Air Conditioner Installation | Irving, TX
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Summer in Irving, TX, is very hot. When the temperature outside is in the ’80s and ’90s, you rely greatly on your air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable. Even though we’re coming out of the summer months we still are experiencing some extra hot fall days.
Many people spend more time in their homes during the summer to escape the heat outside. If your air conditioner isn’t functioning correctly, you won’t have an escape.
In a perfect world, your air conditioner will last your entire life. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and your air conditioner won’t last forever. The average lifespan of a central air conditioning system is between 10 and 12 years old. When your system has reached its maximum lifespan, your home won’t be as cool and comfortable as you need it to be.
The best way to prevent comfort issues is to recognize the signs that it is time for a new air conditioner installation. If you can identify the signs early, you can start planning to have your system replaced. Waiting too long and not recognizing the early signs could cause your system to break down completely, and it won’t produce cold air at all.
If your air conditioner is experiencing any of the following issues, it is likely time for a new air conditioner installation.
#1 Age
The age of your air conditioner can let you know if it is time for a replacement. The average lifespan of the air conditioner in your home is between 10 and 12 years. Having your air conditioner maintained every year will help it last longer; however, a point will come where it is too old and will no longer function. If your air conditioner is over 10 years old, you should start thinking about a new air conditioner installation. After 10 years, your air conditioner won’t function as efficiently as it should and may require frequent repairs.
If you aren’t sure how old your air conditioner is because you recently purchased your home, there are a couple of ways you can find out without calling every HVAC company in a 25-mile radius.
First, check the nameplate on the air conditioner. It is often located on the outdoor unit on the backside. There should be a “manufacture date” or an “MFG date” on the plate to let you know how old your air conditioner actually is.
If you cannot find the date on the plate, you can get it using the model number and serial number, which is also located on the nameplate in the back of the outdoor unit. The manufacture date is embedded in the serial number and model number. Fortunately, you won’t have to stare at the numbers for hours trying to decipher the date. You simply need to Google the brand name, model number, and serial number to find the manufacture date.
If you discover that the system is 10 years old or older, it is time to think about a new air conditioner installation.
#2 Strange Sounds
When the air conditioner in your Irving, TX home is functioning correctly, it should be relatively quiet. You will hear a faint clicking sound. Any other sounds signify an issue with the air conditioner. If you hear any of the following sounds, there is a cause for concern.
- Grinding
- Scraping
- Squealing
- Continuous loud pops
- Continuous loud bangs
These signs could signify something minor that can be easily repaired; however, it could be something worse. These sounds often signify a major problem with the main components, such as the compressor, condenser, coil, or the blower.
If the component has failed or cannot be repaired, you will need to schedule an appointment for a new air conditioner installation.
Allowing the problem to persist will cause more damage, and your system will eventually break down completely. It is best to call an HVAC tech immediately to find out if the issue can be repaired or if it is time for a new air conditioner.
#3 Foul Smells When the System Is Running
When your air conditioner is running, it should produce clean, odorless, cold air. If you smell something strange when your air conditioner is running, you will need to call an HVAC tech.
If there is a moldy or musty smell, the HVAC tech will first check the air ducts for the presence of mold. If they find any, the mold can easily be eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger.
If the air ducts are clear, there could be mold in the system itself, which can be difficult to eradicate. If it isn’t possible for the HVC tech to clear out the mold, they will suggest a new air conditioner installation. The smell won’t fade until you do, and you could be putting your family’s health at risk.
If there is a burning smell when your air conditioner is running, the unit’s wire insulation has likely burned out, which would require an air conditioner replacement.
The sooner you call an HVAC professional, the sooner you will know what is causing the foul smells, and the issue can be resolved, whether with a repair or a new air conditioner installation.
#4 Your Energy Bills Have Increased
If you have lived in your Irving, TX home for at least one summer, you will have an idea of what your summer energy bills will be. If your bill during the summer has increased significantly, your air conditioner could be to blame.
When your air conditioner is close to the end of its lifespan, it won’t function as efficiently as possible. It will be difficult for the system to keep your home cool, causing it to work harder than necessary. This extra work will cause your energy bills to increase.
The only way to solve the problem is with a new air conditioner installation. At a certain point, there is nothing an HVAC tech can do to make the system function more efficiently, and you will need a replacement.
Trying to ignore the problem will only cost you the money you shouldn’t need to spend, and your home won’t be as cool and comfortable as you like. It is best to start planning for an air conditioner installation as soon as you discover the increase in your energy bills.
#5 High Humidity Levels
The air conditioner in your Irving, TX home is designed to do more than produce cold air. It is also designed to remove the humidity from the air, keeping your home more comfortable.
If your home is more humid than usual, your air conditioner may have reached the end of its lifespan and can no longer do its job correctly.
An HVAC tech can try to recalibrate your system; however, if it is old, you will need to schedule an appointment for a new air conditioner installation. If your system has reached the end of its lifespan, your home won’t be comfortable until you replace your air conditioner.
#6 Poor Airflow
When you stand near the vents in your Irving, TX home, you should feel a rush of cold air when your air conditioner is running. If the airflow is poor, you should call an HVAC company.
The issue could be clogged or damaged air ducts, which are both relatively easy to resolve. However, poor airflow could also be due to a failing compressor, or your system has reached the end of its lifespan. If either of these is the cause of your airflow issues, it may be time for a new air conditioner installation.
Poor airflow will cause your system to work overtime, which will cause your energy bills to rise. It is best to find out right away if you have an issue that can be repaired or if you will need a new air conditioner installation.
#7 The Repair Cost Will Be Half the Cost of Your Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner is acting up, you will need an HVAC tech to determine what is causing the problem and what they need to do to resolve the issue. If your air conditioner is several years old and the tech quotes you a repair cost that is half of what you paid for your air conditioner, a new air conditioner replacement is the more cost-effective option. New air conditioners are more energy-efficient than your older unit. In addition, paying for such an expensive repair is a waste of money because, in a few years, you won’t have any choice but a new air conditioner installation.
#8 Your System Needs Frequent Repairs
When your air conditioner is close to the end of its lifespan, it isn’t uncommon for frequent issues to arise that will need to be repaired. If you keep having the system fixed, again and again, you are throwing your hard-earned money out the window. Making frequent repairs on an older system is similar to putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound.
Rather than spending a fortune on frequent repairs, it would be best if you started planning for a new air conditioner installation. An HVAC tech can install a brand new, more energy-efficient system that won’t require multiple repairs. A new air conditioner installation is more cost-effective than having your old system repaired again and again.
#9 Your Air Conditioner Uses R-22 Refrigerant
The air conditioner in your Irving, TX home relies on refrigerant to produce cold air. Over time, you will need to have the refrigerant refilled. If your system is leaking refrigerant, it will need to be refilled after the leak is fixed.
If you have an older model air conditioner that uses R-22 refrigerant, you have a significant problem on your hands.
The Environmental Protection Agency deemed R-22 toxic and harmful to the environment. When the EPA made the announcement, the production of R-22 slowed down. On January 1, 2020, the United States government banned the production of R-22.
If your system is low on refrigerant or is leaking refrigerant, the HVAC tech won’t be able to find R-22, which will require a new air conditioner installation.
If your system uses R-22 and you want to be proactive, you should start planning for a new air conditioner installation. If you wait until your system is low on refrigerant or there is a refrigerant leak, it can be days before you can have a new air conditioner installed. These will be days suffering in your hot and humid home.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Dallas?
If you are due for a new air conditioner installation and want to work with the best in the business, contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We have been serving customers in the area since 1988. We take pride in the excellent service we provide. Thanks to our excellent service, many of our customers have been loyal customers for as many as 20 years.
Our HVAC techs are highly trained, and NATE certified. Before they are hired, they are required to pass a drug test, background check, and register with the state of Texas. We want our customers to feel safe when they let our techs into their homes.
If it is time to replace your existing air conditioner, our staff can give you the most recent information about programs to help you save money on your new air conditioner.
We understand that many families live on a budget. If you need to have your air conditioner replaced, we will do whatever possible to stay within your budget.
Our experienced HVAC techs can help you choose the correct size system for the size of your home, ensuring you don’t install a system that is too small and cannot cool your home or too large, which will waste a lot of energy.
The comfort of your home is important to us, and we understand that HVAC issues can arise at the most inconvenient times. This is why we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your HVAC system starts acting up when our office is closed, we will do our best to get to your home as quickly as we would if you had called during regular business hours.
To schedule an appointment for a new air conditioner installation or any other HVAC service, give us a call today.