AC Repair | Keller, TX
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Now the long hot days of summer are but a distant memory, probably the last thing on your mind is your air conditioner. There are some very pleasant days during the winter and early spring, but on the whole, your air conditioner is not used as much as it was during the summer. This is a good time to have it serviced, and this is something that One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth strongly suggest all our customers in Keller, TX do.
How to Prevent an AC Repair
Have a Regular Service
One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth believes that the best way to prevent an AC repair is having your air conditioner regularly serviced. We advise this be done before the hot summer season starts. The last thing you want is to have your unit break down when you need it most. The service will pick up on any minor issues and allow you to have them corrected before you need an expensive AC repair. As a result of the service, your energy bills will be lower because your unit will be running more efficiently. You will also gain extra peace of mind during the long summer months, knowing it is less likely to break down.
Perform Some Basic Care
There are some things you can do to avoid the need for an AC repair, and this involves some basic maintenance yourself.
- Check the air filters
- Check the air ducts for any leaks
- Clean the outside unit
The air filter removes dust and dirt particles from the air in your home in Keller, TX. A dirty air filter is not doing its job efficiently and needs to be cleaned or replaced regularly. A dirty air filter will restrict the airflow over the evaporator coils and could cause them to freeze completely.
Another check you could do is to inspect your air ducts for signs of damage. Up to thirty percent of the energy output from your air conditioner is lost through gaps in damaged or loose air ducts and joints. If you spot any damage, you need to call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth to undertake repairs.
The condenser and cooling fins are located outside your home and are likely to have dirt and grime deposited on them. They may even have moss and weeds growing over them and these need to be removed periodically to ensure that the heat from inside your home is transferred efficiently to the outside air. Any dirt layer reduces the rate of heat transfer and causes the other components in the air conditioner to work harder. This in turn leads to component burnout and the need for an AC repair.
All these jobs you could do yourself, but not everyone is able or confident enough to attempt them. But do not worry they are part of a service from One Hour.
Keep a Lookout for the Following Signs
Increased Energy Bills
Energy costs have been going up a lot recently, so it is important to find ways to reduce them. An older air conditioner will cost more to run because each component will have undergone wear and tear reducing its efficiency. The components will now need to work harder to maintain the cooling effect, and this increases the likelihood that they will burn out and need replacing during an AC repair. If your air conditioner is over ten years old, and you find its running costs increasing, it may be worth considering having a replacement unit. The initial upfront cost will be recovered over time as the new unit will be more economical to run. We at One Hour are happy to help you decide what unit best fits your needs and budget.
Your Air Conditioner Is Turning Itself On and Off a Lot
If your air conditioner is cutting off before you reach the right temperature, you may have a short-cycling problem. Most air conditioners operate with a 20-minute cooling cycle, where the compressor is switched on for ten minutes and then switches off for another ten minutes. This allows for the most efficient cooling cycle. If the compressor switches itself on and off prematurely, there is more chance that it will break down due to overwork and need an AC repair.
You See Frost and Ice Forming on the Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils absorb heat from the warm air blown over them. This heat stops the coils from freezing over. If you notice frost and ice forming on the coils, they are not absorbing enough heat from the warm air. This can be for several reasons, the air filters are dirty and restricting the flow of warm air over the coils, the fan that blows the air is faulty or the coolant levels in the coils are too low. If the coils are allowed to freeze over, the air conditioner will shut down and will be out of action for up to 24 hours until the coils have thawed.
Little or No Cooling Effect
Low coolant levels in the evaporator coils will mean less cooling effect from your air conditioner. Without the proper level of coolant in the air conditioner, the coils will not be able to remove as much heat from the warm air. The air that is blown back into your home will be less cool. Dirty air filters and a faulty fan will also reduce the cooling effect.
Humidity Levels Are Higher
When the cooling effect is reduced, warmer air will be blown back into your home. As warmer air contains more moisture it will feel more humid.
Strange Sounds
Any grinding or screeching sounds could mean you have a worn-out fan belt or bearings. Any loud banging noises could be due to a loose or bent blade striking the inside of your unit. If you hear these noises, you are going to need an AC repair.
A Trusted Air Conditioning Company: One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth
We have been serving the people of Keller, TX for many years. We realize how important it is to offer a speedy AC repair service during the hot Texas summers and will have highly trained technicians on hand 24/7 ready to help.