AC Repair: How You Can Tell That Your Air Conditioner Is Losing Efficiency | Plano, TX
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Your air conditioner is responsible for keeping your Plano, TX home comfortable, particularly in summer when the weather can get uncomfortably hot. However, given the amount of work it has to do, it is also one of the most noticeable consumers of electricity in your house. The good news is that the air conditioner is designed to operate efficiently and consume the minimum amount of energy to give you optimum results. But with time, the air conditioner can become less efficient as wear and tear take effect on its optimal conditions. Fortunately, this does not happen without notice, and therefore, you will most likely get early signs when your air conditioner starts losing its efficiency. As such, it is not hard for you to determine the right time to call an AC repair expert to rectify issues of HVAC inefficiency. But how exactly can you tell that your air conditioner is losing its efficiency in order to call a repair service quickly?
The Age of Your Air Conditioner
Your air conditioner is quite a durable appliance. However, the reality is that it is not designed to last forever. On average, air conditioners are designed to last 10 to 15 years. As your air conditioner approaches the end of its life, it is likely going to require more energy than usual to keep your indoor temperatures within a comfortable range. In other words, if your air conditioner is more than a decade old, most of its essential parts might be extensively worn out, meaning that it might be running on more electricity than it is designed to. Therefore, once your air conditioner goes above the age of 10 years, you need to start talking to your AC repair expert about the need to get it replaced on time.
Your Air Conditioner Runs Constantly
For your air conditioner to consume the minimum amount of energy, it should run only when it is necessary. Therefore, your air conditioner should be on only when the temperature is above the desired range. It should then go off as soon as the desired temperature range has been achieved. Of course, when it is extremely hot, you can expect your air conditioner to run for extended periods. However, it shouldn’t run constantly. If it keeps running even after the ideal temperature has been achieved, then there is a serious efficiency problem. In addition to consuming more electricity than it should, a constantly running air conditioner is also likely to cost you more in repairs due to rapid wear and tear. Therefore, you need to call your AC expert as soon as you notice that your air conditioner is running constantly.
Unexplained Electricity Bills Hikes
Since your air conditioner is one of the biggest consumers of electricity in your house, a decline in its efficiency will certainly be reflected in your electricity bills. Therefore, if there is a sharp increase in your electricity consumption, but your utility company has not increased its cost per unit, it is likely that your air conditioner is running inefficiently for some reason. This can happen due to several reasons, including poor maintenance, leaky ducts, poor air circulation, and low refrigerating levels, among others. Whatever the underlying issue might be, you need a professional AC repair expert to pinpoint it and advise you on what you need to do to keep your air conditioner working efficiently. Professional AC services deal with such issues every day, and they know the tests they need to run to determine whether your air conditioner is to blame for the rising electricity bills.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
In addition to keeping your indoor air temperatures within a comfortable range, your air conditioner also helps with ensuring that your indoor air is free of particulate pollutants. As such, the air conditioner has air filters for this purpose. However, it is worth noting that as the filters trap dust, they get dirty and they might eventually become clogged. Unfortunately, clogged filters can hinder the free circulation of air and make it more difficult for your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable. As such, dirty or clogged air filters might force your air conditioner to work harder than usual and consume more electricity than necessary. To prevent such an eventuality, you need to work with your AC repair expert to ensure that the filters are cleaned or replaced on time.
Frequent Repairs
Of course, you can expect your air conditioner to break down like any other appliance and make it necessary for you to call an AC repair expert. However, the calls to your AC repair service should be few and far apart. If you have to call your HVAC repair company too often, then it is likely that your air conditioner is probably working harder and consuming more energy than necessary. This could be happening due to poor maintenance and aging. But whatever the cause might be, you need a trustworthy AC repair service to advise you on what needs to be done to fix the issue decisively.
The Bottom Line
Overall, it is apparent that many issues could cause your air conditioner to run inefficiently. The good news is that it is not hard for you to tell when your air conditioner is consuming more energy than necessary. Besides, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your air conditioner is always running optimally. If you are looking for a reliable AC repair service in Plano, TX, to guide you on what needs to be done to keep your air conditioner running efficiently, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas is an excellent HVAC company to consider. We have been helping homeowners take care of their HVAC systems for many years, and you can count on our expertise to keep your HVAC system running optimally. Feel free to contact us today for more information about our company and the services we offer in Plano, TX.