Frequently Asked Questions About AC Units And AC Repair | Fort Worth, TX
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Whether you are a first time homeowner or have lived in the Fort Worth, TX region for awhile, there is one fact that is obvious about summer time, you need an AC unit to survive. The thick heat of Texan summers is too much for most people to take and can actually be deadly on some days if you don’t have access to a cool place to unwind and cool off. That is why you want to do your best to avoid AC repairs during the summer months if you can. It is also not the time that you want your AC unit to break down.
The best way to avoid this is by booking an annual air conditioner repair and service call. During this visit an AC repair tech will carefully inspect your AC unit and clean it out which is always useful because after sitting for a year you would be surprised by how much dirt can accumulate. During the cleaning the AC technician will also carefully examine your unit to see if any components are wearing down or starting to break. This process helps you proactively make repairs so that you don’t have to worry about an unexpected breakdown and also keeps your warranty valid.
In fact, the number one thing that we recommend to all of our customers is that they book an annual service call before the summer heat gets outrageous. The second thing we recommend is that you turn on your AC right now to make sure that it is running and/or properly blowing cool air if you don’t already have it on. You don’t want to blindly assume that your AC is going to work this year just because it worked last year. You also might be in for a surprise if you don’t turn it on such as a dead rodent in the ducts that you will quickly smell once it is on and blowing.
No one likes surprises, so do yourself a favor and check on the condition of your AC right now so that you can call for AC repair before things get too hot adn before your local Fort Worth, TX AC repair companies get busy. The last thing you want to deal with is a few days’ wait for a repair. At that point you may be forced to get a hotel or tough out the thick of the summer which can be dangerous for children, pets, or older people in your home.
With that in mind, as we head into the season of air conditioning dependency, here are a few of the top questions we hear from our customers. These questions cover both upgrades and problems, and can occur in every house regardless of the age of your system. Believe it or not, even neewer systems can end up needing a repair because at the end of the day an HVAC system is still a machine and every machine is subject to problems. Sometimes things just go wrong even if you are the best homeowner. Here are a few things to store away in your mind in case they do.
What Is the Best AC Unit?
First of all, if you are looking at replacing your AC unit because it needs frequent AC repairs or is simply aging, one of the first things on your mind is probably choosing the right AC unit. There are thousands of models out there and they all have their own perks and space requirements. As a consumer, this is not a decision that you probably have the skills to make. Buying an AC unit is not like buying any other appliance in your home.
In fact, it is best made with the help of an HVAC technician who can help you sort through some of the requirements. First and foremost, you need to decide the size of the AC unit that you need. This is based on the layout of your home, your current furnace if you plan to integrate the system, your current ductwork, square footage, and the overall space that you need to cool. A home with five rooms with vaulted ceilings has a lot more space to consider versus a home with five rooms out of which three have slanted attic ceilings. If you are unsure about your space requirements, your AC technician is a great source of information.
In addition, they can walk you through a lot of other variables that you may not understand such as energy-efficiency, BTUs, electrical needs, and how much maintenance you will need to do. You also will want to look at the warranty policy because an HVAC is easily one of the most expensive investments you will make in terms of appliances. Sometimes it pays to spend a little more to get a unit with a longer warranty as some extra security.
Keep in mind once you purchase a unit it still needs to be installed, and that unit also needs to be delivered directly to your home and set up by the installer. This is very important because the accuracy of installation is the largest factor that influences the lifespan of an AC unit. With that in mind, it is sometimes easier and a smoother process if you just work with an AC repair and installation company to pick out your new model. They can streamline purchasing it from the manufacturer for you and set up the delivery to coincide with your installation date so that the only thing you have to worry about is paying the bill. They also will usually insure their installation services which is double protection for you.
Help, My AC Won’t Turn On!
As we mentioned earlier, it is a good idea to try turning your AC on so that you don’t end up in this position later, with an AC that will not turn on. Flipping your AC unit and realizing that it is not working is one of the worst feelings in the world, but there are a few things that you can try before calling for HVAC repair.
First of all, if you are familiar with your breaker box, go down to the basement and look for the breaker that your unit is connected to. See if it is flipped off or not, which indicates that it is an electrical problem. If you don’t see it flipped, go ahead and quickly flip it on and off to restart the circuit. Now try to turn on the AC again, if it works you are good to go, but if you see it trip again then you need to call for AC repair. At this point it is an electrical issue which brings with it extra risk and you need to resolve the problem with the help of a professional air conditioner repair technician.
If it isn’t tripping, but it still isn’t turning on then should go back upstairs and see if the thermostat requires batteries or not. If it does, try replacing the batteries because it is possible that they have died and you aren’t aware of it. You also should check to make sure that the battery acid hasn’t leaked into the thermostat which does happen in Fort Worth, TX sometimes since not everyone has to turn on their furnace in the winter months effectively meaning you could have batteries in it for over a year.
At this point if you notice that your thermostat is not turning on at all, you may need to consider investing in a new thermostat. However, improper thermostat placement can cause an electrical short which is an expensive A repair issue, so it may be a better idea just to call an AC repair company in the first place to put in the new thermostat.
Finally, if you feel comfortable (if you don’t just call for AC repair and a tech can check this for you) turn off your breakers and check to see if there is a safety float switch near your drain line. This switch is set to turn off if there is water in the overflow. If you don’t see any wate there that is an issue in itself and you need to call an AC repair company. On the other hand, if there is water you can try to vacuum it out with a shop vacuum, but honestly it is better to call an AC repair company because you can damage the float switch and cause bigger problems for yourself. In the end, it’s a lot less trouble to just call an AC repair company for help so you can get to the problem quickly and get your AC back on and working.
Why Is My AC Leaking Water?
If your AC is leaking water you have bigger problems than just some annoying water on the ground, because water leakage can lead to the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. Mold and mildew can actually cause troubles with breathing and some people are even allergic to them. Therefore, if you notice that water is leaking from your AC system you need to call for AC repair right away so you can get to the bottom of the issue.
Even more concerning however is the fact that sometimes the water leak is not water at all, instead it is actually a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is a toxic material that can only be handled by a properly certified technician. It is not something that you should take lightly and always requires AC repair immediately. Not only can it be poisonous to pets and children, but once your AC leaks enough out it will cease to blow cool air which means that it is close to breaking down. If you have any reason to suspect the leak is actually refrigerant you need to call for AC repair in Fort Worth, TX right away.
Why Is There Ice on My AC?
It only seems logical that your AC can ice up, but just because it seems logical doesn’t mean that it should. In fact, there are a variety of reasons why you may be noticing ice on the outside of an AC unit and none of them are that great. The easiest fix and the one thing you can do is check the condition of your air filter. If your air filter is clogged then the dirt may be restricting air from crossing the evaporator coil which in turn will lead to the formation of ice.
If this is the case you need to immediately change your air filter. Ice is not good for an AC unit because it places extra strain on the compressor, blower motor, and metals that make up the unit inside and increase the chance that one of these major components will fail. THerefore, if the air filter is clear you need to call for HVAC repair right away to determine what is causing the issue and what you should do about it.
Do I Need a UV Light?
The simple answer is no, you don’t need a UV light in order for your air conditioning unit to work, but you may want to heavily consider it. High output UV light is a great way to clean the air and filter out viruses, mold, chemicals ,and bacteria from the air. During the summer months when your Fort Worth, TX home is locked up tight, the only air ventilation you get is from the AC system. So it is not a bad idea to have a UV light to help keep the air your family breathes clean. If you are curious about the addition of a UV light call your local AC repair to talk about options. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth can help with this or any other HVAC repair issues in Fort Worth, TX. Give us a call today to set up an appointment.