Air Conditioning Repair in Eau Claire, WI
Fast and reliable AC repair service in the Eau Claire community
Hurlburt Heating, AC and Plumbing has been providing quality AC service to the Eau Claire community since 1959. We know just how hot and humid it can get around here in the summer months. When an air conditioner failure makes you feel more like you’re living in subtropical Florida than Wisconsin, we’ve got you covered.
At Hurlburt, we are dedicated to providing prompt AC diagnostics and repair to keep you cool and comfortable all summer. We service all brands of residential air conditioners, mini splits, heat pumps and window units. We have emergency service available 24/7/365.
How do I know if my AC needs repair?
- Your AC won’t turn on at all
- Your AC is blowing warm air
- If the AC seems to struggle to maintain the temperature setting at the thermostat
- Strange noises coming from the unit (like a noisy motor or a whiney compressor)
- Ice build up on the AC lines
- Water on the floor near the furnace
Most homeowners wait until something catastrophic happens before they call for repair. If your AC is still cooling but doesn’t seem as effective as it should, it’s a good idea to call a technician sooner rather than later. This could be a sign that your AC unit is low on coolant. If you continue to run the air conditioner in this state, it could cost you more money down the line when more extensive repairs are needed.
What is the lifespan of an air conditioner?
Most central air conditioners, heat pumps and mini splits last around 15-20 years if they have been well maintained. We recommend an annual tune up for all air conditioners but if yours is getting up there in age, you should make a point to have a technician come out in the spring and do a once-over to catch any small problems before they have a chance to become big ones. As long as you continue to keep a good, clean filter in the furnace, you might be able to get a few more years out of it.
You should keep in mind that if your AC unit is reaching the 15-year mark, it might be better to explore your options for a new installation rather than continuing to fix your old unit if it is in need of major repairs.
Can my R-22 air conditioner be repaired?
It depends what is wrong with the system. If it is a simple fix, like a capacitor or transformer, then we can get you up and running again with a quick service call. However, if you have a coolant leak in the system, it gets a little more complicated.
R-22 coolant was phased out in 2019 in favor of the more environmentally-friendly R-410A. For a time, R-22 units were able to be serviced but as of 2020, coolant manufacturers stopped production of R-22 completely. This means that the only available R-22 coolant is coolant that has been recovered from old R-22 units. As a result, the price of R-22 has skyrocketed.
As of 2024, the newest R-22 units would already be 14 years old. Considering the age of the unit and the price of recovered R-22, it would be a better choice to replace the system.
Is there anything I can check myself before calling Hurlburt Plumbing and Heating?
Yes! While we try to keep our costs down, we know AC repair can be expensive. Here are some things you can check before you call us for service.
- Replace thermostat batteries. If your AC keeps turning on and off, or won’t turn on at all, it could be as simple as replacing the batteries in the thermostat. Keep in mind that smart thermostats do not have batteries, as they get their power from the furnace.
- Change your furnace filter. 1’’ furnace filters should be checked once a month and changed when necessary. We go on a lot of AC repair calls during the summer just to find a dirty filter at the root of the problem.
- Rinse any debris out of your AC coil. We live in an area where Cottonwood seed can clog up your AC coils fast and freeze up the unit. You can rinse the Cottonwood out yourself with a garden hose and a sprayer. Angle the sprayer down and simply spray out the debris until the coils are clear.