2. San Antonio, TX 4. Fort Lauderdale, FL 7. Las Vegas, NV 9. New York, NY 10. Fort Worth, TX 11. Los Angeles, CA 21. San Diego, CA 23. El Paso, TX 24. Colorado Springs, CO 25. West Palm Beach, FL 26. San Jose, CA 28. Oklahoma City, OK 29. Saint Petersburg, FL 33. Salt Lake City, UT 36. Saint Louis, MO 47. Kansas City, MO 50. New Orleans, LA When issues arise with your air conditioner, several questions pop into your head. Is it broken beyond repair, or does it just need a little patchwork? Will your AC last the summer, or will you be footing the bill for a new HVAC system in your immediate future? To answer these questions, you need the help of an AC pro. How can you find a good HVAC contractor? What are some common AC problems and their associated costs? Here are some tips for finding a pro who will help you keep your cool. When your AC is in trouble, you need to work with a company that specializes in HVAC services.

While a general handyman is useful for many home projects, AC repairs need the expertise of a technician certified for the job. Never assume that all contractors are basically the same or that a contractor is good because he/she works on a specific brand of HVAC system. Your goal is to find a contractor who will ask questions about your unit, perform diagnostic tests, explain all your options thoroughly, and work with you to find the right solution for your home and budget. Before committing to hire a particular professional, it is wise to ask potential contractors the following questions: This may seem like a long list of questions. However, because your HVAC system is an essential part of your home and represents a significant investment, it is wise to be informed and satisfied that you have chosen the right AC pro for your needs. Do You Need to Repair or Replace Your Current AC System? If the AC is relatively new and can be fixed easily with a simple repair, you’ll likely choose the repair option.

However, some HVAC experts say that if your unit is more than eight years old, you may want to replace it anyway. The reason is, HVAC systems have come a long way in terms of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. ac units for homes pricesYour AC pro can run some numbers for you and help you decide whether the reduction in your monthly utility costs would offset the expense of installing a new unit within a reasonable amount of time.fan not running on ac unit Additionally, an HVAC specialist can inspect your current ductwork. media ac unitsSometimes, leaking or damaged ductwork is the major culprit when it comes to cooling issues. Your AC contractor can often repair ductwork and help you reap the most benefit from your existing HVAC system.

The average national cost to install central air conditioning is $5,206, with most homeowners spending between $3,679 and $7,165. Of course, this cost depends on the size of your home, the brand of AC unit you choose, the BTUs of your AC, the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings, and the ductwork needed for the job. When choosing an AC system, there are several things to consider. Look for a high-efficiency model. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. While many older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or less, the minimum SEER rating allowed today is 13. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label for central air conditioners with SEER ratings of 13 or greater. Remember that AC units with higher SEER ratings generally lead to lower utility bills. Today’s high-efficiency air conditioners use a refrigerant that is considered more eco-friendly than its predecessors.

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate has prohibited the manufacture of HVAC systems using the environmentally harmful refrigerant R-22 since 2010. So, new HVAC systems generally use the refrigerant R-410A. Because R-410A contains no chlorine, it is considered ozone-friendly. When talking with your AC pro, be sure to confirm that your new AC is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.Your outdoor AC condenser unit is designed to work best with a matched indoor unit. If the two units are not matched, the efficiency of your entire system is compromised. The efficiency rating provided by the manufacturer of your unit is based on matched system performance. Your HVAC professional can provide you with an AHRI Certificate of Certified Product Performance, which verifies that the outdoor unit and the indoor unit have been certified as a matched system by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). This certificate provides you with peace of mind, knowing that your entire system is optimized to perform at its best.

It also may help you obtain a rebate from your utility company or municipality for using an energy-efficient system. The average cost of an air conditioner repair is $612, with simple repairs costing as little as $140 and major repairs costing $1200 or more. These costs vary greatly depending on the type of repair needed. Here are some common types of air conditioner problems and their average associated costs: These costs vary widely depending on how long it takes your technician to find the leaks. With a little research, you can find an AC pro to help you make the right decisions about your air conditioning needs. While some cases call for simple repair work, in many cases it may be more cost effective in the long run to replace your AC unit, especially if it’s an older model. When searching for a new HVAC system, consider energy-efficient and eco-friendly units for best results. Professional installation and regular maintenance are essential to the health of your HVAC system.