Air conditioning repair: finding quality help

Written by: Steven Bryan

Nobody wants to be stuck with a broken air conditioner in the middle of a heat wave. A window unit that suddenly makes clunking noises or doesn't provide cool air is a cause for concern. Fortunately, you can find professional air conditioning repair contractors to fix those issues for you.

Signs and symptoms of a failing air conditioner

If your air conditioner isn’t working right, there are typically some tell-tale signs that something is wrong. Here are a few things to look for:

• The unit blows warm air instead of cold – a possible indication that the air conditioner is leaking coolant.
• Airflow is low, which could mean a dirty air filter.
• You hear loud, clunky noises coming from the unit.
• The air conditioner doesn't turn on, constantly trips the circuit breaker, or regularly blows a fuse.
• Frost builds up on the coils behind the air conditioner’s front panel.

Finding an air conditioner repair professional

Though you may feel you can repair a failing air conditioner yourself, it’s usually a good idea to look for an air conditioning repair professional who does the work for a living and has seen a range of different problems.

Look for a technician who has a lot of experience. Be sure to research different repair experts online to get background information and get references from past clients. Even better, ask friends and family who they’ve used for air conditioning repair work and see if they were happy with the end result.

Staying green while staying cool

Older air conditioning units might contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants, elements the government has linked to the depletion of the ozone layer. Air conditioning contractors will remove these outdated coolants and replace them with elements like hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and perfluorocarbon (PFC) which are in compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act.

When working with your contractor, make sure they do not vent any of the old gasses into the air, which is prohibited by state and federal law. A licensed and bonded air conditioning contractor also should be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and know the latest techniques for recycling coolant gasses.

Look for the ACCA label

One thing that sets a contractor apart from the rest of the pack is membership in the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), a nationwide trade organization. Composed of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals, the ACCA helps independent contractors stay on top of the latest changes in air conditioning repair, including government regulations.

Use BuyerZone’s quick and easy request for HVAC price quotes form to connect with multiple air conditioning repair technicians in your area.