When to Call For Air Conditioning Repair | Frisco, TX
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It’s almost that time in Frisco, TX – time to turn your AC system on. Once it goes on it probably won’t go off again for another 5-6 months which means you want to make sure that it is ready to face the long summer. The last thing you want to do is find yourself in need of air conditioning repair in the thick of summer. A great way to prevent this occurrence is by scheduling a regular AC servicing and knowing the signs of air conditioning repair so that you can proactively address any issues as they pop up instead of finding yourself stranded.
Benefits of Annual Air Conditioning Repair & Servicing
If you are not familiar with annual air conditioning servicing there are a lot of benefits that come with scheduling a service. In fact, one of the biggest reasons to do this is because a regular service will help you avoid unplanned air conditioning repair. During air conditioning service the HVAC tech will thoroughly clean out your AC system and check each component along the way. If they see anything that looks like it is wearing down or already damaged they will replace it during the service visit instead of waiting until it breaks completely and shuts down your system.
This can be extremely beneficial when you consider the fact that sometimes it can take three to five days to order a replacement part. If your air conditioning is completely broken down then you will have no choice but to tough out the hot summer heat for a few days. On the other hand, if you call your local HVAC company and schedule air conditioning repair proactively then the replacement part will be in place before it has a chance to break.
Additionally, a lot of HVAC manufacturers require their customers to have their units serviced at least once a year in order to keep their warranty valid. Therefore, while a new system may not need much maintenance, it pays for you to stay on top of your yearly visit in the event that something does go wrong. Nothing should go wrong with your AC system within its first year of life, but if it does you want to ensure that your warranty is protecting your investment. Paying a small amount to have your system inspected each year is a great way to ensure that you are safe in the event that something unexpected does occur.
Finally, regular HVAC servicing is smart if you have someone in your home with allergies or asthma. As part of an annual AC system servicing the HVAC technician will clean both the indoor and outdoor components of your system. You would be surprised at how quickly dirt and dust can accumulate inside of a system, and then the duster particles are pushed back into the air that you breathe. Cleaning out the grime, dust, and debris inside of your AC and cleaning your air filters are the best ways to ensure that the air in your home stays clean.
As a side note, you should be changing your air filter at least once every three to five months. This is the key to making sure that your HVAC system is running efficiently and blowing clean air. Try to get on a schedule that is similar to your oil change schedule if you find it hard to remember. If you are not sure how to change the air filter in your HVAC system ask the tech next time you schedule air conditioning repair to show you how.
Signs That You Need Air Conditioning Repair
While annual maintenance can help catch a lot of problems before they become large issues, there are still occasionally going to be air conditioning repair issues that need to be addressed. In the perfect world, you would never have an unexpected breakdown, but that simply doesn’t exist. As an HVAC unit ages the chances that you will need air conditioning repair at some point increase. Therefore, it is useful to know what the signs of impending air conditioning repair are so that you can proactively get an HVAC technician into your home before the entire system shuts down. The following are a few of the most common signs that should tip you off to your AC needs.
Your Energy Bills Keep Increasing
Increasing energy bills are never a great sign. Whether your HVAC system is to blame or something else in your home, no one wants to push their household budget any tighter than it already is. However, while it is normal for every bill to fluctuate due to changing energy costs, sometimes the reason is that your appliances may not be as efficient as they once were. A significant rise in your energy bills right as summer hits means there is a good chance that something is wrong with your AC. Calling an HVAC system to take a look and/or perform a maintenance visit can actually catch problems that might be making it less efficient.
Your Home Is Cooling Unevenly
Another sign that it may be time for air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX is if you notice that there are hot and cold spots around your home. Ideally, your home should all be one temperature although it is not uncommon for a home to be warmer on the second floor since heat rises. If the temperature difference is very noticeable however or you have hot and cold spots on both floors then you need to have an HVAC technician take a look. Usually, this problem is caused by issues with the insulation in your home or an AC system that is not working fully. Either way, you will want to get the problem addressed so that you can enjoy cool air anywhere in your home instead of just in one spot.
Your HVAC System Is Making a Lot of Noise
It is normal to hear your HVAC system humming gently when it first turns on, but you shouldn’t hear anything loud or obnoxious coming from it. Buzzing, screeching, banging, or clinking noises are all noises that should not be ignored. A lot of homeowners think that the noise will work itself out and try to ignore it, but this rarely is the case. At the first notice of anything weird or unnatural, you should call for air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX.
Usually, these types of noises indicate that a component is broken or rubbing on itself. If you don’t address the broken piece right away by getting air conditioning repair it will rub and create enough friction that another part snaps. Before too long you might be dealing with a major breakdown that could have been much more easily contained if it was promptly addressed.
Therefore, regardless of what type of noise you hear coming from your AC unit, it is wise to immediately call for help. Keep in mind this pertains to both the indoor and the outdoor units because components can go wrong with both and lead to terrible problems and once again a breakdown in the middle of summer that you don’t want to find yourself dealing with.
The AC Is Leaking
A leak coming from any part of your HVAC system is never a good sign and is always a reason to immediately call for air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX. A lot of people don’t spend a lot of time near their HVAC system and miss the leak altogether until all the refrigerant is gone and your system is no longer cooling. It is best however if you catch the leak when it first starts so that it can be dealt with properly without disturbing your AC’s ability to cool your home. With this in mind, make it a point to peak around your AC at least once a month or anytime you happen to be in the basement just to ensure everything looks good.
A leak is a big issue with an AC unit because it usually means that refrigerant is leaking. This is a terrible spot to find yourself in since the refrigerant is highly flammable, poisonous, and needs to be addressed by a professional. This is not something that you can attempt to take care of on your own and it needs to be addressed quickly if you have children or pets in your home that might mistake it for water. For this reason, never delay calling for air conditioning repair if you suspect a leak.
In addition, it is important to know that the leak is not being caused by condensation. Sometimes people assume that their AC is simply sweating and the water on the floor is from that, but the amount of condensate that should form on a working AC will not be anywhere close to enough water to drip or form a wet spot on the floor. Therefore, you should never assume it is something else causing the problem because nine times out of ten it won’t be.
Your Home Feels Sticky and Humid
Your AC has two jobs if it is working correctly: to cool your home and to remove the humidity from your home. Chances are if it is only doing the first part of its job you will still feel hot and sticky while inside your home. That is because the humidity in the air makes everything feel damp and sticky which in turn will cause you to feel miserable. If your AC is running but the humidity in your home is not changing then you need to call for air conditioning repair fairly quickly. Sometimes the issue is caused by leaky ductwork, but oftentimes it is caused by your actual AC not working correctly which is a much larger issue.
Humidity is another thing that you don’t really want to mess around with because eventually, the humidity will cause mold to grow in your home. This is one reason why people purchase dehumidifiers for their basements because the humidity is known for dry rotting items in storage or causing mold to grow on things. You don’t want to get into a situation where mold is growing in your air vents or your basement as mold mediation is a very expensive process. Paying for air conditioning repair to take care of the humidity issue is a much better approach.
Your Air Ducts Are Not Flowing Well
If it seems like your air ducts do not release equal airflow this may be a reason to call for air conditioning repair. The first thing you should do is check and make sure that all of your air vents are properly open, but if that doesn’t solve the issue then you probably have a larger problem. If your fan or motor is not working correctly your AC will not be able to push as much air out through the vents which will make it harder for your system to distribute cool air around your home.
As a result, it will have to cycle more frequently to attempt to maintain your normal house temperatures which in turn will lead to higher cooling bills as well. It also means that it will be working harder on a regular basis which will increase the wear and tear on your system. An AC that is forced to work overtime for too long will eventually break down and need to be replaced. You want to lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC unit as much as possible, and one way to do that is by always scheduling air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX when you notice this sign.
If you have noticed this problem or any of the other problems listed in this article, make sure to call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas and we will be glad to troubleshoot your issues.