Air Conditioning Repairs
Air conditioning repairs can be pricey. A basic service call can cost $75 to $200. Then there are the parts that may be needed.
Keeping up with regular maintenance minimizes the number of AC repair jobs homeowners have to pay for. But, even with maintenance, problems are inevitable. Many factors influence the cost of a repair job.
Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is one of the most important parts in your air conditioning unit. It contains copper tubes that house a super cold chemical refrigerant that absorbs heat from the warm air passing over it. It cycles back and forth between liquid and gas phases, then travels through lines to your outdoor AC unit to dump that heat and moisture outdoors.
The fin and tube bond of your evaporator coil can be weakened by erosion, air pollution, improper air filter selection, age or even chemicals that are used with certain types of refrigerant (like R-22). A faulty evaporator coil will lose its ability to function as an insulator for the cooled refrigerant inside your home.
The best way to prevent a faulty evaporator coil is through regular maintenance visits from an HVAC professional. These visits include regularly changing the air filter, having a refrigerant level check and reporting any issues you see or hear in your system.
Thermostat
The thermostat is at the heart of any HVAC system. It controls the temperature in your home and keeps you comfortable all year round. But it can get a bit out of sorts from time to time, and that’s when you need an air conditioning repair expert to check it out.
The first thing that you should do when you have a problem with your thermostat is to reset the breaker. It’s a quick and simple fix that could help jump-start your system.
Once you’ve done that, it’s important to check the thermostat for any loose wires or broken parts. Make sure that all of the connections are secure, and don’t forget to replace the batteries. You should also clean your thermostat’s mechanism and bimetallic coil, using a can of compressed air to clear away dust bunnies. Be careful not to break any of the terminals that connect wires, and don’t leave any screws exposed or they may slip into the wall.
Compressor
If air compressors are a critical part of business operations and downtime would mean significant lost production, the decision to repair or replace the unit is usually based on an assessment of cost. This includes initial costs as well as running costs over the life of the equipment.
Air compressors that fail to start up can be due to a number of issues, and it is important to inspect each one to ensure that no issue is overlooked. Check for a fully plugged in cord and power switch, resetting the circuit breaker (if necessary), and making sure that the air pressure is high enough compared to cut-in pressure.
If the problem is that the compressor keeps shutting off, it may be due to a faulty unloader valve. This valve is usually built into the pressure switch assembly and can be purchased by removing the cover and searching for the part number on the Internet. Once the old valve is replaced, the system can be repressurized and soapy water applied around each fitting to ensure that none of them have leakages.
Ductwork
Ducts provide a means of transporting air around the house and help achieve consistent temperature throughout the home. However, ducts can become damaged and must be repaired or replaced. There are many signs that indicate your ducts need to be cleaned and/or repaired.
One major sign is higher utility bills, which may indicate a hole in the duct. This allows hot or cold air to escape before it reaches certain rooms, raising your bills.
Another common problem is sagging or crushed sections of the duct work. This can be caused by workers during home maintenance or by rodents, which chew on ductwork.
To repair a leaking duct, first wash the area of the hole with soapy water and rinse it thoroughly. Next, remove the wax paper from a 6-inch strip of Underwriters Laboratory 181 foil-backed tape and begin taping the area. Make sure the tape is securely wrapped and slightly overlaps each edge with every pass.
