What to Expect During an AC Repair Appointment

So, all of a sudden your A/C needs repair at your Waukegan home and you’re not sure what to expect. It’s nerve-wracking enough to let an air conditioner repair technician into your home, but then to not know what exactly they’re going to do could add a whole other level of concern. Not to worry! Robinson Service Experts is here to fill you in on the basic AC repair process so you’ll be prepared when an expert A/C system service technician needs to visit your home. 

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 make sure that it’s not merely a thermostat settings problem. The technician 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 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 technician will then most likely ask to see the air conditioning equipment. Like a doctor, the technician will begin their trial and error diagnosis process. There are several things that could be the cause for an air conditioning system that isn’t running properly, and it’s up the technician to look into all the possible reasons starting from the most usual issues to the least. The diagnostic process could take anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes or more. 

During the AC diagnosis, they will probably 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 check the wiring, electronics and safety controls. 

Once the AC service tech has diagnosed the issue, he or she 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 service tech will then go into your choices, which will include replacing the part and correcting the problem, but could also include upgrading parts of the A/C, 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 A/C system repairs in the end. 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 keep a future problem from happening. This usually includes being proactive with annual maintenance, which not only helps prevent an A/C system 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 correcting the issue. If you decide that AC repair is better for you than buying an upgraded A/C system, the technician will order any parts necessary and set up your next 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 approval. 

Remember that throughout Waukegan you’re in good hands with Robinson 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 have any questions about your air conditioning system or what to expect with your AC repair, give us a call 24/7 at 847-306-8730 and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process.