9 Signs It Is Time For A New Air Conditioner Installation | Dallas, TX
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During the summer, you rely greatly on the air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home. On an average summer day, the temperature is in the ’90s, and on a humid day, it can feel hotter than it actually is. When it is this hot outside, many people spend more time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat and remain cool and comfortable. And if they don’t have an air conditioner they might want to have an air conditioner installation.
Unfortunately, air conditioning issues arise at the most inconvenient time. If your system breaks down during the hottest time of the year, it will be impossible to remain cool and comfortable in your home. Without a functioning air conditioner, it can be just as hot inside as it is outside.
Some issues don’t cause a complete air conditioner to shut down immediately. It can continue working with an issue, but it is a bad idea to ignore the issue. Allowing the issue to continue will cause more damage, and it is just a matter of time before it becomes impossible for the air conditioner to keep your home cool.
While some issues can be repaired, there are issues that cannot be repaired and may require a new air conditioner installation.
If the air conditioner in your home is experiencing any of the following issues, you should call a licensed HVAC company to determine whether the issue can be repaired or if a new air conditioner installation will be necessary.
#1 No Cool Air
If the air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home isn’t blowing cool air, it will be impossible for it to cool down your home. Before you call an HVAC company and start worrying about a new air conditioner installation, you should make sure your thermostat is set correctly. First, make sure the thermostat is set to the cooling mode. If it isn’t, the system will blow warm air from the vents rather than cold air. You should also check the temperature setting. For your air conditioner to pump out cold air, the temperature in your home must be warmer than the setting on the thermostat. If it isn’t, your air conditioner won’t pump out cold air.
If your thermostat is set correctly, it is time to call an HVAC company. There are a few issues that could be causing the problem. There could be an issue with the thermostat, or your system could be low on refrigerant, and both of these issues can be repaired. However, the issue could be a broken compressor, which might not be repairable, and a new air conditioner installation might be necessary.
#2 Poor Airflow
If you don’t have adequate airflow coming from the vents in your home, it can be difficult for your home to reach the desired temperature. In many cases, the issue lies within the air ducts. If there is dirt, dust, pet dander, and other debris in the air ducts, it can obstruct the air and can also affect the air quality in your home. There could also be a crack in the air ducts, and the cold air is leaking out. If this is the case, it can be repaired; however, if you wait too long to have the air ducts checked by a professional, your air conditioner will have to work overtime to keep your home cool. This excess work puts added strain on your air conditioner, reducing its maximum lifespan, and you will need a new air conditioner installation of a replacement sooner than necessary.
The issue could also be with the system’s blower. The blower pushes the air-conditioned air from the system through the air ducts and to the vents. If the blower is broken, the airflow will be very weak. If an HVAC tech tells you that the blower needs to be replaced, it can cost up to $800. If your system is 10 years old or older, a repair this expensive may not be worth it, and a new air conditioner replacement could be the most cost-effective option.
#3 Your Energy Bills Have Increased
If you have been living in your Dallas, TX home for at least one summer, you should have an idea of the cost of your energy bill when your air conditioner is running. If your bills are significantly higher than usual during the summer, there is likely an issue with your air conditioner and you might need an air conditioner installation.
Higher bills can signify that your system needs a tune-up to keep it functioning as efficiently as possible. Clogged air ducts can also be the cause. When there is debris obstructing the air ducts, the system will need to work harder to keep your home cool, which will cause an increase in your energy bills.
Higher energy bills can also signify that your air conditioner has reached the end of its lifespan and can no longer function as efficiently as it should. If an HVAC determines that this is why your energy bills have increased, you will need to start planning for a new air conditioner installation.
#4 Strange Smells
If the air conditioner in your home is functioning properly, it shouldn’t emit any strange smells when it is running. If you smell something strange when the system is running, there is a problem.
If there is a musty or moldy smell when your system is running, it could be due to one of two issues. The first is mold growth in the air ducts. The air ducts are dark, and they can get damp. This is the perfect environment for mold growth.
If there is mold in the air ducts, it can have a dangerous effect on the air quality in your home. When your air conditioner is running, mold spores will circulate through the air. Breathing in mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues and can weaken your immune system. If a member of your family has a chronic lung or respiratory issue, breathing in mold spores will make their condition worse.
If an HVAC tech determines there is mold in the air ducts, they can use an antimicrobial to eradicate the mold. The fogger will also prevent mold growth in the future.
If the air ducts are free of mold, there could be mold growth in the air conditioner itself. If this is the case, it may be too difficult to eradicate the mold, and a new air conditioner installation would be necessary.
If you smell something burning when your air conditioner is running, you should turn it off immediately and call an HVAC company. The burning smell signifies a serious electrical issue that could spark an electrical fire if you continue using the air conditioner.
An HVAC tech will determine whether the issue can be repaired or if a new air conditioner installation is the best option.
#5 High Humidity
The air conditioner in your home is designed to keep your home cool. It is also designed to remove the humidity from your home. If your home remains humid when your air conditioner is running, you should call an HVAC company.
This issue could be easily fixed by calibration and tuning up the system. However, high humidity in the home could signify that your air conditioner has reached the end of its lifespan and isn’t working efficiently enough to remove the humidity in your home. If this is the case, a new air conditioner installation will be necessary to keep your home cool and dry.
#6 Liquid Pooling Around the Unit
There should never be liquid pooling around the air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home. If there is, you should call a licensed HVAC company immediately.
This issue can occur if your evaporator coil has frozen, which can occur in a few different ways.
- Lack of airflow: The evaporator coils absorb the heat from the air. If there isn’t enough heat for the coils to absorb, they will freeze.
- Dirty air filter: A dirty air filter will prevent the coil from absorbing the necessary heat to keep it functioning properly.
- Dirty evaporator coils: When dirt and debris build-up on the evaporator coil, the heat exchange will be obstructed, causing the coils to freeze.
When the evaporator coil freezes, the ice will melt, leaving a puddle on the floor. As the coil continues to freeze and thaw, again and again, it can cause a large puddle on the floor.
The liquid pooling around your air conditioner could also be a refrigerant leak. If your air conditioner is relatively new, this is a simple fix. An HVAC tech can repair the leak and refill the refrigerant. However, if you have an older system and there is a refrigerant leak, a new air conditioner installation will be necessary.
Many older systems use R-22 refrigerant. In 2015, R-22 was deemed highly toxic and harmful to the environment. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency began phasing out R-22. On January 1, 2020, the EPA and the United States government banned R-22 refrigerant. If your system is leaking refrigerant, the HVAC tech won’t be able to find R-22 to refill your system. The only way to ensure your home will be cool and comfortable during the hot summer months is to schedule an appointment for a new air conditioner installation. The tech can install a newer model that doesn’t require R-22 refrigerant.
#7 Your System Needs To Be Repaired Frequently
If you have to call an HVAC company for multiple repairs during the cooling season, it may be time for a new air conditioner installation. Frequent repairs are a warning sign that your system is ready to go. You can continue having your system repaired; however, the repair bills will start adding up. This is a common sign that your air conditioner has reached the end of its lifespan, and a new air conditioner installation will be more cost-effective. In addition, having your air conditioner replaced will prevent a complete breakdown during the hottest time of the year, which is inevitable if your system needs to be repaired frequently.
#8 Your System Requires a Very Expensive Repair
If the air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home isn’t functioning properly, you will need to call a licensed HVAC company. The tech will examine your system to determine what is causing the problem and what they need to do to fix it. If you have an older system and the repair will be very expensive, a new air conditioner installation may be best. If your system has just a few good years left, it is more cost-effective to replace the system than waste money on an expensive repair when the system needs to be replaced soon.
#9 Your System Is Older Than 10 Years Old
The average cost to replace a central air conditioning system is around $5,000. Because this is a major investment, most Dallas, TX homeowners need to start saving or moving money around to ensure it is there when it is time for a new air conditioner installation.
If your system is older than 10 years old, you should start planning for a new air conditioner installation by getting your finances in order.
When your air conditioner reaches 10 years old, it may still function, but it won’t function efficiently. Every year, air conditioners become more advanced with new features and are more energy-efficient. Replacing your unit around the 10-year mark will ensure your home will be cool and comfortable all year long and can save you a significant amount of money on your energy bills.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Dallas?
If it is time for a new air conditioner installation, schedule an appointment with One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We are a fully licensed and insured HVAC company that has been serving customers in the area since 1988. Thanks to the excellent service we have been providing over the years, many of our customers have been loyal customers for as many as two decades.
We want you to feel safe when our HVAC techs are in your home, which is why our employees must register with the state of Texas and pass a background check and drug test before they are hired.
We want to be sure the techs we hire can handle any job, which is why our techs are NATE certified. They also must receive ongoing training. We have been in the HVAC business long enough to know that technology is evolving all the time. By requiring our techs to continue their education, you can be sure they can install, maintain and repair the latest HVAC equipment.
To schedule an appointment for a new air conditioner installation or any other HVAC service, give us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call today.