AC Repair | The Colony, TX
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We are at the end of summer and touch wood there have been no problems with your air conditioner. People in The Colony, TX will still use their units long after the summer finishes, so is there anything you can do to keep them in tip-top shape? We at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas will strongly suggest that you have your air conditioner serviced before next year. The service will mean that any minor problems are corrected before you need an expensive AC repair. You will save money on your energy bills as your unit will be running more efficiently.
How Does Your Air Conditioner Work?
A basic working knowledge of how your air conditioner works will help you understand any warning signs that there is something wrong before you need an AC repair. Spotting these signs early will allow you to take corrective action before your air conditioner breaks down. If you have not had a service, this may be a good time to book an appointment from One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas.
Most air conditioners are in two parts, the first part is located inside your home and contains the evaporator coils, compressor, and fan. The second part is located outside your home and contains the condenser, cooling fins, and another fan. The coils, compressor, condenser, and cooling are all linked by a loop of copper tubing. Inside the tubing is the coolant which transfers the heat from the warm air inside your home to the outside. The coolant is pumped through the copper tubing by the compressor. Inside the evaporator coils, the coolant absorbs the heat from the warm air, which is extracted from your home and blown over the coils by the fan. The coolant is pumped outside to the condenser and cooling fins, and the heat is lost to the outside air, aided by the other fan. Once the heat is lost the coolant continues its journey back inside your home to the evaporator coils and the cycle repeats itself.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs an AC Repair
Running Costs Increase as It Gets Older
Over time, wear and tear will reduce the efficiency of each component. The components will have to work harder to maintain the temperature in your home, using more energy and pushing up your energy bills. The components are more likely to break down and need an AC repair. A well-maintained air conditioner will give between ten to fifteen years of good service, but if yours is playing up and starting to need more repairs to keep going, it may be worth considering having a replacement.
You Experience Less Cooling from Your Unit
Without enough coolant in the evaporator coils, they will not be able to absorb as much heat from the warm air. The air blown back into your home in The Colony, TX will therefore be warmer. Checking the coolant levels is one of the many checks performed during a service call.
Humidity Level Has Increased
Because warmer air carries more moisture than cooler air, should the air being blown back into your home be warmer then it will also be more humid?
Frost and Ice Builds on the Evaporator Coils
If the coolant levels in your air conditioner drop or there is a reduction in the amount of warm air blown over the evaporator coils, then the coils could start to freeze over. The most obvious sign of this is the formation of frost and ice on the coils. Other causes of this problem include a dirty air filter or a fault with the fan blowing the warm air over the coils. The coolant levels will be checked during the service and topped up, if necessary, the air filter will be cleaned or replaced, and the fan thoroughly checked out.
If you ignore the build-up of frost and ice, the evaporator coils will freeze, and the air conditioner will shut down. You will be without your unit for up to 24-hours as the coils thaw out. If this is repeated too many times, eventually you will need an AC repair.
AC Drain Line and Drain Pan Are Blocked
Once the warm air is cooled after passing over the evaporator coils, any moisture will condense into water and collect in the drain pan. This water will flow outside your home through the AC drain line. The presence of this moisture will increase the chance that mold and algae will grow in the drain pan and AC drain line. Unless they are cleaned regularly as they are during a service call, this will cause a blockage. The water collected in the drain pan will overflow into the air conditioner and then onto your floor. This water could cause a short circuit in the electrics, and you will need an AC repair.
Strange Smells
The mold and algae growing in the drain pan and AC drain line could help explain any moldy smell in your home. Any overheating components or loose solder could give off a burning smell. If you detect these smells you need to call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas straight away for an AC repair. The burning smell could be a sign of a potential fire.
Damaged Air Ducts
The air ducts are probably the dirtiest part of your home. Dust usually from human skin has probably been accumulating for many years in the ducts, and this is something you may want to have cleaned later. An inspection will be made of the air ducts to see if they or the joints have been damaged. It is believed that up to thirty percent of your air conditioner’s energy output is wasted when cool air escapes through gaps or holes. Not only is this a waste of money, but you increase the risk that you need an AC repair as your conditioner is having to work harder to keep your home at the temperature and humidity required.
For a Reliable Air Conditioning Company
Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We have been serving the people of The Colony, TX for many years. People turn to us as we offer a quality and affordable AC repair service. If you check all the positive reviews online, you can see why!