Heating and air conditioning in Fairburn
Fairburn's mid-2000s homes split almost evenly between gas and electric heat, from Fireside and Rosegate Manor to Durham Lakes. Summer brings frozen coils and backed-up drains; winter brings furnace and heat pump calls.
Fairburn system acting up?
Which problems come up most in these mid-2000s houses?
Mainly the summer ones. There will also be a winter split depending on the house. The median Fairburn home was built in 2004 meaning many original systems will be nearly 20 years old. Heating is almost evenly split between electric (51.4%) and gas (44.8%) (Census). One street may call about a furnace not lighting. The next about a heat pump stuck on aux. The electric company will also make a difference. The city lists Fairburn Utilities, Georgia Power, Coweta-Fayette EMC and GreyStone as providers within the city limits. Check your bill. The equipment will be in the attic/closet/crawlspace. Humid summers mean all the drain lines will be working hard.
What these houses have in common
Most are 2000s builds, about two-thirds owner-occupied and single-family, with heat split between gas and electric. The fuel decides which repairs come up.
- Heat split nearly evenly, gas and electric
- A gas home usually runs a furnace with a split AC, so the two age on their own schedules and can be replaced separately. An electric home usually runs a heat pump that works year-round. Know which one you have before comparing quotes.
- Humid summers, heavy condensate
- On a muggy afternoon the indoor coil pulls a steady stream of water out of the air. Run times stretch, the drain never gets a rest, and a slow line backs up into the pan before anyone notices.
- Attic and closet air handlers
- An attic air handler puts a drain pan above your ceiling, so a clog often shows up first as a stain. Closet units are easier to reach but tight to replace. Replacements here are permitted through the city's own building office, not South Fulton's.
What we fix and install here
Each service has its own page with the warning signs, what the fix involves and the common questions.
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AC RepairCapacitors and contactors giving out in July, when the outdoor unit runs all afternoon.
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Emergency AC RepairNo cooling on the hottest day of the year, or an overflowing drain pan above a ceiling.
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AC Installation & ReplacementMid-2000s systems near 20 years old, where matching the new unit to the house matters.
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Furnace Repair & ReplacementGas furnaces in nearly half the homes: igniters, flame sensors, pressure switches and limit trips.
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Heat Pump Repair & InstallationHeat pumps in the other half: defrost trouble, aux heat that stays on, iced outdoor coils.
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HVAC Maintenance & Tune-UpsSpring checks before the drain lines start working overtime, fall checks before the first freeze.
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Air Duct CleaningBuilder dust in newer ducts or debris after a remodel. Sometimes cleaning helps; often it doesn't.
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Ductless Mini-SplitsBonus rooms over the garage that stay hot while the rest of the house is fine.
Questions homeowners here ask us
What owners in Fireside, Shannon Chase and the older blocks by the historic district ask us.
Houses and systems
Is a 20 year old AC unit bad in a Fairburn house?
Not automatically. A 20-year-old AC that still cools, keeps humidity down and isn't leaking can keep going. But with the median home here built in 2004, plenty of original units are reaching that age now, and one big repair is often the point where replacing beats fixing.
What is the best HVAC system for a Fairburn home?
This depends on who you are getting your electricity from. A gas furnace with AC, heat pump or dual fuel can all make sense. Your bill will determine which is best. The March 2024 newsletter stated Fairburn Utilities haven't had any changes to their rates since March 2012. Rebates are only for Georgia Power customers.
Summer coils and drains
Will my AC freeze if I set it to 67 in a Fairburn summer?
No. Coils will freeze due to low airflow/refrigerant. This can be caused by a blocked filter, closed vents, dirty coil or leak. Setting it to 67 will just make it run longer and show the issue quicker. If you can see ice on the lines switch to fan only and call.
How much water should an AC drain in a humid Fairburn summer?
A lot. This is normal. The drain line outside should be dripping constantly on a humid afternoon. Water where it shouldn't be isn't normal. This could be in the tray underneath the indoor unit, on the floor or ceiling. If the drain line is dry on a humid day it could be blocked.
Nearby towns, same phone number
Same number for every town. The ones with their own page are linked below, with one thing worth knowing about each.
| Town | Neighborhoods | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Union City | Shannon Glen, Wellington, Brandon Hill, Christian Corners, The Woods | Mostly electric heat, and about six in ten rented |
| East Point | Frog Hollow, Jefferson Park, Center Park, Colonial Hills, Semmes Park | 1960s and 70s houses, equipment often below the floor |
| College Park | College Park Historic District, Cooks Crossing, Lakeview Heights, Pleasant Valley, Brandy Chase | Older rentals by the historic district and airport |
Drain pan full again?
Call with the street or subdivision and what you're seeing: water, ice or warm air. Or send the form for a call back.
(470) 912-2502Open every day, 7am to 7pm
Before you call, check
- The thermostat. Set to Cool and a few degrees below the room, or to Heat and above it. Fresh batteries if it takes them.
- The breakers. The one for the furnace or air handler, and the one for the outdoor unit.
- The filter. At a return grille or in the furnace. If light will not pass through it, change it.
Smell gas? Leave the house without touching light switches or phones, then call 911 or the gas company once you are outside. If a breaker trips again after one reset, leave it off and call us.