Last Thursday, Ronald in Casselberry called us to come have a look at his system, which did not seem to be working. After a few questions, we figured out what was going on and were able to walk Ronald through a troubleshooting exercise to get his system back up and running. Not only was the air finally flowing again, but we were able to save Ron time and money.
It’s true that with air conditioning systems, a small issue can actually look like a very big one. Before panicking, understand that there are trivial things that, when ignored, can make your entire system shut down.
Protect yourself: If a little thing happens, make sure you know enough to not get ripped off.
If you are not using the professionals at Tropical Air of Central Florida, make sure that when you call your A/C company, they do not automatically assume you can’t resolve the problem yourself. Unfortunately, there are HVAC companies in the Central Florida region who take advantage of customers, creating expenses where none should be.
Questions are meant for your HVAC service personnel to understand the situation before making a decision that will involve time and money on everyone’s part… don’t be a victim!
Be Prepared: Keeping a few minor things in mind can empower you to work toward the best call of action with your service technician.
To aid in your preparation, here is a basic list of questions typically asked if you were to call Tropical Air of Central Florida. Keep in mind this list is not all-inclusive as your unique situation and our conversation may affect the line of questioning.
Is your system running at all?
This, obviously, is the most basic starting point. Truth is, your air conditioner doesn’t have to be comatose to have problems. It’s best to establish, first and foremost, if your system is getting electricity and at least attempting to do its job. Once established, more insight is required…
- YES – We will then need to know if it is meeting temperature. You’ll need to note what you have set your thermostat to do versus what it is doing. We may ask you to feel the air coming out of the vents, as that alone can narrow the issue down.
- NO – This may lead us to ask if you’ve tried to flip the breaker or noticed any other electrical problems. We will possibly guide you to the drain line by your air handler to see if it’s clogged.
- ONE IS AND ONE ISN’T – Depending on which unit is working, we might steer our questions a bit toward the broader realm, because this could mean several different types of issues with either unit.
When was your equipment serviced last?
- Unless we are your go-to for HVAC, we’ll need to find out the history of the system. This can either rule out situations we were considering or it may bring up new ones we have not yet thought of.
How often do you change your filters?
- Of course, we have to ask this. As we’ve discussed in a blog or two before, changing your filters regularly is key to having a system that operates up to its potential. While there are other factors involved, and this may not be the current issue you’re dealing with, it is possible to have caused a more serious issue had the filters been neglected for some time.
By no means is any HVAC issue hopeless. Nothing is.
In Ronald’s case, we were able to work together to solve a problem over the phone, saving him valuable time (and of course, money). Where ever you go for your HVAC needs, just remember that your knowledge is your power. With a little preparation and awareness of some of the factors we’ve mentioned here, you can partner with your A/C company to meet your needs without unnecessary investments or the feeling that you were a victim.
In this regard, even if you choose another HVAC company for your needs, feel free to give us a call for a free second opinion… after all, a little more information may save you from spending thousands of dollars.
We’d love to hear from you!
Keep cool and informed,
Rikki Payne
Your Licensed A/C and Heating Connection
321-972-9935
www.Tropical-Air.com
www.acnotworking.com
Serving Greater Central Florida
