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Summer is in full swing, and that means dealing with blistering hot temperatures. Like most people, your air conditioner is working overtime to keep you cool. But what do you do when your AC breaks down in the middle of a heat wave? The most important thing is to take quick action to minimize the disruption to your life. In this blog post, we will discuss four steps to take during an emergency ac repair.
When your AC breaks down in the middle of summer, it's a major emergency! These four steps will help you stay calm and deal with the situation. Click To Tweet1. Remain Calm During an Emergency AC Repair
It can be tempting to panic when your AC stops working, but it’s important to stay calm and think logically. Take a few deep breaths and assess the situation.
A Riverdale, NJ contractor specializing in emergency ac repairs notes that many homeowners are too hasty in their decision-making and end up making a mistake and calling the wrong person for repairs.
So, take a moment to collect yourself when your AC stops working when you need it most. Patience is also key when dealing with an AC emergency.
Just because your unit stopped working doesn’t mean you need to call the first contractor you find in the phone book. Research a few most reputable contractors in your area and get their quotes before deciding.
2. Call a Professional to Inspect the AC Unit
Trying to fix your AC yourself is not worth the risk. Not only could you make the problem worse, but you could also injure yourself and void your warranty.
Only a trained and certified technician should perform an emergency ac repair. Once the technician arrives, they will assess the situation and provide you with an estimate for the repairs. Get the estimate in writing before any work is begun.
Your AC may stop working due to various reasons, such as a power outage, a blown fuse, a tripped circuit breaker, damaged parts, or a Freon leak. In most cases, the technician can repair your AC on the spot.
In some cases, they may need to order parts, which can take a few days. If this is the case, they’ll provide you with temporary cooling solutions until your unit is repaired.
3. Find a Temporary Cooling Solution
If your AC unit completely stops working, you’ll need to find a way to cool off quickly. This may mean moving to another room in your house that is cooler or spending some time outside in the shade.
As mentioned above, an HVAC expert can recommend some temporary cooling solutions during emergency ac repairs. These include:
- Opening your windows and using fans to circulate the air
- Placing ice packs or cold towels on your body
- Spritzing yourself with cool water
- Taking a cold shower or bath
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
- Limiting your physical activity
- Wearing loose, light-colored clothing
- Avoiding unnecessary heating up of your home using the stove or oven
If you have young children, the elderly, or someone with health problems in your home, it’s especially important to find a way to cool them down quickly. Severe heat can be dangerous, so never leave anyone in your home during AC repairs.
4. Sign a HVAC Maintenance Agreement
After your AC is repaired, you’ll want to do everything you can to prevent future repairs. A great way to do this is by signing a maintenance agreement with your local HVAC contractor.
Maintenance agreements typically include two visits per year: one in the spring and one in the fall. During these visits, the technician will thoroughly inspect and clean your AC unit. This will help to prevent common problems and keep your unit running smoothly for years.
It’s easy to forget about your AC until it stops working, but with regular AC maintenance scheduled, you can rest assured knowing that someone is looking out for your unit and will catch any potential problems before they turn into an emergency.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Don’t wait until your air conditioner breaks down to start looking for emergency ac repairs. By the time your unit goes out, the demand for repair services might be higher, especially during the hotter months, and it may take longer to get someone to your home. So practice preventative AC maintenance.
Have you ever had an emergency ac repair done?
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
We live an apartment with window air conditioners, so we have never had a system wide failure. I go into another room that has a working air conditioner when mine goes out. The only problem is finding a cool place to sleep.
That is a big plus for window AC units!
Don’t put off finding emergency ac repairs until your air conditioner malfunctions.
It’s always better to have routine maintenance so you don’t ever need an emergency AC repair in the middle of summer
Fortunately I had mine checked before there was an issue! All it needed was cleaning and a hose flush. I make sure to always change the filter monthly which helps also!
I’m glad you are on top of your AC maintenance! It saves you a lot in the long run.