[swt1899]

I think we've all heard that phrase "When it rains, it pours." Well, these past few days I've noticed that our AC hasn't been running efficiently. Thursday night I baked a chicken for dinner and noticed that it really heated up the house and the AC read 82 degrees. It took forever to cool down. Then last night I made gumbo and the temp read 81 after we ate dinner. I kept thinking, "Maybe I should make my large meals in the morning and then reheat them for dinner." It has been a hot summer here in TX so I could see how cooking dinner could heat up the house. Well, today I went to vacuum and noticed it was really warm in the house. I went to the thermostat and it read 83. I panicked because I had it set for 78. It wasn't even kicking on. So I called my DH and he had me try and locate the company that installed it when we built our house. I searched everywhere and couldn't find it. So I called my parents and they gave me the name of a guy who was reasonable in price. I got an appointment and he showed up at 7:15. My DH talked with him and come to find out we were low on Freon (sp?). I thought, no big deal. Well, this is more expensive than charging up the AC in a car. We are looking at $400-500 for this visit. And the guy is going to call and check with our warranty and then call us back. If we have a leak, then we plan on getting it fixed... or we may have to get a totally new unit. This could cost us $1,400. I wanted to cry. We still have a cushion in our savings account, but we were planning to use that for our son's surgery for his feet. It is a mess. I'm a SAHM so this is kinda scary. I do some online teaching, but our session hasn't started yet. *sigh* So I'm a little stressed. We do a lot of saving and conserving to cut down on spending. But this possible expense kinda worries me.
Anyone been through something like this? How did you handle it?
Sorry to rant, but I had to vent.

[purelegance]

i know how you feel! we're in texas too, and our apartment a/c is constantly broken. (hits 79 around midnight, 75 around 6:30 AM) our solution was to find a new apartment lol. (a/c was just kinda the straw that broke the camel's back.) maybe you can call another a/c tech for an estimate, maybe you'll luck out!

[swt1899]

If it is under warranty, then things will be a little smoother. If not... we may shop around. But my dad has done a lot of shopping around and this guy he says is fair. When I was in high school and living at home, we had our AC go out in the middle of August in Houston. BAD time of year! Hot and humid. We all stayed in one room with a window unit for 2 weeks while the part was ordered. So I've been through something like this before. So far this morning we are cool and comfy. It is raining today so not so hot.
We'll see what happens. He should be calling today with an estimate. *crossing fingers*

[purelegance]

fingers crossed for you!!

[ruthann8]

I hate when things like this happen! About the finances, most hospitals will allow a 12 month interest free payment plan. Also check with your dh's work, mine gives 12 month interest free loans. That would give you some time to come up with the extra money. But hopefully the AC is still under warranty and you are worrying about nothing!

[swt1899]

I'll have my Dh check out what our options are. Thanks!