Are you worried that your air conditioning unit is about to give out on you? Do you fear that your air conditioning unit just went out, but are unsure of how to tell? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about air conditioning repair.
Depending on the time of year, an AC unit going out can be downright dangerous for you and your entire family. It’s unsafe to stay in a house that lacks air conditioning in the dead heat of summer/fall.
See below for an in-depth guide on everything you need to know regarding cooling repair in these emergencies.
1. Know the Signs of an AC Emergency
Your air conditioner might be making some concerning noises, but is that enough to be considered an “emergency”? You’re AC is showing signs of slowing down, but does that give you the grounds to contact an emergency repair service?
Essentially, we consider an air conditioning emergency as any situation in which the AC isn’t working as it should and the temperature is hot outside. The same thing goes for a situation where a furnace isn’t working and it’s below-freezing temperatures outside.
Knowing the signs of a potential emergency can help you avoid one in the first place. The most obvious one is when you notice that there isn’t much air coming out of the register. Generally, you’ll feel and hear the air blowing out and cycling through your house when it’s working normally.
Also check to see if the unit is blowing cold air, if not, then the temperature in your home will continue to spike, so this would be considered an emergency.
There might also be water leaks or a musty odor that you’re catching a whiff of, either one is a sign that the air conditioning unit is about to give out (if not the entire HVAC system).
2. Contact Professional Air Conditioning Repair Right Away
This is no time for you to attempt a DIY project to try and save some money. If your air conditioner has gone out, then there are a variety of issues that could’ve led to giving out.
The more you try and troubleshoot the issue, the longer it will take. The longer it will take, the hotter it will get inside and the more dangerous it is for you and your family to stay there. Reach out to a trusted air conditioning repair service right away.
The professional service will respond to your need quickly to try and prevent the temperature in your house from climbing too much.
As for how long the emergency maintenance will take, the answer depends on a variety of factors. First of all, it depends on when you make the call; if it’s during the night, weekend, or a holiday, then you can expect it to take a bit longer for them to get to you.
It also depends on the issue. The technician will likely determine the root cause of the problem within 20 to 30 minutes, then another hour or so for the repair to take place.
3. Cool Down the House
Don’t wait for the air conditioning to kick back on for your house to cool down. When the AC gives out and you’ve already contacted professionals to repair it, your top priority becomes keeping the temperature as cool as possible in your house.
You might not be able to keep it cool, but you can delay the temperature from spiking too significantly.
First, start by using as many fans as possible. Turn on the ceiling fans, grab a few makeshift fans, and gather them in one central area of the house. That way, your family can stay within that room and feel moderately comfortable.
Close the blinds in the house, as the UV rays from the sunlight will cause your home’s interior to heat up. Also, make sure not to open any windows if it’s a hot day, this will have the opposite effect.
4. Make Other Arrangements
There’s never a convenient time for the AC to go out. However, there are some periods when it’s even more inconvenient, even dangerous, for the AC to give way.
Make sure that you make arrangements for the necessary amount of time. If an AC repair service can’t get out to your house until the following morning, you might consider renting a hotel or staying in a family member’s house for the night.
Even if it’s just for a few hours, take your family to a store that has air conditioning inside of it, so you can ensure that they stay cool and comfortable.
5. Refrain from Using Other Appliances
Believe it or not, the appliances that you use inside your house can quickly spike the temperature inside a house with no AC.
Some of these appliances might surprise you. You’ll want to refrain from using appliances such as your stove, oven, and dryer. But even using your refrigerator or dishwasher can cause a minuscule spike.
As we said, make other arrangements so that your family isn’t forced to sit in limbo while the AC unit gets fixed.
Reach Out to an Air Conditioning Repair Service Right Away
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on what to do when you need an emergency air conditioning repair, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Are you worried that your AC won’t make it through the summer? If so, then be sure to reach this article for information on how to prevent your AC from crashing. For more inquiries, please call us right away at 510-518-8965 and we’ll be happy to help you further.
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