How Much Does it Cost to Repair HVAC

Air conditioning units are essential nowadays for our comfort and to make our home more livable. But just like any other home equipment and appliances, your HVAC system also needs maintenance and repairs. And when things get out-of-hand, your best move is to find a repairman. Although it’ll cost you some, rest assured that your HVAC system will be running smoothly again in no time. To give you some ideas about costs and rates, here are some estimates of how much you may spend on your HVAC repair:

HVAC Contractors

To get your HVAC repaired, you’ll need a contractor. Most of them have rates ranging from $75 to $200, and have an hourly rate ranging from $100 to $150. If you need to optimize your budget, choose a contractor that you can afford. It is better if you have a trusted HVAC contractor that already did repairs for you, so that you may have a chance to get discounts.

Diagnostic and Tune-up Rates

To avoid making false assumptions on what really is the problem, it is best to run a diagnostic test on your HVAC to see and identify what really is the problem. It will cost at a range of $85 to $110. But if you think that your HVAC unit just needs a little bit of tuning up, it will cost you around $100.

Flat-Rate Charges 

Flat rates are often offered by HVAC contractors for small repair jobs. It is designed to help you save money because flat rates don’t change even if the job took more time than expected. If you think that your HVAC needs just a little work, this is the best choice for you.

Annual Service Cost

Annual services save you from the hassle emergency repairs bring. It includes one or two tune-ups and refilling of refrigerant, heating, cleaning, AC adjustment. If some parts are needed for replacement, it’ll cost you some extra, but most of the time, annual services cost ranges from $150 to $300. It may need some scheduling, but you might be granted some discounts when it comes to service repairs.

Emergency Service and Repairs Cost

At some point, just like any other household equipment, your HVAC breaks down. Usually, emergency services cost more than regular services. Some low-cost contractors charge an extra $40 to $80, while some high-end contractors charge from $400 to $600. 

Individual Parts Prices

If the diagnostic test already identified what was faulty and you want to focus there, here are some price estimates on how much you’ll need to prepare.

  1. Air-conditioner

Typically, an AC service or repair costs around $320. If your air-conditioner has some serious specific problems that require replacements of some parts or refrigerant recharge, it’ll cost more depending on what part was needed to be repaired or replaced.

  1. Furnace

A furnace is also a vital part of your HVAC system. For furnace diagnostics, it will cost you around $90, while repair services will cost about $100 to $150 per hour. Replacement and repairs will cost an extra depending on the parts needed to be replaced or fixed.

  1. HVAC Duet

Among all other elements and parts of your HVAC system, this would be the cheapest and easiest to maintain. It will only cost you around $2 to $4 per linear foot for repair, while it will cost about $35 to $55 per linear foot of replacement. 

If you need some estimates on your HVAC repair or services, don’t hesitate to call your trusted contractor for some estimates. The prices stated about were made to give you an idea of how much it usually costs and help you especially if you are on a tight budget. We hope we’ve helped you! Good luck on financially preparing for your repair services.

How to Repair AC Duct Work

Air-conditioning units are a must-have to greatly improve your home environment and air quality. While we enjoy having good-quality air from our AC unit, they tend to wear out at some point, and eventually break down. Just like any other appliance and home equipment, your AC needs some repairs and maintenance too.

As your AC breaks, one of the most common problems is its ductwork. Most ductwork problems are leaks, causing your electricity costs to go up, waste energy, pressure imbalances, mold, rot, moisture problems, and comfort complaints. To give you some help, here are some tips:

Inspect for Air Leaks 

In doing this, you need to grab your basic tools. Get your screwdriver and a flashlight. You’ll also need to get some HVAC aluminum foil tape or mastic sealant for patching up some leaks. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for the job, as you’ll get your clothes dirty while doing these. For your safety, wear rubber gloves.

Main Unit

You must first check the main unit and its large ducts (which are connected to your branch ducts). One side of the duct system blows air through the branch ducts, while the other pulls air. 

Turn your HVAC system around and feel around all air ducts and its connections to check for any leak. Try wetting your hand for more sensitivity to enhance your ability to detect leaks. You can also use a sponge and a dishwashing soap and put some bubbles onto suspected areas. If the bubbles move, there’s a great chance that there’s a leak. 

Branch Ducts

The areas where your ducts are visible should be inspected next (this could be in your basement or your attic). Check the insulation surrounding your ducts for any damage, mold, torn pieces, or damp spots. If there’s a wet area, it’s a great indication of blockage and an indoor quality concern, which requires cleaning. But if some damage is present in your insulation or any mold problems, you should contact your trusted local technician for repairs. 

You want to try to feel some air movement around your duct seams to see if there is any leak. While you are testing for air leaks, seize the opportunity to also check for air duct insulation damages and wet spots.

How to Seal Your Air Ducts

If there is an obvious leak coming from the main ducts, you can repair it quite easily. Aluminum foil tapes and other heat-approving tapes are great for leaks on a flat surface where pieces of metal are joined together. When purchasing, better look for Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. Before you do any work, grab your rag and make sure that the area is clean before applying either foil tape or mastic sealant.

After cleaning the surface, place a strip of the aluminum foil tape. After you have cleaned the surface, simply place a strip of the aluminum foil tape over the leak or use your mastic sealant and a paintbrush to seal it. Use the mastic sealant for leak areas that would be difficult to close with the foil tape. After all, mastic sealants are better compared to foil strips. 

If the problem persists and you think you can’t repair it on your own, it is best to find and call for repair services. We hope we’ve helped you!

How to Repair A Window Air Conditioner

Window air-conditioners are essential to make our homes cool and suit our comfort. Like other appliances, it needs maintenance and sometimes, they do not work as well as they did before. What can you do to repair your window air-conditioner if it poses some problems?

Here are some tips to help you out:

Get to Know Your AC Unit 

Make sure that you know your window air-conditioner before making a move. Check your user’s manual or surf the internet about it. Know about its model, type, parts, and functions. If you know enough, it will be easier for you to address its problem.   

Diagnose the Problem  

Look closely at your window air-conditioner. Observe if it makes too much noise, drips water indoors, does not make the environment cool enough, has trouble turning on or off, or other problems you might encounter. Doing this helps you know where to focus on and where to put in work.  

Clean the Unit 

Dirt and accumulated debris inside your air conditioning unit can cause problems. Sometimes, some units just need some thorough cleaning to work properly like it used to. Cleaning your unit is a must, not only for your air conditioner but for every device you have. For a device to run smoothly, its cleanliness must be maintained, too.

Lubricate the Motors 

Lubricating the motors will help your unit to run as smooth as ever. Any machine would need some oil from time to time. Do this as a part of maintenance.

Some Problems You Can Solve Yourself  

If your unit drips water toward the inside of your home, you only need to readjust its position. In this way, the pan beneath will catch the water and drip outside. This is a common problem some people can have but solving it is that easy! If your window air conditioner does not turn on, check if the unit is properly plugged then check if your outlet is working. If it still won’t work, read further to know what to do. If you feel like your unit does not make your room cool at all, most of the time all you have to do is clean it up. Consult your manual to know what tools or materials are safe to use for your unit. If this does nothing, then it’s time to call someone for help! 

Problems that Require a Professional 

When your window air-conditioner has trouble turning on, and the above solution did not work, check if its lights are turning on. If they do, the problem might be a faulty switch but if they don’t, then your unit might be overloaded. Do not attempt to repair this yourself for you might do more harm than good. If your unit does not make the room cool enough, and cleaning didn’t do any good, it might need to call an expert to recharge it with refrigerant and all will be good! Remember that your window air-conditioner, like your other appliances, needs to be taken care of. Take all of these guides to help repair your unit and your window air-conditioner will last for a long time!

If you still can’t repair your air conditioning unit on your own, it is best to call for experts and repair services. After all, they are the ones who are experienced in this kind of problem. 

How to Choose the Right HVAC Contractor

People always say “home sweet home,” but what makes our homes a good place to stay in? One of the key aspects is comfort. This includes indoor air quality, temperature control, and oxygen replenishment. Of course, you would not want to smell smoke, dust, or odors in your house, right? Neither would you want to stay somewhere too hot or too cold, nor somewhere too hard to breathe in. The key to the comfort you need is to have the perfect heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) in your home. How can you do that? You have to choose the right HVAC contractor.

Here are some points to help you choose the perfect HVAC Contractor:

Do Some Research

First, you have to search for HVAC companies around your area. You can use search engines or social media sites available on the internet. Look for the things they offer and the reviews, ratings, or stars given by past clients. You have to be open-minded and take all of these into account. You may also ask your friends and relatives who had some experience to give you some advice. 

You also have to check if these companies have sufficient permits, certificates, and licenses to operate. These will make you feel secure and will assure you that these companies are truly top-rated. 

Information is important and gathering them won’t be that hard.

Check Your Budget and Get Estimates

Know how much are you willing to spend and ask these companies about estimates. Do not go directly into choosing the most expensive ones thinking that the more money you spend, the better. That is not always the case. Many companies offer affordable prices but do great jobs. Compare the estimates you will get with the work they do based on the reviews you got. 

Evaluating Your House

You can evaluate your home to know what you want to achieve and what your standards are, but your contractor in mind has to have plans of fully evaluating your home. This is to get accurate measurements and know what problems need to be addressed to get the perfect HVAC system fit for your home. 

Transparency and Making Plans

For you to truly achieve your goal HVAC system for your home, the contractor you are planning to work with should make all plans transparent. You have to always be there when important decisions are being made and do not be afraid to ask and voice out your opinions and suggestions. You have to be involved.

Don’t Forget Mother Earth!

Other than thinking about your comfort, you also have to think about our environment. Be wise and choose eco-friendly and energy-efficient HVAC units that will save you from other costs and have lesser to no environmental impact. Do not be selfish and just think about what you want, because you have to think about what the planet needs! After all, you are one of the people who live in it. 

These are just some points to consider for you to pick the perfect HVAC contractor to get the best system for your home. Take these into consideration and you might just do the best decision for the comfort of your home!

JBI Asphalt Shop: Things to Know

A JBI asphalt shop is in great demand because of its quality and its durability. Not only that, it is very reasonably priced and yet still offers very high quality. When one considers that this is a premium brand, it is understandable that such a service is very dear to the hearts of many.

Road Asphalt

The first thing to do is to look for an asphalt service that suits your needs, based on your budget and the right direction. A proper maintenance plan will be necessary in order to keep your car safe. This may mean having to spend a little more initially, but the investment will be worth it.

The proper maintenance will have a direct effect on the durability of your car. Some people have learned that it is only during these times that their cars experience problems, thus it is better to get a strong asphalt policy that will get them back on the road quickly and efficiently.

It will be very interesting to note that in the natural state of the soil, there is no supply of oil. That is why, if you are going to use any oils in the tires, it will be a good idea to make sure that they are specifically made for your particular type of vehicle.

There are some people who may feel that they can get away with just regular tyres, but they are bound to get deeper and wider cracks than what the natural tyre tread can endure. What’s more, it is important to ensure that you pay attention to the driving conditions you are going to be dealing with, for example, wet and dry conditions.

Such types of conditions can cause various signs like brake squealing, poor brakes and sound from the car. The result of such a circumstance is that you are not going to enjoy your ride at all. When one considers that there are some people who get into accidents that are due to their inability to drive on wet roads, it is highly important to choose a quality service.

Not only that, one can also choose to have a look at the real life usage of the product that they are about to purchase. One may find out that there are some things that may make it seem like this product is not worth their time. You should always be mindful of this.

For example, the price may seem low, but it is still not worth it. The same applies to the visibility of the coating on the roads. It is important to check that your jBI asphalt shop can provide you with a better service that would certainly be able to offer you the right kind of coating on your existing tyres.

It is also necessary to take note of the prices that the company quoted on the website or when speaking to you on the phone, especially if there has been any traffic accident or mishap that they may have encountered. They may ask for more money than what you can afford or they may also ask for more than what you actually need. It is important to see whether there is a hidden fee attached to the service and this will also determine whether or not you would opt for the service or not.

It is always wise to get quotes from different people in order to compare and contrast the different products. The prices of the various products may differ according to what they are offering. Remember, these are not the same thing.

Colours may be very different as well. In such cases, it is advisable to opt for the one that would be best suited for your vehicles. From there, you should always keep a clear mind as well as set a budget that you would need to achieve a high level of performance.

One should also consider the amount of the fee that is charged to keep the lines going or to fix up the damage that may have been caused by accident. You should also be wary of the fact that there are some companies that offer to repair or get rid of the rust on the paintwork in an effort to get more business.