what could be wrong. We're not suggesting you go to HVAC school and learn, but if the quote is extremely high, you may consider a second opinion. This all depends on how well you take the heat and if repairmen are abundant in your area because getting a second person out may take some time. Keep in mind, you will pay more for an on-call, 24-hour type air conditioning repair than you will during normal business hours.  

The last question is the trickiest. How quickly you end up with cold air depends on if your repairman has to order parts or if you need a new unit altogether. Hopefully, it's a very quick fix and you are able to find relief from the heat once more. Luckily, most repairs can be done in just one day. But, if they can't, there might be a few things you can do to ease the heat.  

Running ceiling fans counter-clockwise won't actually lower the temperature of a room but can help them feel cooler. Just as opening a front and back window or door will create a cross breeze. Do keep in mind the sun's positioning—if it is beating down on a particular window, close the blinds or curtains. In extremely hot conditions, you may consider putting a cold compress on your pulse points and taking it easy. Taking a cool bath might be nice initially, but if it's exceedingly humid you may just feel sticky after. Worst case scenario, take the day to go to your neighbor's, have some lemonade, or maybe lounge in a pool.  

The best way to fix an air conditioner is before it breaks. It's recommended to have it looked at once a year, preferably before it gets too hot (for your benefit, of course.) When using an AC repair person you trust, follow their advice on maintenance. And always keep your filters clean!