Start with a five-minute check
When the house is heating up, it is natural to grab your phone and search for AC repair near me. Before you do, spend five minutes on a few basics. A surprising number of summer service calls turn out to be a tripped breaker or a thermostat setting.
These steps apply to central air conditioners, ducted heat pumps and ductless mini-splits. Never remove panels on the equipment or touch wiring.
- Thermostat: is it set to cool, and is the set point lower than the room temperature? Replace batteries if the screen is blank or dim.
- Power: check the breakers for both the indoor and outdoor units, and the disconnect switch beside the outdoor unit.
- Filter: a clogged filter can freeze the coil and stop cooling. Replace it if it looks grey or matted.
- Ductless remote: confirm the mode is cool, not dry or fan, and that the remote batteries are good.
- Outdoor unit: clear away leaves, toys or anything blocking airflow around it.
Problems that need a technician right away
Some symptoms mean you should switch the system off and call a professional instead of continuing to run it. Running a struggling system can turn a small repair into a big one.
- Burning, electrical or hot plastic smells
- A breaker that trips again as soon as you reset it
- Loud grinding, screeching or banging from either unit
- Ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil
- Water leaking from the indoor unit or ceiling
How to choose a local AC repair company
Proximity matters, but it is not the only thing to look for. A good local company knows the housing stock in your area, from older detached homes with tired ductwork to condos where ductless heads are the norm.
When you call, notice whether the person asks useful questions about your symptoms and equipment. Ask whether they work on your type of system, whether you will get a quote before repairs begin, and whether they offer after-hours help. Be cautious of anyone who quotes a price for a repair over the phone without seeing the unit, or who pushes replacement before diagnosing the problem.
What happens during an AC repair visit
Knowing the process helps you feel in control. A typical visit looks like this.
- The technician asks what you noticed and when it started.
- They inspect the thermostat, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.
- Electrical tests check capacitors, contactors, motors and wiring.
- Pressure and temperature readings show whether the refrigerant circuit is working properly.
- You get a clear explanation of the problem and a quote before work begins.
- After the repair, the technician confirms the system is cooling and cleans up.
Repair now, or plan for replacement?
If the problem is a single part on a reasonably young system, repair almost always makes sense. If the unit is older, has needed several repairs or uses discontinued R-22 refrigerant, it may be time to plan for replacement. You do not have to decide on the spot. A good technician will give you the facts, including the cost of the repair and what a replacement would involve, and let you choose.
Many homeowners in our area use a failure as the push to move to a heat pump, which provides cooling and efficient heating in one system.
Keep cool while you wait
During a heat wave, indoor temperatures can climb quickly, especially on upper floors. Close blinds and curtains on sunny windows, keep lights and the oven off, and move to the lowest level of the home if you can. At night, if it is cooler outside, open windows and use fans to pull fresh air through.
Check on older family members, young children and pets, since they are most vulnerable to heat. If anyone shows signs of heat illness such as dizziness, confusion or nausea, get medical help.
AC repair near you from Able Pro
Able Pro repairs central air conditioners, heat pumps and ductless systems in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby, Surrey, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Technicians are on call 24/7, we diagnose before recommending anything, and you get a clear quote before work starts.
If your cooling has stopped working, call (236) 222-2222 or book a visit online.