This is a question many homeowners ask. Some people are under the impression that if they buy during the summer months, the system will be less expensive due to higher volumes of air conditioners being replaced. That isn’t the case at all. The summer is the busiest time of year for the HVAC industry. Our technicians, installers and office staff work around the clock to make sure we’re getting cold air to people as quickly as possible. Let’s step into the shoes of an installer for a moment. There are only a certain number of install crews per company. Each of those crews can replace on average, 2 systems per day. They are replacing furnaces and air conditioners in scorching attics, spider infested crawl spaces, over grown weeds and many other extreme conditions. After doing this about twice a day, all summer long, do you think those guys are going to go install more furnaces and air conditioners for less money? I know I wouldn’t. Would you?

During the winter months, business slows to a crawl. We’d be willing to take on the worlds HVAC needs just get to give our technicians and installers something to do. Due to the fact that we’re WAY slower, prices are lower. The optimal time to buy is early spring. Chances are, we’ve taken care of the furnace issues for the season and are eagerly awaiting the summer months to come. This means we’re basically in limbo. This is the time you should take advantage of to replace your system. Not only will prices be lower but you’ll have some very cheery installers since you’ve given them something to do and they’re not exhausted.

Another advantage to replacing in early spring is you have adequate time to discuss your system upgrade with your comfort consultant. At this point, it’s not 95 degrees out and your air conditioner hasn’t broken down in the middle of it. If that were to happen, you’d be faced with an impulse decision based on the fact that your home is uncomfortable and your family NEEDS cool air.

This always seems to happen during the hottest month of the summer. That’s why having your air conditioner maintained is so important. Chances are, if you’re reading this, that has happened to you. Don’t panic. Here are a few things you need to check for.

1. Is there any air blowing out of the vents at all? If so, read the next steps. If not, skip down to number 2.

• Check your thermostat. Is it set to “on” or “auto”? If it’s set to “on” it may just be that when your air conditioner kicks on, it blows cold but since it’s running continually, when your air conditioner kicks off, it’s just blowing room temperature air.
• Have you changed your air filter lately? If not, go to your furnace or air handler and check the filter. Is it dirty? Your issue may be that you have a clogged air filter. That would cause the air coming out of your vents to be blowing hardly at all in some causes. In this case, just change your air filter and your problem should be solved. Make sure you do this monthly.
• Check your outdoor unit. Have you landscaped recently? Are there weeds, mulch or anything else packed around the unit? The area surrounding your system should be clear so that it can “breathe.” Is the fan running? If it’s not and the system is calling for cool air, you should call a professional. There is a number of things that could be going wrong from here including, but not limited to: a bad fan motor, a burnt up contactor, faulty wiring. If you are in Atlanta or the surrounding cities, give us at call at 770-672-6963 and we’ll be happy to help you solve your problem. Your system may also be low on refrigerant in which case, we can help with too.

• Check your thermostat. Is it at least 5 degrees below room temperature? If not, go ahead and do so for the sake of troubleshooting. If it still hasn’t kicked on about 5 minutes after you’ve done that, move on to the next step.
• Is your thermostat set to “cool”? I know this may sound obvious but we’re human, we make mistakes. Another family member could have came by and accidentally switched the settings.
• Check your air filter. Is it dirty? If so, change it. Low air flow can actually cause your unit to freeze up. Literally.
• Is your system getting power? You can check this: by your furnace (it will look like a light switch), by the compressor at your outdoor unit and at the electrical panel (check breakers/fuses). Your system may have shut down due to a safety control sensing a potential issue.  In Atlanta or the surrounding cities? Call at 770-672-6963 and we’ll be happy to help you solve your problem.

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