Sacramento Air Conditioner Repair Cost Guide
It is good for Sacramento homeowners to have an idea about air conditioner repair costs before they make a call to an ac repair company. This information will enable you to make an informed decision about the competitiveness of the industry. You may receive a rate quoted by the heating and air conditioning company and wonder if this is a fair charge. Today on the blog we discuss some of the most common air conditioner problems and the approximate cost of fixing it.
The AC Fails to Turn On
Three common problems can prevent an air conditioner from turning on. First, the thermostat may be set incorrectly. Make sure it is set to Cool and that the temperature setting is below the current room temperature. Second, if your thermostat uses batteries, weak or dead batteries may prevent it from operating properly. Third, a tripped breaker or blown fuse may be preventing power from reaching the HVAC equipment.
These are all things a Sacramento homeowner can safely check before scheduling service. If you find a tripped breaker, reset it once by switching it fully Off and then back On. If it trips again immediately, do not keep resetting it. That can indicate an electrical problem that needs professional diagnosis.
Reduced Comfort Level
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and make your HVAC system work harder. Debris, weeds, leaves, and dirt around the outdoor condenser can also reduce the unit’s ability to release heat properly.
Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear and replace or clean the air filter as recommended for your particular system. The outdoor coil is the condenser coil during cooling operation, while the evaporator coil is located indoors near the furnace or air handler.
Abnormally High Summer Energy Bills
Spiraling utility bills usually point to dirty filters as mentioned above or clogged coils in the outdoor unit of your AC. You may need to call a technician at Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning to come and disassemble the unit in order to clean it thoroughly. An Air Conditioner tune-up may cost you $75 to $150 in Sacramento.
Abnormal Noises
Air conditioning units may rattle, groan, tick or buzz during different stages of their operation. That problem could be the result of a loose component or a damaged fan blade. A blown blower motor can also cause abnormal sounds to be emitted from the AC. The repair cost will vary depending on the actual cause of the problem.
Simple tightening of nuts or screws may help solve the problem. In which case, we recommend you schedule a tune-up visit. Many of our clients find it beneficial to sign up for our annual maintenance program. If the noises are diagnosed as a blower motor problem it will cost a minimum of $150 and a maximum of $750 depending on the type of equipment you have.
AC Cycles Off Before Ideal Comfort Level
Normally, the AC runs until the conditioned space reaches the condition/temperature selected on the thermostat. However, some units may turn off before the room occupants experience the desired level of comfort. This may be due to incorrect readings by the thermostat. For example, the thermostat may “think” that the desired temperature has been reached just because that thermostat is located near an air register.
You should relocate the thermostat in case you discover that it is located near a heat source or air register. This will not cost you any money if you do it yourself. An air conditioning repair (Sacramento) technician may charge you the same rate for a standard service call ($75-150).
Water Puddles Close to the Furnace
The condensate formed as the air conditioning system is working is usually collected in the condensate pan and discharged through the condensate tube. Clogs, crimps, disconnections and condensate pump problems can affect this function and cause water to pool close to the furnace.
You may spend about $20 to buy a new condensate tube. A condensate pump will cost you between $40 and $110. Other solutions (clearing clogs, for example) are free if you can perform them yourself. In this case we have seen the cause be problems that are more complicated so we recommend having one of our technicians properly diagnose the issue.
Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning will inspect the air conditioner in your Sacramento home in case you suspect that the system has developed a more serious problem. We will give you an air conditioner repair cost estimate before we begin the work. We welcome you to compare the estimate with other service providers in the area. You won’t find Fast, Honest, Friendly service like we deliver anywhere else!
Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning serves Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and Northern California. If you’re looking to schedule HVAC service in these areas, give us a call!