4 Obvious Signs You Need An AC Repair Company
If there is one thing that all homeowners have in common, it is that no one who lives in Texas and owns a home wants to wake up and discover that their AC is no longer working. However, despite your best efforts, sometimes you have to call out an AC repair company to help you. The goal of every homeowner should not be to avoid calling an AC company, but to troubleshoot problems before they become an emergency. 9 times out of 10 it is always better to call for help while your unit is still functional so that you don’t have to deal with a lack of cool air in the middle of summer.
The issue can be identifying exactly when that time is. Knowing when to call an AC repair company can be challenging if you have never had to call one before. You might miss the signs from your HVAC machine indicating something is going wrong, especially if you are new to home ownership and have never had to deal with it. You can’t call the landlord to fix your AC when you own your home. The sole responsibility is to take care of your AC, which means learning a bit about your system.
Prevent Problems with Air Conditioning Service
If you have not yet, now is a great time also to learn a bit about AC service. An AC service is the best way to stay head of issues so that you never find yourself shocked by an issue. In general, you are expected to book an AC service at least once a year; if you don’t, you might void your AC warranty. That is why it is a good idea to book a service even if you have a new unit. When you consider the investment you have put into a new unit, you want to make sure that your warranty is valid if something should malfunction down the line.
There are three things that happen during an AC service that make it worth talking to your local AC repair company to see if you can book a visit. If you have never had an AC service before, you might benefit from learning a bit more about it. The first thing that happens is a thorough inspection of your entire unit.
During the inspection, the AC technician is looking for parts that are showing signs of wear and tear as well as parts that may already be broken. An air conditioning unit can continue to function even if one part breaks down, but what will happen is that other components will be forced to compensate for it which results in much more work and higher energy consumption. The end result is that you will end up paying more for the same amount of cool air. The point of the inspection is to spot these trouble points so that you can address them and correct them.
The second thing that happens during an AC service is a thorough cleaning of all dirt and debris that may have gotten lodged into your AC unit. This includes both the indoor and the outdoor units of your AC system. A lot of things can be hidden underneath the cage of your outdoor unit, and many people are surprised to find out that animals have built nests in the inner workings of their outdoor unit. This can cause a potential problem if the fan hits the animal when you start it up for the summer.
After cleaning out the outdoor unit and removing all leaves, sticks, and anything else that may have gotten trapped in there, the technician from the AC repair company will then clean all dirt and debris from the indoor unit as well. A surprising amount of debris can also get trapped inside of the unit forcing the unit to work harder once again. This means higher energy consumption and higher utility bills. A quick service can eliminate this problem and drop your bills again.
Finally, the last thing that happens during an AC service is that the technician will lubricate all moving pieces inside of your unit. Just like your car needs oil in order to run smoothly, there are a lot of moving components inside your AC unit. Keeping them lubricated helps ensure that the AC continues to work smoothly. This is a special type of lubrication made for AC units, so it is not something that you should attempt to do on your own. The oil helps to streamline the function of all the components and reduce friction, which also helps to reduce the operating costs of your HVAC system.
Signs You Need AC Repair
Now that you know all of the benefits of an AC service to keep your system running smoothly, it is time to learn more about the signs your HVAC system might be giving you that it is time to call an AC repair company for help. Most of the time AC units do not just quit working out of thin air, even though that is what the people who own them think. What seems like a surprise to you may have been predictable if you had been more aware of the signs that there is a problem with your AC system.
With that in mind, it is extremely useful to review some of the top signs that your AC is experiencing problems. Instead of looking the other way or thinking that something will “work itself out,” it is extremely important to pay attention to anything off you notice about your AC system. Even if you notice something that is not on this list, if it concerns you enough to worry about it then it warrants a call to an AC repair company. Very few people ever regret calling an AC technician out to their home, but a lot of people regret waiting too long to do so when their system quits working altogether.
Warm Air Coming Out of Vents
One of the top signs that something is going on with your AC unit is if you notice that warm air is coming out of your air vents instead of cold air. If warm air is coming out of your air vents, you need to start being concerned about a problem with the compressor or the fan. It also could be an issue with the refrigerant or an issue with the evaporator coils. As you can see, there are a handful of reasons why warm air might be coming out of your vents, and they all need to be appropriately addressed by a professional.
This is not something you want to ignore because in Texas, if you have warm air coming out of your vents, your home is going to heat up quite quickly. The one thing you can do before you call an AC repair company is to check the thermostat. Sometimes people mistakenly set their cooling system to fan instead of cooling. If that isn’t the case however, then you need to get a technician out to your home to investigate the issue and get to the bottom of why this is happening.
Decreased Airflow
Another reason to be concerned about the air coming out of your air vents is if you notice that it is much less than usual. While there is no magic formula to determine if enough airflow is moving through your home, most people have a general idea of how much air flows through their vents. If it suddenly feels like there is not much air from your vents, this should also be a legitimate cause for concern. In this situation, you need to have someone look at your vents immediately because, once again, this will result in a warm house and an AC unit that is working overtime. In other words, you will pay more than usual on your energy bills and still be uncomfortable.
While you are waiting for an AC repair company to come out to your home, there are a few things you can do to help troubleshoot the issue. First, you can check a few major air vents in your home to see where the problem may lay. This also will help you have answers ready for the technician when they come to help expedite the diagnosis process. For instance, you will want to check a few major vents and see if the problem is isolated to more than one vent or just one. If it is only one vent that is affected, there may be debris or something blocking that vent, while several vents indicate a larger issue with the fan. You also should check to see if the problem occurs on both the first and second floors or if the issue is only on the upper levels of your home, which indicates a different issue.
AC Thermostat Is Not Responding
Another problem that indicates trouble with your AC system is if your thermostat is not responding or not properly detecting the temperature in your room. Sometimes people grow concerned because their AC will not turn on when really the issue is a broken thermostat that does not register that it is getting hot in a room. You can easily check this problem with a second thermometer. Measure the temperature in a room and then check it against what the thermostat says. If the numbers are not the same, then something is going on with your thermostat.
In the best-case scenario, you just need to change the batteries, but in the worst-case scenario, you need to change out your thermostat. Sometimes rodents can eat the wiring which can also lead to problems with the thermostat. All of these issues can be resolved with the help of an HVAC technician. Try changing the batteries first, but if that doesn’t work it is time to get some help. If you do need to upgrade, there are a lot of smart thermostats these days that are worth taking a closer look at.
Odd Odors When the AC Is Turned On
There is never a good reason for odd odors to come out of your air vents, especially if they were not there before. If there are new odors coming from your AC vents there is a very good chance that something is going on in your vents that shouldn’t be. With that in mind, if there are odd odors coming out of your vents that are moldy, stale, or smoky, it is time to call an AC repair company so you can get to the bottom of the issue. Smoky or moldy smells in particular can be alarming because they can indicate that there is a problem with the electrical wiring in your home or that there is mold growing in your vents.
Many people underestimate how easy it is for mold to grow in their vents, but in reality, this situation can occur after just a slight drop of moisture gets into the vents. You will want to have a professional HVAC company come take a look and if needed, perform a duct cleaning service to remove the mold and any other debris they find from your vents. Usually, this will remove just about any odor from your vents along with the associated health issues. Therefore, don’t put up with bad odors, get some help and breathe easy in your home again.
Are you concerned that your AC unit might need repair? One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth can help with that. Call us today to schedule a repair visit.
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A Quick Guide To Air Conditioner Installation For The Curious Homeowner
If your AC system has seen better days, it may be time to start considering a new air conditioner installation. While nobody wants to deal with the hassle of replacing the air conditioning unit, it is always better to get ahead of the problem so that you don’t find yourself stranded in the hot Texas sun without any AC. The truth is that all air conditioning units are machines, and at the end of the day, sometimes machines will break down. The goal of a homeowner is to make sure that they replace the unit before that happens.
Of course, sometimes it can happen with fairly little warning, in which case you might be looking at an emergency air conditioner installation. Before you get too worried about how long the process is going to take and what all it entails, take a minute to read a little bit about what an air conditioning installation traditionally looks like. Usually, the hardest part is actually waiting for the AC unit to come in. Outside of that, the process is fairly straightforward and not something a homeowner should worry too intensely about. The following guide should answer some of the most common questions that we get from homeowners who are looking at AC installation.
This guide is a good support for anyone who is looking at a new air conditioner installation, but if you don’t see the answer to your question on the list, make sure you contact a company to get the answers before you book your installation. You should feel completely confident about the process and what you should expect to receive back from it before you make any major moves. Once again, preparing for the process can help you feel less rushed and panicked about the whole thing, which is why we highly recommend that if you have any reason to believe your air-conditioning unit is starting to go bad, that you contact us ahead of time.
A little bit of proactive attention is the best way to make an air conditioning installation much less stressful for everybody that is involved. Plus, it will hopefully mean you also never have to bake in the hot sun, because in Texas, if your AC breaks out at the wrong time you will probably find yourself in a hotel. Skip all of those problems and talk to a crew about how we can help you. With that in mind, take a minute to read over the quick guide and get the answers that you’ve been looking for about your new AC installation.
When Is the Best Time to Schedule an AC Installation?
Before answering this question, we need to preface it by saying there is no wrong time to schedule an AC installation. If you have significant concerns about the performance of your AC system or are concerned that it is going to break down and be irreparable soon, then by all means you should schedule an AC installation. However, if you have some flexibility with the time that you replace your AC installation, then in general, we would recommend that you replace your AC unit either during the spring or fall months.
Usually, in the fall and spring, the temperatures are moderate enough that you don’t have to worry about living without an AC. In addition, HVAC companies in Texas are not as busy which means you should be able to get an installation time that matches your schedule a little easier. Some companies even drop their rates a little during the offseason, so this could help you out as well. Once again, though, if you don’t have any flexibility and it is summertime, it is still better to get ahead of the situation so that you don’t find yourself dealing with an emergency. Planning ahead can make it a bit easier to make the switch without too much disruption to the cool air in your home.
What Factors Influence Which AC Unit Is Right for Your Home?
A lot of homeowners stress over air conditioner installation because they are not sure which unit is going to be the best for their home. They do a lot of research but in the end, have no idea what to pick. This is one reason why you should use a professional to handle your new installation, because they will handle this task for you. There are a few dozen variables that you need to consider when choosing which AC unit is going to be the right choice for your family, and they can be complex.
However, when you work with an HVAC professional they will take all of these variables into account and likely a few more you didn’t think about. They will then choose the right unit for your home so you don’t have to worry that you are buying a unit that is too large or small for your home. This can help relieve a lot of stress off of your shoulders and is the number one thing that most of our clients say is the best part of working with a professional.
When we assess your home one of the first things we will look at is the overall size of your home. The square footage of your home will heavily determine the size of the AC unit that you will need. Larger homes require larger units to produce enough cool air to properly cool down a home. If you choose a unit that is too small, you will pay less upfront but likely pay high energy costs as the unit will have to constantly run in order to cool your home. Then you will end up paying a lot more for the lifespan of the unit, and your home will likely not properly cool which means you will be uncomfortable and spending more.
Another fact that the HVAC company will consider when they look at a new AC unit for your home is the climate in the area that you live in. Texas is obviously one of the hottest states in the union, so you will need an AC unit that is built to last against the tough climate. Not only will your AC need to function during the hot summer months, but likely during quite a bit of the fall and spring months as well. Therefore, you need a unit that is built to perform.
Of course, the HVAC company will also talk to you about your budget and what is considered affordable for you. Like most heavy pieces of machinery, AC systems can vary greatly in price and there are high-end options and budget options. Most of .time the middle of the road option is the best for clients, but we can work with you to make sure that you get the right setup for your home. Some AC systems also feature special features that are highly sought after, such as energy-efficient features or timers. You can talk to the installation technician a bit about these features if you have something in mind.
Do I Need to Worry About Maintenance After the Installation?
One of the perks that come with a new AC system is that it probably will not require as much maintenance as an older unit. However, that does not mean that you can skip maintenance all together. Even new units can have dust and debris build up inside, which is why it is so important to have an HVAC professional come out once a year for an annual service. In addition, most AC unit warranties are void if you don’t have your unit serviced at least once a year. Therefore, the best way to protect your unit and your investment is by having an annual service performed. You can even set it up after your installation if you want to in many cases.
Outside of this task, there is probably not much maintenance that you need to worry about. You should make sure that your outdoor unit is always kept debris free so that there is plenty of room for ventilation and nothing damages the fan. You would be surprised by how easily things can get inside your AC unit, so keep an eye out on the outdoor unit and make sure that you check it before you turn it on again for the next summer cycle.
Keep in mind that you also need to change your air filters on a regular basis. Usually, the filters should be changed every three to four months, depending on the level of dust in your home and if you own a pet. Air filter clogs can actually cause your system to break down, so you want to make sure that your system stays functional by replacing your filters. There are also many different types of air filters, so talk to your installer if you want some recommendations from them.
How Much Does AC Installation Cost?
Without a doubt, one of the largest concerns that our clients have is cost. We get it, a new AC is a pretty significant investment and no one is prepared to make that purchase even if they know it is coming. However, if you have to replace your AC unit you should focus more on quality than the price tag if you can. If you go with an industry-trusted name then the quality of the overall unit should be the same regardless of which unit you end up choosing.
What you should be more concerned with is the actual air conditioner installation. Most people don’t realize that the largest factor that impacts the lifespan of a new AC is its installation. An improperly installed AC unit will die years before other units that are properly installed. With that in mind, it’s worth letting a professional handle the installation so you can rest assured that your investment will last. Choose a company with trained technicians and experience in the area, and you can rest assured that the cost will be worth it.
How Can I Prepare for a New AC Installation?
If this is the first time that you are dealing with air conditioner installation within your home, then you might be nervous about how you are going to prepare for it. The good news is that the preparation process is virtually nothing for homeowners. The only thing you really need to do is schedule your installation and then make sure you are home for it. If you can handle that task, then you are ready for a new air conditioner installation.
That said, there are a few things that you can do to help expedite the air conditioner installation. These include making sure that the techs have plenty of room to move around your home. Keep in mind that an AC unit installation usually requires both inside and outdoor access. Therefore, you need to make sure that there is enough room for the technicians to move around the outside of your home, the basement or utility closet of your home near your current HVAC unit, and the thermostat in your home. They also will probably need to check the air vent near a few of your lower-level air vents. Most techs prefer the four-foot rule, which means making sure that there is four feet around all areas where they will be working during the air conditioner installation.
Is it time to replace your air conditioning unit? Give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth to schedule a consultation visit today. We make the process as simple as possible for all our clients.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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7 Benefits Of Air Conditioning Service
Everyone in Texas has an AC system because the hot Texan summers are unbearable without air ventilation. However, just because your AC works doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Even new AC systems require regular maintenance visits, which is why you should make sure you keep up with your annual air conditioning service visits. One of homeowners’ responsibilities is to ensure that their HVAC systems are serviced once a year. Adding this one task to your list of annual services is a great way to boost the efficiency of your unit and save you some money down the road.
There are many good reasons to book an air conditioning service, but the one that stands out to most homeowners is that doing so can help extend the lifespan of your unit. Replacing your AC unit can be a large expense, so anything you can do to push that a bit further is worth the investment. Of course, this is just one of the many different benefits that come from making sure you keep up with an annual AC service. If you have never scheduled a service and are trying to figure out if you should, then this list is for you.
Some would argue if you didn’t need it yet, you don’t need it at all, but we would argue that you need it more than ever if you have never had your AC system serviced. This is because your system is probably in even more desperate need of thorough cleaning and lubrication. Just like a car needs to be regularly oiled, if your system components are not getting oiled, there is probably a lot of friction between the gears of your system. With that in mind, now is the time to start thinking about a service. Take a minute to read over this list of benefits, and then call a local HVAC company to get your service scheduled.
Year-Round Comfort in Your Home
One of the top reasons to keep up with your HVAC service is that it will help you ensure you are comfortable year-round. The same way that you want to look at an AC service, you also need to look at a furnace service at some point during the year as well. While it does not get too cold in Texas during the winter months, it gets cool enough that you will want to have a furnace ready to fire up on some cold nights. If you book regular service visits for every component of your HVAC system, then you never have to doubt that your AC service will be ready to deliver the comfort you are used to.
Otherwise, you take a risk every summer and every winter that your HVAC system will simply fire up once you hit the switch. It is nice to know that the units within your HVAC system are individually ready to go, which is one thing a regular service gives you. That small piece of mind can be huge when you are roasting unexpectedly on a hot spring day or when the temperature starts to drop on a cold autumn day. If you like the idea of your home always being a comfortable place that you can escape to at the end of the day, then it is time to book an air conditioning service.
Better Home Air Quality
Another great reason to look more closely at an air conditioning service if you have not yet is that a simple service can help improve the air quality in your home. During the long summers, you probably don’t get much fresh air in your Texas home. In fact, you probably work as hard as you can to insulate your home so that you don’t get any hot air into your home at all. Therefore, you probably don’t have a lot of fresh air circulating in your home outside of what blows out of your home air vents. With that in mind, you want to ensure that the air that comes out of your vents is clean and crisp.
One of the most important parts of an AC service is a thorough cleaning of your entire AC unit. While the technician is inspecting your system to see if there is any damage, they are also carefully cleaning all dirt and debris out of your AC system. You would be surprised at how much dirt can build up inside of your unit. If you are used to seeing a very dirty air filter, then think about how much more dirt could be hiding within your system. The AC technician who comes out for your service will clean all of that out, which will result in much cleaner air circulating your home.
This means that when you take a deep breath of air, it really will be clean, which can help set your mind at ease. It will also help quite a bit if someone in your home suffers from chronic allergies or upper respiratory disease. Something as simple as an HVAC cleaning is all it takes to keep things clean and crisp in your home so that everyone feels good. Even if you don’t have anyone with breathing issues in your home, clean air can help improve overall health and help your family members recover from colds quicker.
Longer AC Unit Lifespan
Another great reason to look at an air conditioning service, if you have not already decided to book one, is because it will lengthen the lifespan of your AC unit. While we touched on this briefly, the lifespan of any AC unit that has been serviced regularly is almost always longer than a unit that has not been looked at. The simple reason for this is that, during a service visit, minor issues can be taken care of before they ever have a chance to become larger issues. When you stay ahead of issues, there is never a chance for something to go seriously wrong.
During the AC service, a technician will carefully inspect every component inside your AC unit. If they notice that anything is starting to rust or that there are signs of wear, they will talk to you about the situation and recommend a proactive reaper. You will not have to make the repair at the time of the service, but it is something that you can think about down the line to help prevent any future repairs.
Finding out about issues this way is a great way to stay ahead of problems without breaking your budget. This is because you will have time to schedule and make the repairs since they aren’t urgent. This is much more preferable than finding out that you need to make repairs when your AC quits working. At this point, it is an emergency situation, and you won’t have time to budget or prepare for them. Keeping up with your air conditioning service will help you, therefore, save money down the line and keep your AC working for much longer. When you consider how much you save by extending the lifespan of your AC by just five years, it is worth it to keep up with visits.
Drop Indoor Humidity Levels
If you are having issues with your home humidity levels, then an air conditioning service may help. While this is not always enough for a solution, sometimes it is enough. This is because when air moves through the filtration system the excess water should be pulled out of it, but it doesn’t work that way if your system is not functioning fully. High humidity levels in your home can cause a lot of issues, from health issues to mold growth. A lot of people with respiratory issues find it extremely hard to breathe when humidity levels are high, which they shouldn’t be if your AC system is working properly.
In addition, humidity leads to high levels of which leads to the growth of mold and mildew. Oftentimes you know when there is a high level of humidity because it feels sticky in your home despite the thermostat saying that the temperature is low within your home. Humid air is heavy and damp, and something you don’t want to deal with. By tuning up your AC, you can return it to working proper order, and then you won’t have to deal with humid air anymore. It’s worth a phone call and individualized suggestions on how you can get your home back to normal.
Improved Health for Everyone in Your Home
When the air is clean and filtered by your AC system, then everyone in your home will be able to breathe better. As mentioned earlier, this is extremely important if you have someone with allergies living in your home or if you have elderly or young children in your home. The air you breathe has a significant impact on your health and your ability to heal following an infection. Give yourself the best chance at health within your home by booking an AC service.
Most people spend a great deal of time in their homes, especially when you consider the time you spend sleeping every night. At the very least most people spend at least 8 hours in their home sleeping; make sure you are getting the most out of that time by making sure your AC is functioning properly.
Heighten Your AC Unit’s Energy Efficiency
Another great reason to book your air conditioning service is that it can help increase the energy efficiency of your unit. When your system is aging and starting to show signs of wear and tear, it is forced to work harder to produce the same amount of cold air. That usually means cycling much more frequently than needed, and that results in higher energy bills. You can get ahead of this entire process by having your system tuned each year. The end result of this process will be lower energy bills.
Three things that happen during an AC service helps to lower your energy bills: cleaning out dust and debris, lubrication, and inspection. The wear and tear that is mentioned earlier are noted during the inspection stage, and the recommendations for repair can help make sure that everything is functioning at 100% within your system so that it is working at its best state. Lubrication helps reduce friction as moving pieces continue to hit against each other, and results in much-lowered energy costs because the system works smoothly. In fact, lubrication is one of the most important components for regular AC service. Finally, the cleaning process removes dust and debris that clogs up your system and forces it to work harder.
If you want to save money on your AC cooling bills, sometimes the easiest solution is just making sure that your system is working as smoothly as possible. A simple service can quickly help you lower your cooling bills and actually put money back into your pocket. With that in mind, you may even regret that you didn’t learn the value of good service earlier in life.
Avoid Unnecessary or Unexpected Repairs
Rounding out the list of the benefits of air conditioning service is the fact that regular service is the best way to make sure you don’t have to deal with unexpected repairs in the middle of the night. No one wants to wake up and discover that their AC is not working, by keeping up with your service you can drastically reduce the chances of that happening to you.
Is it time to book your annual AC service? Call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth to schedule your service today.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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