AC/thermostat doesnt work (cost to fix)

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Of course on one of the hottest days we found that our Central Air would not work. We checked the outside and made sure everything was connected and on, but it would not start. We then tried to put the heat on and that would not work as well. The thermostat appears to not be working.

We called a HVAC person and he said it would be $85/hour with a minimum of one hour. Does that seem reasonable? Also any ideas what this could be?

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It depends on how involved the job is. some are simple enough if you can buy the stat you need.

If not under warenty dissconnect from electricity and pull the cover off. see if you can id the stat and its connections does it look simple to disconnect and refit?

If not then $85 sounds about right for an experienced man. Check about being charged for travel time.

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Linkat- There are a number of things that could go wrong with your a/c.

check this out:

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-central-air-conditioners1.htm

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-central-air-conditioners.htm

Personally, I would call a professional. Ask your neighbors to determine which services are trustworthy. For many homeowners air conditioners are a mystery. I would not fool around with one myself.

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Phoenix32890 wrote:

Linkat- There are a number of things that could go wrong with your a/c.

check this out:

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-central-air-conditioners1.htm

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-central-air-conditioners.htm

Personally, I would call a professional. Ask your neighbors to determine which services are trustworthy. For many homeowners air conditioners are a mystery. I would not fool around with one myself.

Actually this person was recommended to us by our home owner's association - it just seems steep in price, I don't mind paying if that is the going rate. The thing is I don't think it is the A/C as the heat will not start either.

We actually hardly use our A/C as the way our unit is, it stays nice and cool even on hot days - we usually only use it on very hot and humid or days or if we are using the stove.

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Did you check the breakers?

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Another thing to check: The panel(s) on the inside unit. Some have a cut-off switch for when the panel is open.

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A/c's are really quite simple. They have a refridge coil a heating coil, a fan and a thermostat contained within the unit. The fan extracts air from the room or home or outside depending on where the vents are set and blows it over the coils. at some point the thermostat measures the air temp and swithces on or off the coils as required.

I misunderstood you statement to be "when on heat it worked - just not as well."

If the fan does not operate on heat or cool it probably is a pro job.

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a40/dadpad/online%20photos/aircon.jpg

Here is my disgustingly dirty aircon. you can see the thermostat below the coil.

It should just unscrew further into the unit.

Your unit will be completly different of course.

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DrewDad wrote:

Did you check the breakers?

Yes - I may not know much - but at least I know to check the breakers.

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DrewDad wrote:

Another thing to check: The panel(s) on the inside unit. Some have a cut-off switch for when the panel is open.

What/where is the inside unit? I know the outside and there is a switch there - once it was switched off and we were able to switch it back. We have a utility closet with a hot water and heating unit.

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dadpad wrote:

Here is my disgustingly dirty aircon. you can see the thermostat below the coil.

It should just unscrew further into the unit.

Your unit will be completly different of course.

yeah ours is completely different.

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Linkat wrote:

DrewDad wrote:
Another thing to check: The panel(s) on the inside unit. Some have a cut-off switch for when the panel is open.

What/where is the inside unit? I know the outside and there is a switch there - once it was switched off and we were able to switch it back. We have a utility closet with a hot water and heating unit.

I'm operating from my experience with my unit here in Texas - heavy duty A/C, lightweight furnace.

There are two main mechanical portions to my A/C unit. The unit outdoor takes "hot" coolant and changes it to "cold" coolant.

The indoor unit takes "cold" coolant, blows air across it, and turns it into cold air and "hot" coolant.

The indoor unit is where my air filter is. Before the last upgrade, I'd always have to get the panel on just right after changing the air filter, or the contact switch would keep the unit turned off.

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Linkat wrote:

DrewDad wrote:
Did you check the breakers?

Yes - I may not know much - but at least I know to check the breakers.

I figured, but it never hurts to ask.

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dadpad wrote:

Here is my disgustingly dirty aircon. you can see the thermostat below the coil.

It should just unscrew further into the unit.

Your unit will be completly different of course.

You've shown a pic of a window AC unit and since she mentioned that her thermostat controls both the AC and heat I'd assume she has central air.

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Linkat wrote:

Actually this person was recommended to us by our home owner's association - it just seems steep in price, I don't mind paying if that is the going rate. The thing is I don't think it is the A/C as the heat will not start either.

$85/hr is the goinng rate in greater Boston. You aren't going to get a licensed HVAC guy out there for much less than that.

Before I'd spring for it though, I'd go to your local hardware store and pick up a $20 thermostat and install it in place and see if the system kicks on. The wiring on these things is very simple and all you'd need is a standard screwdriver.

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Update?

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fishin wrote:

You've shown a pic of a window AC unit and since she mentioned that her thermostat controls both the AC and heat I'd assume she has central air.

And your assumption would be wrong as the pic shows a reverse cycle wall mount aircon. but thats all academic. I was just trying to show Link what an aircon thermostat may look like.

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DrewDad wrote:

Update?

ok drewdad you saved me $85. We found a switch in the utility closet that was covered by some crap we had in there. Apparantely one of us must have accidently hit the switch and turned it off.

Duh!!!

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Oh, yeah. I have that switch, too. Didn't even cross my mind....

Glad to hear it worked out.

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DrewDad wrote:

Oh, yeah. I have that switch, too. Didn't even cross my mind....

Glad to hear it worked out.

Because it was such a duh moment - most idiots would figure it out - only a genius like me would miss it.

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AC/thermostat doesnt work (cost to fix)

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AC/thermostat doesnt work (cost to fix)