In the dog days of summer, the last thing that you want to experience is an issue with your air conditioning unit. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can also become a health hazard for you and your family rather quickly.

If that ever happens, then you need an emergency AC repair. It’s important to know what to expect when that happens and know all that you can about the process of doing so.

See below for an in-depth guide on emergency AC repair, be sure to consider all of this information when you call a repair service.

1. Troubleshoot the Issue

First things first, you need to see if you can indicate the problem. If you can figure out what’s causing the AC issues, you can ensure to find the right emergency service to fix it.

Start by checking your thermostat. Check to see if the thermostat’s cooling feature is on, if so, make sure the temp is set a few degrees below the current temp of the house. Also, check to see if the batteries in the thermostat need to be changed.

Next, go to the air filter and see if it needs to be replaced. When an air filter gets too dirty, it causes your AC unit to work overtime to filter air through.

If they don’t resolve the issue, then it’s up to an emergency AC repair service to figure it out.

2. Find a Trusted Repair Service

The speed and efficiency of your emergency AC repair depend entirely on the AC repair service that you hire.

If you choose to go for the cheapest AC repair company that you can find, you’ll probably end up paying the price.

Instead, you want to find a trusted AC repair service that has the experience and know-how that you need. They’ll put the issue in terms that you can understand, giving you an in-depth description of the repair process.

Even if you have no idea what’s causing the issue, they’ll be able to come in and diagnose the problem almost instantly. From there, they’ll give you a few options on what to do next.

3. Call Right Away

Many people are tempted to put off the AC repair until the next morning. If the AC goes out in the evening, you might consider waiting to call an emergency service until the morning. Don’t.

Even when the sun is down, a summer night still has the humidity that can creep inside of your house. Your entire family will find it nearly impossible to fall asleep, and as the sun rises in the morning, it will only continue to get worse.

As soon as you notice that the AC has gone out, call your trusted AC repair services. The emergency service will have someone on call 24 hours a day each day of the week. They can arrive in a timely manner and fix your problem within a few hours or less.

4. Check Online Reviews

While it’s true that your AC shutting down in the summer is an emergency, it doesn’t mean you have to hire the first emergency AC service that you come across. You can give yourself a little time to find the right fit.

What better way to find a trusted emergency AC service than checking with previous clients of those services? Go online and check the reviews for all local services.

While you might consider taking the comments with a grain of salt, the overall rating can be an effective indicator. If several people have given them a positive rating, then you should reach out to the service to learn more.

How quickly did the service arrive after the customers called? Were there any “horror story” experiences with the clients? Were they satisfied with the service that they received? All of this can help you find the right AC repair service.

5. Ask for a Quote

As previously mentioned, the AC repair service will need to physically see the AC unit before giving a thorough diagnosis of what’s wrong. However, if you explain what’s happening over the phone, they should have a good idea of what the problem might be.

Because of that, they can give you an estimation of what it would cost for them to fix it in such a quick turnaround.

While it might seem awkward to ask for a quote in such a dire situation, you want to make sure the AC repair cost is in your budget.

A reputable emergency AC repair company will work with you on this. They realize the seriousness of the situation. They know that you didn’t have time to plan for your AC unit breaking down.

If the cost is too much to pay upfront, they might be able to set up a payment plan to help you break up the cost over a few weeks/months. Be sure to ask about that during the initial call.

If you feel that the AC repair service is attempting to dodge your question about a quote for their service, hang up the phone. Get something in writing before you hire the service.

Hire the Right Emergency AC Repair Service Today

Now that you’ve seen an in-depth guide on how to find the right emergency AC repair service, it’s time to reach out to a company that you can trust.

Be sure to read this article for more information on the signs it’s time to replace your current air conditioner.