Record-breaking temperatures mean high demand for air conditioning companies
KRCR News Channel 7 rode along with Robb Cervenka, a repairman from Allianz Heating & Air, to get the facts about saving money and staying cool this summer.
Cervenka said the hotter the temperature, the busier he gets.
It's 1 p.m. on Friday and Cervenka is on his way to his sixth call of the day.
"It seems like it's starting a little earlier this year," explains Cervenka,as he drives on the way to a service call.
By the end of the day the 15-year air conditioning repair vet will have made 10 service calls throughout the north state.
This call takes him to a home in Red Bluff where the complaint is cool air isn't coming out of the unit.
Sydney Barsanti, the homeowner, is desperate for some relief.
"It was like being in, excuse me, Hell. I mean it was sweltering in there. I had to sleep with wet towels all over me," said Barsanti.
Cervenka gets to work to find answers.
After some poking around discovers the problems that he says are easy to fix.
The unit is low on freon so he so he adds a little more of the coolant.
Another problem is the exterior coils are dirty, but he said that can be a do-it-your-selfer.
Cervenka said all you have to do is take a hose to the outside and he said Barsanti needs a new A-C filter.
"It's a common problem. People need to at least look at their filter every month and change it at least every three."
Also, Cervenka said turn the air conditioner down during the day when you leave for work.
"If you leave and go somewhere, kick it up five degrees. So if you keep it at 75 degrees kick it up to 80 so that way when you get home it's not such a big swing to try and cool down the area."
Cervenka said that combined with a few proactive tweaks to your unit and you should be good to go this summer.
"I guarantee you will save money."
