Finding the Best HVAC Contractor for AC Repair in Austin

Listed here are a few tips that would help you in finding the right AC contractor in Austin. Summers are going to be hot as ever, and if your AC unit needs repair or maintenance, it is a high time to call up a trained contractor for some quick repair work.
 

There are many ways by which you can find the best AC contractor, but there are a lot of HVAC companies out there, and the best solution would be to find a contractor that is close to your home. You can easily find a reliable and trained professional in your area; you just need to check online for references and ask your friends and neighbors who they would recommend. For AC repair, it is essential that you hire a trained, bonded and an insured contractor, someone who is technically sound and is experienced with the type of AC brand you need services for. The contractor will inspect and evaluate whether the AC unit requires a repair or replacement.
 

If someone has recommended an AC contractor to you, you must check the company out that they work for, look for any reviews they have posted online; and if the contractor has some sort of technical education, NATE certification, or a formal training in the field, it is a big plus. This kind of work is not something you can do on your own; it requires technical knowledge, industry safety guidance, technology and tools.
 

The company you choose should comply with state codes and regulations. The contractor should be prompt, courteous, and should have the skills and tools to perform the necessary repair and maintenance work for your unique situation.

 

Remember, you cannot take your air conditioning system for granted, and don’t wait until your AC unit breaks down completely to call up a contractor for repair. If you schedule regular maintenance of your HVAC system with a licensed company, there is no way your AC unit is going to stop working in the summer.

How to Keep Cool While Waiting for AC Repair in Austin

Day 215-2012-08-02 Air Conditioning! (Photo credit: jaysalikin)

The summer temperatures in Austin are the worst when you’re stuck waiting for a repair tech to come out and look at your air conditioner. The heat is unbearable and you’ve got no working AC, what can you do to stay cool while waiting for the AC repair technician? Well, here are a few suggestions for staying cool when your air conditioner isn’t working:

Cover Your Widows

The hottest part of the day is when the sun is at its peak in the sky which is between the hours of 10am and 2pm.  If you cover windows on the sunny side of the home you will cut a large portion of the heat transference that happens when the afternoon sun hits those windows and heats up the room even more than it already is. A heavy curtain or shade drawn will make your rooms feel noticeably cooler.

Use Fans to Cool Down

A couple of fans placed strategically around the room will create a breeze ad keep the air circulating which will make you feel cooler even if the temperature doesn’t change.  If the air conditioner is not putting out cool air you should turn it off to avoid further damage and call for AC repair as soon as possible.

Fans do not cool the air in the room, they cool the around your body making you feel cooler. It helps to wipe your face with a cool rag and sit under the fan because the water evaporating on your skin cools you off too.

Avoid Heat-Generating Appliances

The last thing you want to do when it is hot inside is use appliances that generate heat such as a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer or oven. Using those appliances will put even more humidity in the air making it feel hotter and making you sweat even more. It is best to wait and use these appliances after the sun goes down and the temperature has dropped a little.

Take a Cold Shower

If you have a pool, a quick dip will keep you cool while you’re waiting for AC service.  If you have no pool then a sprinkler or shower set to cold will also work to cool you down.  Taking a cool shower lowers your body temperature temporarily and makes you feel cooler for a little while.

Wrap it Up

Another tip for cooling off includes wetting a T-shirt in cold water and wrapping it around your head like a turban. You can also put it in the freezer for 10 minutes for a little extra cooling effect. If you are sweaty already and don’t care about how your hair looks, wetting your hair and pulling it up helps a lot to cool you off.  Body heat escapes through your head so having your hair wet and sitting under the fan will make you feel much cooler and more comfortable while you wait for service.

Get a Cold Drink

Cold, sweet tea or any cold drink also helps you cool down when it’s hot outside. Ice tea and lemonade are two popular drinks to sip during a Texas heat wave. Get a cold drink and a folding fan, prop your feet up and relax in style.

Having a broken air conditioner in the summer is a bummer, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer while waiting for a service tech to repair your system. It won’t be as cool as having air conditioning, but if you follow these tips you can bear the heat without it for a little while. ABA Heating and Cooling are HVAC experts in air conditioning repair in Austin and are known for their excellent service and quick response. Contact us today for AC repair and stay cool and comfortable all summer long.

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Is Your AC Not Keeping You Cool? - You Need Austin AC Repair!

Day 215-2012-08-02 Air Conditioning! (Photo credit: jaysalikin)

Is your air conditioner running but not keeping your home cool? If so, then you need Austin AC repair! There are several reasons why it is not doing its job.  In some cases, the cause may be related to user error, but most often it is a simple problem that can be fixed quickly. If your unit is not working at all do not attempt to fix it yourself, call a qualified AC repair technician.

Air conditioning units have two parts-an indoor condenser and blower and an outdoor compressor and fan. If there is a problem in the cooling system it is between these two parts. Here are a few common causes of a unit not producing enough cold air to adequately cool the home.

Improper usage

Many people mistakenly think that they need to keep a window cracked while using their AC. This is incorrect. When using a swamp cooler you do need a little ventilation but not with an air conditioner. Likewise, closing off rooms or vents to push more cool air to certain rooms is not a good practice. It can put to much pressure on the ductwork causing a rupture or worse damage to your system.

Low Coolant Levels

When your air conditioner isn’t producing enough cool air, low refrigerant is often the immediate cause. Another telltale clue that you have low refrigerant is ice on the condenser panel. If the unit ices over just turn it off and allow the ice to thaw.  You will need to call for a Freon charge to refill the coolant.

High Temperatures Outside

When the temperature outdoors is hotter than inside it often takes longer for your air conditioner to cool things down.  It also helps to close drapes during hot days to help your AC work more efficiently. If your windows are on the sunny part of the house you are getting geothermal heat transfer through those windows and your AC has to work harder to remove it.

Faulty Thermostat

Thermostats can also fail and not be registering the correct settings or temperature. This is the easiest fix because it only involves replacing the thermostat.

Dirty Air Filter

Your air filters trap dust, pollen, hair, dander ad other microscopic particles that pollute the air inside the home. These filters also keep all that gunk from getting into the motor and fan system of your AC unit. When they get full they restrict the air flow going to the working parts of your system and that can cause it to work harder and often at less capacity than normal. Changing air filters is easy and takes only minutes.

Improperly-Sized Unit

If your cooling system has never really adequately cooled your home, it may not be the correct size to do the job efficiently. The air conditioner unit is sized to cool the percentage of square feet of the home; if it is not working then you may need a new system that is the right size for our home. There are many new energy-efficient models that save money and may be eligible for energy rebates to help defray the cost of AC replacement.

Tips :

• To help your Ac unit run more efficiently:
• Cover windows on sunny days
• Run heat-generating appliances (dishwasher, washer, dryer) late in the evening
• Seal air leaks with weather stripping and check insulation levels
• Check air filters monthly
• Clean grates and vents
• Keep doors and windows closed tightly

If your air conditioner isn’t keeping your home cool, contact us for a free consultation. We are experts in AC repair and are committed to providing excellent service for our valued customers. We carry name brand energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and our Nate-certified technicians can help you choose a new system if you need a replacement.