Frequently Asked Questions
Our approach to HVAC service in San Antonio is simple: knowledge is power. The more informed you are as a homeowner and customer, the better you'll be able to make intelligent, responsible decisions about whatever is best for your family.
Here are some examples of Frequently Asked Questions regarding AC systems and how Thermo Techs AC Repair operates.
Common A/C Questions
A frozen indoor coil indicates that the refrigerant level is low, or the air filter is clogged. In either case, the coil will get colder & colder until the condensation on the coil turns to ice. This condition can be very harmful to the air conditioner, and is a common cause of bad compressors.In the event of a freeze-up, turn the system off. Check the air filter. If the filter is not clogged, the air conditioner probably needs service.
The current law prevents the use of R-22 in NEW systems after 2010. The law also caps production of R-22, and will result in higher prices as supply tightens. R-22 should be available to service your air conditioner for a long time to come.
Temperature variations from room to room result when duct work is incorrectly sized. In some cases, our technicians are able to rework the duct system to improve airflow. Another solution may be to replace the windows in a hot room with Low-E glass or have the existing windows tinted. The reduced sun load will cool the room and save energy.
Compressors fail for a number of reasons. One of the most common is ?burnout.? In this situation, acid and burnt varnish are distributed throughout the system contaminating the indoor and outdoor coils and the refrigerant piping. This acidic oil is very difficult and costly to clean-up and will contaminate and shorten the life of the new compressor.
In a burnout situation, we recommend replacing the entire air conditioner (indoor, outdoor, and piping) to insure long life and reliability of the new system.If the compressor failure is due to broken valves, lightning strike, etc., compressor replacement is a feasible option. A homeowner should then consider the current age of the system, the energy saved by a new high-efficiency AC, and benefits of a new system warranty.
There is no easy answer to this question. It all depends on the structure of your home, your location, and your personal needs. If you have an older home, you may not be able to install extensive ductwork, and so a ductless system may work best. If half your family likes their bedroom cool while the other half likes it hot, you may want to use mini-split systems so each room can be set to a different temperature. If you have a newer, larger home, a central air conditioner may be the most efficient system for you to install.
Questions About Thermo Techs
Yes! All of our work is backed up with original manufacturers warranties, plus our own 1-year "fixed right" promise. If anything we've repaired doesn't last for at least a year, we'll come back out and fix it.
We accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit cards.
Absolutely. You can find out more about our financing options in our website (under the financing tab). We offer financing solutions for all of our services, to help make sure it fits your budget as well as possible.
Common Heating Questions
To generate heat, furnaces burn oil or gas, while heat pumps run on electricity, drawing heat from outside air—even cold air—and transferring it indoors. Because of how they work, heat pumps produce less heat than furnaces and work best in warmer climates (like San Antonio).
In San Antonio, it's almost guaranteed that you have a heat pump, but some older homes still have a furnace.
The easiest way to tell is to check for a gas line. If there's a gas line running into your heating system, then you have a furnace, because heat pumps only use electricity. If you can't tell whether there's a gas line, check your utility bill.
Absolutely! Getting your system tuned up in the fall before weather gets too cold ensures that it's going to work when the temperatures drop. You'd hate to need your heater and go to turn it on, only to find out it's not working.
There can be a variety of reasons for this, but one of the most likely is that there's an issue with your ducts. The warm air isn't getting distributed correctly, or you're leaking heat in the attic.