Common Indicators It Is Time For Air Conditioning Repair | Dallas, TX

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There are a lot of things in life that adults have to deal with that they don’t want to. There are simply some big-ticket purchases and repairs that are expensive and usually pushed off as long as possible. For instance, changing the timing belt on your car might be a chore or you are dreading or opening up your latest medical bill. Another big-ticket item that can bring some trepidation with it is air conditioning repair in Dallas, TX. A lot of people are so nervous about it that they put it off until their system breaks down completely and they have no choice but to call for air conditioning repair.

Interestingly enough, however, the easiest way to keep your bills low is by actually calling for a repair in Dallas, TX at the first sight of trouble. That’s right- putting off service is the number one way to drive up the costs of the visit. The longer you wait the more chances that there will be more worn-out parts and components that need to be replaced, heightening the costs of labor and parts exponentially.

The reason why is simple, when you first notice something off about your HVAC system there is a good chance that one piece is damaged or broken. Ignoring this sign allows the damaged or broken piece to continue to rub on others creating friction which starts to place more wear and tear on other parts. In addition, since the original part is no longer working, the remaining components will have to work harder to keep up and maintain your home’s temperature. The increased level of wear and tear ages your AC unit and eventually the entire thing will shut down.

At this point when you call for air conditioning repair you will be in a position where you have to make an expensive repair or completely replace your entire air conditioning unit. Given that both choices are expensive and probably not what you want to deal with, the idea that air conditioning repair is expensive starts to take root. This is the type of situation that makes someone feel that AC repair is out of their budget.

However, if you take a step back from the situation it becomes easier to see that the actual air conditioning repair is not what was expensive. In reality, it was the act of putting it off that caused more damage that made it expensive. Nine times out of ten if you contact a Dallas, TX HVAC professional for help with air conditioning repair at the first sight of trouble you won’t have to worry about high repair bills. While odd things can happen, most of the time the quicker you fix a problem the more affordable it will be.

Plus, as a bonus when you fix a failing system you restore its energy efficiency. The longer you allow a system to work at half-speed the more it is going to cost you in energy bills, so you end up paying one way or another when you look at the long-term costs of putting off air conditioning repair. If you are starting to come around to the idea of regular air conditioning repair, then you need to learn the common signs that something is wrong with your AC. By learning them, you will know when to call and when to wait so you always make the best decisions when it comes to one of the largest appliances in your home. Here are just a few of the largest signs.

There Isn’t Much Airflow

If your home feels like it isn’t cooling down even though you hear the AC running, it might be time to head over to one of your main air vents and check the airflow. If you notice that the airflow is hardly noticeable or significantly decreased from what it is usually is then you know you have a problem that requires air conditioning repair. Most of the time this is caused by a compressor that is starting to fail, but it also could signify that there is an issue with your air ducts. Believe it or not, you could have a clog in an air duct that is stopping the cool air from escaping.

The one thing that you can do before contacting an air conditioning repair company is checking your air filter. If your air filter is extremely dirty it also could be responsible for blocking the air into your home. This is actually the best-case scenario if you can fix this on your own. Simply change your air filter and wait for the AC to run again to see if that improves the airflow. If it does you are set, but if it doesn’t you will still need to call the local HVAC company. For the future, keep in mind that you need to change your air filter every three to five months, and sometimes even more frequently depending on the general state of your home and the amount of dust you track into your Dallas, TX home.

Warm Air Is Coming out of Vents

In some homes the problem isn’t diminished airflow, it is that the air that is coming out of the air vents is not actually cold. If you check your vents and discover that warm air is blowing out of the vents you have a clear issue that is going to require an air conditioning repair company. No one wants to pay high energy bills for effectively no reason, so if your AC is not blowing cold air it needs to be repaired. It is likely there is an issue with your condenser coil, compressor, or potentially a coolant leak but you won’t know until you have your system inspected by a qualified HVAC technician.

Thermostat Is Not Working Right

Your AC thermostat is like the brains of your AC unit. While the rest of the unit is responsible for mechanically producing cool air, the thermostat is responsible for telling the when and how much cool air to produce. When your home is properly cooling the thermostat is doing its job, but just like any other mechanical component of your AC unit, the thermostat can also malfunction. If you notice that your AC unit is short cycling or that it won’t flip on at all then there is a chance your thermostat is to blame.

While bothersome, it is better if your thermostat is broken versus the entire AC unit since the thermostat is a much easier fix. To determine if the thermostat is the cause of your issues you will need to call an air conditioning repair company and have them take a look. There are a lot of electrical components that connect the thermostat to the AC unit and a lot of room for errors, so it is important you allow a trained professional to handle the final diagnosis and if necessary, the replacement of your thermostat.

As a side note, if your thermostat does not need to be replaced you might consider choosing a smart version as your upgrade. Smart thermostats can save you a lot of money which can help offset some of the money that you are about to spend on air conditioning repair (plus they can be a lot of fun to play with on the side).

Strange Smells Coming Out of Vents

While most people don’t expect the AC to produce air that smells like poppies and roses, you also shouldn’t expect it to produce stinky air. If you notice that the air coming out of your air vents has a distinctive odor it is time to call for air conditioning repair in Dallas, TX. An electronic smell that resembles burning is one that needs to be checked right away because it could indicate a wiring issue that might be a fire risk whereas air that smells musty often signifies that there is mold growing in the actual unit or potentially hidden under your home in the ductwork. In either scenario, you need to take immediate action and call for air conditioning repair so that your family doesn’t get sick or the fire doesn’t put everyone in danger.

AC Won’t Turn On

Not much more needs to be said about this one, but in just case, if your AC won’t turn on you have an obvious issue that requires air conditioning repair. Some people wait with the hopes that something will magically change, but it is very unlikely that it will. If your AC won’t turn on this is a sign that something is wrong with the unit, your thermostat, or possibly your electrical wiring. You might want to take a peek into the basement to see if the circuit is flipped. If it is, you can attempt to reset the breaker and see if that helps. Every so once in a while, this can happen, but if you see it flip right back after it kicks on (and then off) you have an electrical issue that needs to be dealt with by a professional.

You Suspect Your AC Is Rapid Cycling

Rapid cycling is never a good sign when it comes to your AC system. Rapid cycling is in essence your AC starting and restarting constantly without much time in between. While it is normal for your AC to cycle throughout the day, and increase cycling as the days start to warm up in Dallas, TX, it is not normal for this to occur every five to ten minutes. If you notice rapid cycling you need to immediately call for air conditioning repair for several reasons.

First off, this will quickly jack up your energy bills as cycling consumes a great deal of energy. More disappointing might be the fact that despite paying more your home will likely not feel as cold as it should. This is because rapid cycling occurs when the AC is failing to meet the target temperature in your home.

Second, constantly cycling is an extreme strain on your system and will eventually lead to it breaking down prematurely. Wear and tear is the number one reason that AC units end up needing to be replaced, so you want to do everything in your power to reduce the amount of wear and tear on your unit. Rapid cycling is a clear indication that something is wrong so unless you want to deal with a new installation bill later on in the summer it is time to call for air conditioning repair.

Humidity in the Air

Another clear sign that your AC is not working properly is if there is a large amount of humidity in the air. One of the most important tasks of your AC is to reduce and/or remove the moisture in the air. Not only does this help keep your belongings safe and prevent the growth of mold, but it is part of what keeps you comfortable in your home. Even if the temperature in your home is in the seventies, you won’t feel comfortable if there is a high amount of humidity in your home making you sticky. For this reason, if you feel sticky and hot within your home it is time to call for help from an air conditioning repair company.

You Suspect a Leak Near Your AC Unit

Finally, any sign of leakage near your AC unit calls for immediate action because there is only one liquid that can leak from your AC- and that is the coolant which is extremely toxic and dangerous. If you see liquid dripping from the unit or see water pooling on the floor near your AC unit you need to call for immediate air conditioning repair to protect everyone in your family.

Have you noticed any of the above signs in your home or have another concern about your AC unit? Give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call and we will be happy to help find a solution.