The 6 Things That Happen When You Skip Regular Air Conditioning Service | Dallas, TX
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Would you ever think about skipping oil changes for a year? Unless you don’t drive your car at all, this is an obviously bad idea. Regular oil changes protect your car, skipping them will most likely lead to your car breaking down and possibly needing replaced long before it should. In a similar fashion, air conditioning service in Dallas, TX is extremely important if you want to make sure you protect your HVAC system. While you can skip air conditioning service, the end result is going to be that eventually, your HVAC system is going to need air conditioning repair sooner than you had planned and you will probably end up replacing it a lot earlier than its scheduled lifespan.
Like a vehicle, an HVAC system is a major expense, so you want to keep up with regular air conditioning service and air conditioning repair to protect your investment. Spending a little money each year is a lot cheaper than buying a completely new unit, and it is fair to say that your AC works extremely hard during the summer. While it is possible that you don’t drive your car too frequently, it is impossible to believe that your AC is not running hard every single day of a hot Dallas, TX summer.
Imagine finding yourself stranded on a hot and humid day without any AC looking for an available air conditioning repair company. That is exactly what will happen if you do not book a regular air conditioning service among many other issues. If you are wondering how much you really need that air conditioning service then this is the right blog for you. As HVAC professionals we have seen exactly what happens when people don’t book their annual service, and we are here to tell you that none of the results are that great. It actually works out better for us when people skip their visits as we get more air conditioning repair calls, so believe us when we say that maintenance is not a racket.
It is the number one thing that you can do to keep your AC working all summer long. Whether or not you take our word for it, you will see one of the following things happen (if not all of them) if you continue to skip regular air conditioning repair and service. Keep reading to find out exactly what happens when you skip out on your annual air conditioning service visit.
Reduced HVAC Performance
The very first thing you will probably notice is that your energy bills will slowly rise throughout the summer, and not because you are using your AC more frequently. While this may contribute, the largest reason why your energy bills will rise is that your HVAC system will not run as smoothly as it once did. As part of the air conditioning repair service, your AC system is cleaned both inside and out. During the cleaning process, the technician will also be carefully inspecting your system to see if there are any loose parts or any parts that are starting to wear down.
Identifying and repairing these issues before they become major issues is the key to optimal HVAC performance. It isn’t hard to see why. For instance, if there is a loose piece or a component that is breaking down, then it will not do its job as well forcing other components to work harder. Unfortunately, it will diminish the performance of your HVAC system overall which means that your AC will have to cycle more frequently to keep your home cooled to the same levels.
Your HVAC system consumes the most energy when it first kicks on, so the more frequently it has to kick on the more frequently it consumes energy. The goal should be an HVAC system that cycles evenly throughout the day. If it isn’t working as well you will probably notice inconsistent cycling or eventually maybe running all day just to cool your home to the same level it was before. This shift will be very noticeable in your energy bills, and it is a complication that can be easily prevented by properly maintaining your AC with a regular air conditioning service. If you notice that your AC is cycling constantly, then you need to call for air conditioning repair right now.s
Reduced Lifespan of Your HVAC System
Keep in mind that if your AC is working harder than usual it will also start to wear out sooner. You cannot avoid wear and tear on your HVAC system because all machines wear out over time with use. At the end of the day, your HVAC system is just an expensive piece of machinery that will corrode and fall apart, but you can delay the aging process by making sure that you reduce as much wear and tear as you can.
You should absolutely use your AC every day if that is what it takes to keep your Dallas, TX home cool, but you should not skip your air conditioning service if that is what is required. As mentioned wear and tear is not preventable, but increased wear and tear is preventable and usually solved by conscientious attention to servicing. Making sure that you promptly call for air conditioning repair when needed is another way to keep your HVAC system ready to go.
The bottom line is that it is much cheaper to book an annual air conditioning service than it is to replace your AC unit before its lifetime is up. If you replace your unit two to three years earlier each time, in just a few decades you will effectively have purchased one extra AC unit. Think about that for a minute and you will see how important it is to service your unit. No one in their right mind would agree to purchase an extra AC unit, so you don’t want to take any actions that cause that to be a reality for your home.
Increased Safety Concerns
Outside of paying more for air conditioning repair or possibly replacing your unit early, there are other very real concerns that come with skipping regular air conditioning service. Skipping your annual visit can actually lead to some very real safety concerns since no one has checked or tested your HVAC system in the interim. One of the best ways to keep your HVAC system and your home safe is to have it inspected at least once a year. Like any other major appliance within your home, your HVAC system is an intricate machine that can be potentially deadly if it is not working correctly.
One of the biggest issues is a fire risk. Your HVAC machine depends on the use of gas and electricity, and this combination can be deadly if something goes wrong. When working properly there is a very low risk of fire, but over time the machine equipment can start to degrade and fall apart. At this point, the risk becomes much higher, even more so if it is not being inspected for these problems or you do not call for air conditioning repair when you suspect an issue. If a slow gas leak starts to develop and one spark occurs within the system instant combustion could be the result.
While this is not a common occurrence, in almost every situation that it does occur it is linked back to poor maintenance. You do not have the proper qualifications to inspect your machine to make sure it is safe, but a trained HVAC tech does which is why proper air conditioning repair and service is so vital. As part of servicing, the HVAC technician will carefully examine the gas line and test it to ensure that there are not any leaks at any point in the system. They will also inspect all electrical carefully to make sure that all connections are tight and there are no fraying electrical wires that may cause an unintended spark. If they do notice any issues they will promptly recommend air conditioning repair to take care of the issue.
Another big issue that should be immediately addressed with proper air conditioning repair if suspected is a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless which is why it is extremely dangerous. It could infiltrate your home and you would have no idea if you don’t have carbon monoxide detectors around your home. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off and it seems to be pointing to your AC you need to call for air conditioning repair right away in Dallas, TX. You also should open all of the windows in your home and exit your home until the problem is addressed.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is an even tougher challenge in Dallas, TX during the summer months because most people have their homes shut up tightly. Fresh air cannot get in through any other outlet, which gives carbon monoxide the ability to accumulate to dangerous levels. The best thing you can do to keep your family safe is schedule regular air conditioning repair and service as needed, and keep a CO detector on every layer of your home.
Finally, the last safety risk pertains to your property and relates to flood damage. You would never open your door and invite water to just pour into your home. If you aren’t having your AC system regularly serviced then you may be doing just that. Clogs can form in the drainpipe of your system which will eventually result in flooding if you don’t do anything about the situation. When this occurs, most people have no idea that the drainpipe exists, let alone has a clog. As part of a regular air conditioning service call, the technician will inspect the drainpipe, and if they see any type of obstruction forming will clean it out or recommend air conditioning repair depending on the situation. This gives you the opportunity to get ahead of any potential problems and can save you from a flood in your basement or utility closet that results in flood damage and possible mold growth.
Increased Humidity
Outside of hot temperatures, one of the major reasons that you feel uncomfortable during Dallas, TX summer is the high humidity levels. Dry heat is much easier to tolerate than humid heat, and if the humidity levels are getting high in your home you will know exactly what we are talking about. Even if your AC is keeping your home at a comfortable temperature if the humidity levels are high then you won’t actually be comfortable. High humidity levels within your home signify that your AC is not working correctly and you should seek out air conditioning repair right away.
One of the perks of regular air conditioning service is that the HVAC technician will recognize if the humidity levels are rising in your home and can perform the appropriate air conditioning repair ahead of time so that you aren’t sweating in the middle of summer while inside of your home. If you are paying the energy costs associated with running your AC around the clock, then you should be comfortable within your home.
In addition, humidity levels can cause damage to items in your home if they are sustained for a long period of time. Humidity can cause clothes, leather, wood, and other items to mold, warp, and deteriorate over time. Therefore, failing to schedule air conditioning repair can actually lead to damage and mold growth within your home which are significant issues unto themselves.
If any of these issues sound like a cause for alarm, then it is time to call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas and schedule an air conditioning repair and service today. Most of these issues can be prevented with simple proactive action, so make the phone call today.