Air Conditioning Repair And Maintenance Basics | Dallas, TX
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If you own an HVAC system in Dallas, TX, then you know how important air conditioning repair is when the temperature soars. One of the worst things that can happen to you during the summer months is an AC breakdown. Your goal should be to avoid this at all costs, which you can do if you know the signs that your AC may need repair. Chances are your HVAC system has been giving off hints that you need AC repair, but you may not know what they are.
Learning how to better respond to what your HVAC system is telling you is the first step towards a healthier AC system that will make it through a Dallas, TX summer without any issues. A few more are learning what sounds coming from your HVAC system mean and understanding the importance of annual maintenance. By learning about what your HVAC system needs you can avoid emergency AC repair and save some money on both your monthly energy bills and potential repair costs at the same time.
What Is a Routine Air Conditioning Repair Service?
If you have never looked into an air conditioning repair service, you may not be aware of what an annual service consists of. As a new homeowner, it is very understandable that you may not be aware that your HVAC system needs to be maintained, but like any piece of machinery, if you don’t properly keep up with it then it will break down faster.
An easier way to view your HVAC system is like your automobile. You would never think twice about changing the oil in your car because you know that regular oil changes are the only way to keep your car working for years to come. In the same fashion, you need to routinely have your AC maintenanced otherwise it will fall apart and breakdown quicker.
As part of routine air conditioning service in Dallas, TX an HVAC tech will come out to your home and thoroughly inspect both the inside and outside components of your AC system. They will then clean out both systems entirely and remove any fallen debris around the condenser. This process also includes thorough lubrication of all moving pieces which is very similar to the concept behind an oil change.
They will also clean out the evaporator which is the indoors component of your AC system and ensure that it is free of dust and mold which is vital if you want to ensure that the air you breathe inside of your home is as clean as possible. You would be surprised at what can build up inside of a system when there is not a routine air conditioning service.
At the end of the visit, the HVAC tech will offer you a formal report of what they found during the service call and if they recommend any air conditioning repair. As part of the inspection, they are carefully looking at all components inside of the system and will note if they see any components that appear to be damaged or worn down. Repairing these items proactively can help prevent an unforeseen breakdown, which is why many HVAC techs will recommend air conditioning repair following the tune-up. As a homeowner, however, you have the option of taking their suggestions or waiting on them.
Benefits of Regular Air Conditioning Service
There are many benefits that come along with regular air conditioning service. First of all, as lightly mentioned above when you hire someone to inspect your HVAC system you get a good idea of its general condition. If they note that you need air conditioning repair, you can make arrangements on the spot. Oftentimes they can make minor repairs on the same day, but if they need to order a replacement part they don’t keep in stock then it might take three to four days for the part to arrive.
Now imagine that you don’t make the AC repair they suggest and that part causes your entire system to break down in the middle of a Dallas, TX summer. Even if you are able to schedule prompt air conditioning repair, you will have to wait four to five days for a new part in the heat of a Texas summer. However, if you heed their advice following the air service you will skip a breakdown altogether and save money and comfort.
Another benefit of regular AC service is that it will make your HVAC system more efficient. Cleaning out the dust and grime while lubricating all moving components enables your HVAC system to work at its peak performance levels, which means you save a considerable amount of money on your energy bills. It makes good sense to pay once a year to tune-up your system versus paying more every month on heating and energy costs. The savings will add up and usually end up making the tune-up call worth it.s
One more great reason to consider regular air conditioning service is that doing so may actually extend the lifespan of your HVAC unit. The same way that a regularly serviced vehicle will last longer, an HVAC system that receives a tune-up every year will likely last longer than one that does not. Given how much an HVAC system costs, extending the lifespan by five years will save you a lot of money and give you time to budget if you need to replace it with a new one down the line.
Finally, scheduling a regular air conditioning repair service may actually keep your warranty valid which is very important given the high costs of an HVAC system. A lot of people think they can skip the annual service call after buying a new HVAC system because they think that since it is new it shouldn’t have any problems or need to be cleaned. However, most manufacturers require that you service your HVAC system every year or you will void the warranty. Imagine paying full price for an HVAC system and then dying for some inexplicable reason after a year of use, but finding out the warranty was void because you didn’t pay for a service call. You don’t want this to happen, so if you haven’t yet, now is the time to think about scheduling your air conditioning repair service visit.
Identifying Odd Sounds from Your AC System
Now that you know what and why you need an annual routine service visit, it is time to talk about some of the ways that your HVAC system may be trying to talk to you. There are a lot of sounds that an AC system can make if something is wrong, but the bottom line is that your HVAC system should not be making any noises. If you are hearing any noises this is a definite sign that you need to schedule air conditioning repair in Dallas, TX.
To start, do you ever hear a buzzing noise around your condenser? While it is normal to hear the machine humming when the AC is running, it should not make any other noises. A buzzing noise often indicates that something is wrong with the compressor. Even more worrisome, it might mean that there is a leak in the refrigerant. In the best-case scenario, it is a signal that there is a loose part, but you won’t know for sure which one of these it is until you schedule air conditioning repair and get to the bottom of the issue.
Another common sign that can indicate trouble is a clicking noise that is coming from any component of your AC system. If you hear the clicking noise coming from the condenser outside of your home then there is probably either a piece of debris stuck in the blades that are clicking as it gets hit each time, or something is wrong with your compressor. Either way, you need to have an air conditioning repair tech take a look because you don’t want to damage your system which will happen if you ignore a real issue.
On the other hand, if you hear the clicking noise from inside of your home near the AC system then there is a good chance that the problem is coming from the air handler. Once again, you should have someone investigate the issue because you don’t want to ignore it and have it cause larger issues down the road.
Ready for another common noise? A squealing noise coming from your inside unit most likely signifies that there is a problem with the blower’s fan belt. You will need to take action or the fan belt can snap which will shut down your entire HVAC system until it can be fixed. A lot of times if you promptly schedule air conditioning repair when you start noticing the screeching noise you won’t even need to replace your belt. Instead, the HVAC tech will simply lubricate the belt and nearby components and it will function as good as new again. Just a word of warning, don’t try to lubricate this on your own because it is not the same type of oil used for other pieces of machinery.
Other Signs It Is Time for Air Conditioning Repair in Frisco, TX
An array of noises are not the only signs that it may be time for air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX. There are other signs that you should watch for in your home. For instance, high humidity levels inside of your home suggest that your AC is not able to properly cool and purify the air throughout your home. It may need a simple tune-up as part of an air conditioning repair service, or you may need to invest in a dehumidifier to solve the problem.
Another common sign that you need to contact someone for air conditioning repair is if you notice that your airflow is diminished. If it seems like less air is coming out of your air vents then usual there is a good chance that there is a clog somewhere inside of the HVAC system. A professional tech can inspect your system and quickly get to the bottom of the clog and restore airflow to the rest of your house. There is always a chance that the clog is your dirty air filter, so it pays to take a peek before calling an HVAC company. If the air filter is extremely dirty try replacing it and see if that restores the airflow to the rest of your home.
A clear-cut sign that you need to call for air conditioning repair is if you notice that the air coming out of your vents is at room temperature. If your AC is blowing air but it isn’t cold this usually is either an issue with the compressor or the refrigerant. Both scenarios should only be addressed by a professional, so make the call to a local HVAC company. Keep in mind that if the air blowing throughout your home is not cool, you are essentially running and paying for an AC system that is functioning as an expensive fan. Therefore, the sooner you call the more comfortable everyone in your home will be.
Finally, always be on the lookout for leaks around your AC system. There should never be a leak or any signs of water damage near your system. If there is, it is very possible that the solution on the floor is actually refrigerant which is highly toxic to plants and animals. At any signs of a leak you always want to call for air conditioning repair in Dallas, TX.
Noticed one of these signs in your home or thinking about scheduling an annual service call? Give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call and we will be glad to help you out.