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Small Air Conditioner Repairs

February 4th, 2009

Saving On Air Conditioner Repairs

Air conditioner repairs aren’t cheap – they can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Quite often, the cost of labor is the biggest item on the invoice, if not the only one! Meanwhile, it’s easy to significantly reduce or even completely avoid charges for air conditioner repairs. Most people miss this chance because it happens before the technician comes, but you won’t miss it again after reading this article.

The idea is to do some leg work for the technician before he comes to your home. When he calls before his visit, pay close attention when he asks you to look at or listen to something. Your observations might let him know exactly what is wrong with your air conditioner. This means that he can either tell you what to do over the phone, or come prepared with the part he needs, saving a second trip. Use your chance over the phone.

You can save big if you listen to that guy on the phone and don’t cut any corners when he asks you to do something. Don’t worry, he won’t ask you to do anything unsafe or difficult. Let’s go through a few possible scenarios.

Q. Do you feel air coming out of the floor registers?

WA. (Wrong Answer) Yes, the air is fine.
The technician will come and check the air for you. He may find that the furnace (air handler) switch was off and turn it back on for you. Do you want to pay $100 for that?

RA. (Right Answer) Just a second, I’ll check. (After checking a couple of registers) Air flow is as usual, or weaker than usual. (Whichever is the case.)
Now, he might be able to figure out what the problem is, just from that simple answer.

Q. Is the filter clean?

WA. Yes, it’s clean.
The technician can come and check the filter for you, but is that really worth $100?

RA. I don’t know. My husband usually checks the filter, but he’s not home.
The technician will explain where to find the filter, and what to check.

Q. Could you check if the outdoor unit is working?

WA. Yes, it’s working.
Don’t assume that every noise that comes from outside comes from your unit. The technician can come and flip a switch on the unit for you. Is this worth a $100 charge?

RA. You go outside to the unit, check the unit, and tell the technitian exactly what you hear.

And if your technician doesn’t call before coming? Well, you may be dealing with the wrong company.

About the Author. Boris Sherman is a heating and air conditioning contractor. His company Cozy World installs and repairs furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps in the Greater Toronto Area. More on air conditioners at Cost of Air Conditioning and SEER Rating