Residents Heated Over Long Wait Times For AC Repairs
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – Air conditioners are running on over drive as the summer days of triple heat continue. And despite most repairs starting at $300-$500, the high price tag doesn't buy a quick repair either.
Fort Worth resident Karen Payne has dealt with 90 degree temperatures in her bedroom on and off now for almost three weeks. She said the last three days were unbearable after her air conditioner went on the fritz weeks ago.
"You walk into one of the rooms on that side you will start sweating inside the house," said Payne.
Payne said her misery is compounded by the fact that repairs aren't coming quick enough.
"I'm not getting answers. No one answers the phone," she said.
She's one of many North Texans on waiting lists for AC repairs, with huge backups in service calls spreading throughout the metroplex.
The owner of the Fort Worth Air Conditioning Company, Sonny Pewitt said he has worked non-stop lately responding to the high volume of calls.
"Our day gets started 6-6:30 in the morning. We're lucky if we get to go home by 10-10:30 or 11 o'clock at night," said Pewitt.
Air conditioning units aren't built to withstand Texas' high triple digit heat, according to Pewitt.
"When you start approaching 100 degree temperatures the failure rate on air conditioning equipment more than triples," he said.
Unfortunately for other people like Payne, Pewitt said they will simply have to wait.
"You got to pick up the phone and get put on the schedule and unfortunately you have to wait your turn."
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