AC Repair: Consider the Best Time to Get It

If you have air conditioning, there may come a time when you need to get the unit repaired. Of course, this is often expensive, which can scare some homeowners away from getting the repairs they need. In some cases, the repairs can wait until you have some extra money, but sometimes, it is best to just get them as soon as possible. Consider the best times to get AC repair. 

If you live in a state where every house has air conditioning, it probably means your area is hot enough to get the unit fixed quickly when it breaks. If you use it often and start to sweat the minute it turns off unexpectedly, you need to get it fixed quickly. This is because otherwise you will have to leave your house to find a cooler area during the daylight hours. You may find it hard to sleep, too, if your house has not cooled off by night. If you have children and indoor pets, this affects them, as well, since they will likely be unable to get comfortable or even sleep at all. You want to be able to be comfortable in your house, and delaying the repairs is only delaying the inevitable since you will have to pay for them eventually. It is best to just get it over with, using a credit card or borrowing from savings if you have to, as this can turn out to be a health hazard, or at least extremely uncomfortable. 

If, on the other hand, your home is one of the few on your block to have an air conditioning unit, it is probably not a big deal when it breaks. If you can simply open the windows to get the same effect through your home, then the unit is just an extra luxury and AC repair is not that important. Of course, if you paid for this feature, it is nice to have it working, so do not let it stay broken for too long. If it breaks during summer and you can live without it this season, it is best to wait until fall or winter to fix it. This is because the prices tend to drop when it is cooler outside since few people are desperate for AC repair at that point. In addition, most companies are slow, which gives them incentive to drop their prices and schedule you in right away. Therefore, if you can wait without subjecting yourself to much discomfort, you should avoid repairs until it is cold outside.

Being intimidated by the costs of AC repair is normal, as parts, labor, or a complete replacement can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. However, some fixes are much less, and may even surprise you by their low price. Either way, it is best to get a price quote before deciding whether to pay to get it now or wait until later. This way, you will avoid either being uncomfortable for months in the heat, or paying too much.