Philadelphia Air Conditioning Repair

While air conditioning repair in Philadelphia is not an issue all year round, for those homes that have central AC, it is essential in order to maintain efficiency and comfort during the summer months. Even homes that rely on window mounted units to beat the heat might require a visit or two from a repair man to make sure that it is running at its highest efficiency, as a malfunctioning air conditioner will not only do a bad job keeping the house cool, it can also become an extraordinary drain on the wallet.

Philadelphia Air Conditioning Repair Checklist
Before you hire a professional, there are a few things you can check on your own that might help breathe new life into your air conditioner. The first thing to examine is your condensing unit (which is outside) to make sure that it can easily draw air. Make sure that there is nothing on or around the unit that would keep it from pulling air in. Remove any obstructions such as newspaper and leaves.

Next, you should check the filter. Disposable fiberglass filters should be changed regularly to keep the unit running at its highest efficiency. If you have a permanent filter, it should be removed and cleaned with some frequency. One of the most practical checks you can perform is to run your air conditioner for a while before it is needed. A month before the weather gets hot, turn it on and see if it is functioning properly. Though this will not fix anything in itself, it will let you know if any repairs will be necessary before the temperature gets uncomfortable (which will, in turn, allow you to hire a pro before the first hot days of summer when everybody and their brother will be calling for repairs).

Philadelphia Air Conditioning Repair Professionals
Who you call is every bit as important as when you call if you want your repairs done right, and done quickly. Air conditioning repair requires a specialized skill set, and some special tools in many cases, as well. While a regular handyman might have some knowledge of how your air conditioning system operates, there is no substitute for a certified HVAC specialist with training and experience in the field.

Annual Maintenance
Many people make the mistake of waiting until there's a noticeable problem to call for repairs, which is a costly way to go. If your unit has a minor refrigerant leak, you'll be able to have it repaired for next to nothing; if that refrigerant is allowed to leak for an extended period of time, the burned out compressor that could result may cost over $1,000. Even those with a relatively new system should have it looked at once a year, preferably in the off season so you can work around your schedule rather than the schedule of your repair person.

Prices of Philadelphia Air Conditioning Repair
For air conditioning repair, Philadelphians generally pay somewhere between $100 and $450, but prices can get much higher if major components break. To hire a technician for a check-up should cost $100 or less and will depend on the services that check-up comes with (some companies might include cleaning and certain minor repairs in the check-up price, so it's good to read the fine print). In most cases, AC repair doesn't take more than a few hours.