5 Questions You Should Ask About Air Conditioning Repair That Involves Replacements | Fort Worth, TX
Your AC unit fails or something goes wrong and you call in a technician in Fort Worth, TX to complete an air conditioning repair service. After a thorough assessment and inspection, the technician will usually offer you two options: to repair the part that is damaged or to replace it. In some cases, a repair will be more than enough to solve the problem and will be able to ensure that you won’t have to worry about that particular problem for some time.
However, in some cases, the technician may recommend that you go for a replacement instead for the air conditioning repair. They may tell you that a replacement is a much better option or they may tell you that a replacement is the only option. Before you agree to any type of air conditioning service involving replacement parts, you should ask the following questions.
#1. Why Is a Replacement Necessary?
Before you agree to any air-conditioning repair work that involves a replacement, you should ask the HVAC technician why replacement as necessary. In particular, you want to get a good grasp of why you can’t repair the item instead of replacing it. For example, if there is a crack in the drain pan, you should ask the technician why they would choose to replace the drain pan rather than repair it. Sometimes, the drain pan can be repaired with just a little bit of epoxy glue. If the technician has deemed that this is not a viable option, they should be able to tell you why. For example, they might be able to show you how broken the drain pan is.
At times, the technician might recommend that you replace the part instead of repairing it because the repairs won’t last long or won’t be as efficient. For example, while it may be possible to repair the part, it might fall apart in the near future again. When this happens, you’ll have to call a technician to come in for air conditioning repair services again. You’re going to have to spend more money. However, if you replace the part, you won’t have to speak with a repair technician for quite some time, as the replacement part will last.
#2. Are There New Technologies I Should Consider?
There have been many improvements in AC technology over the past couple of years. If you are replacing an old part with a new one, then you should ask the AC technician whether there are any new technologies that you should consider. For example, if you are replacing a thermostat, you should consider a smart alternative. This improved technology might actually be just as affordable.
A smart thermostat is honestly a very great addition to your home. Not only will it allow you to control the temperature of your home while you are not at home, but it can also use a lot of different technology and data to control the power output of your AC. Some smart thermostats will even provide you with detailed reports of your energy usage, so you know what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
If there are new technologies that you should consider, you should ask the AC repair technician to provide you with a list of pros and cons before you agree to any type of air conditioning repair service. Go over the reasons why it would be a good idea to switch to a new type of technology. For example, consider whether it is more energy-efficient and will be able to use less energy to get the same job done. While some of these new technologies may appear more expensive initially, they will be able to save you money on your energy bills and on future repairs. In a sense, they pay for themselves and are well worth the investment.
#3. What Brands Do You Use?
If you’re using a replacement, you should also ask about the brand. Some homeowners are pretty particular about which brand is used for the air conditioning repair. For example, they might want the HVAC technician to use the same brand as the brand of the AC.
However, this might not always be necessary. There might be better alternatives on the market. For example, there might be another brand that is just as effective, but cheaper. You should always ask the AC repair technician about what type of brand the use and why. Ask them to provide you with a good reason why you should use that brand. You should also ask them about whether they have use that brand in the past with other customers and whether the other customers have any complaints.
If you still feel comfortable using the same brand as the brand of the AC, you can let the technician know and they will accommodate you during the air conditioning repair service. However, if they do not have that part available, they might have to order it from the manufacturer. This might delay your air conditioning repair for sometime. It really depends on how long it takes for the manufacturer to ship out the part to them.
Check the Warranties
While you’re on the topic of the brand that is going to be used in the air conditioning repair service in Fort Worth, TX, you should also ask about the warranties. There are three different types of warranties. They include:
- The manufacturer warranty. This is the warranty that the manufacturer will provide you for the part. In general, the warranty should last about a year or so. However, the terms and conditions of the warranty will vary. You should always ask the AC repair technician about the terms and conditions of the manufacturer’s warranty before you proceed with the air conditioning repair service. It’s important to note that you will have to register the part within a certain period of time in order to get the full warranty.
- The installation warranty. This is the warranty that the technician providing the air conditioning repair service will offer. Usually, most reputable HVAC companies will cover their work for about a year or so. If anything goes wrong during that time, they’ll come back and fix the problem for you.
- Extended warranty. Last but not least, we have extended warranty. Usually, this is something that the manufacturer offers. They will allow you to purchase a plan that will give you extended warranty. This means that you might still be covered if the part is to malfunction or break after the warranty has ended.
Speak with the AC repair technician to get a good idea of what type of warranty is offered. More importantly, you want to get a good grasp of the terms and conditions that are associated with the different types of warranty.
How Long Will the Part Take to Arrive?
If you are insistent on using a specific brand, the HVAC company might not necessarily have it available at the moment. They might also not have it available because they don’t often use that type of part. It really depends on the situation. In many of these cases, the HVAC company will need to order the part from the manufacturer and wait for it to arrive. This means that you’ll need to wait before your AC can get repaired.
It’s vital that you fully understand how long you will need to wait. For example, consider how long it takes for the manufacturer to ship out the part in the first place. While some manufacturers are quite quick, others move quite slow and it may take them a week or two before they are able to ship the part out. You’ll then need to consider where the manufacturer is located and how long it will take for the part to be shipped to your home.
Some HVAC companies might be able to get the part from a local hardware store; however, you might not be able to get as much of a discount on the part than if you were to wait for the manufacturer. It’s important to consider all of these things before making a decision.
#4. Are There Any Rebates or Tax Credits Available?
Depending on the type of replacement part that you are purchasing and the scope of the air conditioning repair project, you might also be eligible for some type of rebate or tax credit. Applying for these rebates and tax credits can help you save a lot of money; however, many homeowners don’t apply for these credits because they’re not aware that they are available or that they exist.
Fortunately, the technician responsible for the air conditioning repair should have a lot of experience in this field and a lot of knowledge on what’s available. They’ll be able to tell you what types of rebates and tax credits you are eligible for. Depending on the type of air conditioning repair job that you are getting, they might even recommend that you go for the more expensive repair option because it’ll actually end up costing less with the rebates and tax credits.
Applying for these tax credits and rebates can be a headache for some people. However, some companies that offer air conditioning repair services will actually apply for the rebates for you, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. If this is something that you’re interested in, you definitely want to look for a company that would be willing to put in that extra effort for you.
#5. What Are the Payment Terms?
Last but not least, you should also consider the overall cost of the air conditioning repair service, as well as how you are going to pay for it. You can pay for everything upfront or you can ask the HVAC company to offer you some type of payment plan. Some HVAC companies offer financing options and plans and charge little to no interest. This could be heaven sent if you are on a budget, but need to get your AC repaired immediately.
If you are interested in finding a company that will offer you a payment plan, make sure that you check out the terms and conditions and that you fully understand them before agreeing to anything. If the payment includes some type of interest, make sure that you do the math first. While you might feel less of a financial crunch if you go with the payment plan, you might end up spending more than what you’d like due to the interest.
Keep an Eye Out for Promos and Deals
Did you know that some HVAC companies offer discounts and promotions on their services? All you have to do is check their website for more information. Some HVAC companies also offer discounts to seniors and those who are in the military.
Call Us for Air Conditioning Repairs in Fort Worth, TX
Finding a reputable HVAC company to help you complete the air conditioning repair is important. A reputable and experienced HVAC company will be able to tell you whether there are any other possible solutions. They have a lot of experience in the area, and may even be able to recommend some nonconventional air conditioning repair solutions that work based on your needs and budget.
One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth has served Tarrant County since 1988. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that we’ve dealt with just about every type of air conditioning repair service that’s out there, and we’ve been able to find many different types of solutions for our customers, so they have more options to choose from. We are able to guarantee our work and can walk you through the pros and cons of various options.
For more information, give us a call at 817-283-6911 or contact us online. Our HVAC technicians are available 24 hours a day, and can even offer emergency HVAC services. If there is anything urgent on your agenda, we can help!