If you are living in Kingwood TX, you don’t want to wait until summer comes before you start to address issues concerning your AC unit. As soon as the system starts struggling to keep up with the high outside temperatures of your home, you want to get it fixed.
Now comes the question of if you need AC repair. Well, there are many signs to look out for to know whether something is wrong with your AC. That’s what we are discussing in this article.
How do you know if your AC is broken?
While there are many indications of a faulty AC, the following are a few of the common ones:
If it’s blowing warm air
The first thing you should check when warm air is blowing out of the vents of your home is the thermostat. Ensure that it is set to cooling mode, with the temperature set lower than the current temperature of your home. If the problem persists, then the culprit is either a compressor issue or restricted airflow.
Considering that your cooling system is an intricate system, you should contact an AC repair contractor if you have this issue. You can also visit our website at acrepairkingwoodtexas.com.
If the airflow is insufficient
One of the common indications of a faulty AC unit is poor airflow within the home. This may be caused by a blockage stopping air from flowing through the ductwork. The possible culprits of this issue may be a broken motor, a clogged air filter, or something more serious.
You may be required to invest in an energy-recovery ventilator if insufficient airflow is a usual occurrence in your home. This boosts your AC unit’s exchange of stale with a fresh one at every cycle of the system. Zoning systems can also do some help by ensuring that airflow and cooling get to the area of the home where it’s needed most.
If the cycles are frequent
Irrespective of the weather, AC units go through cooling cycles, turning themselves on and off based on the temperature requirements. During the hottest days of summer, your AC unit is expected to turn on more frequently. However, the on-and-off cycle shouldn’t be too frequent.
You should contact a professional to diagnose the AC for any issue immediately. While a tune-up may solve the issue of frequent recycling, your best option may be to replace the air conditioner.
If the humidity within the home is high
While it is not unusual to have sticky weather outside during summer and spring, you don’t want to have high humidity in your home. Your AC system is expected to regulate the humidity levels in your home automatically.
Your air conditioner definitely needs to be repaired in Kingwood if it cannot maintain comfortable moisture levels within the home. In this case, the AC unit may require a simple re-calibration, or you may just need a dehumidifier for the home instead.
If there is water leakage
To cool your home your AC system needs refrigerant. As the system operates, it may produce condensation. None of the two liquids should build-up or leak into your home.
One of the obvious indications that there is a problem with your AC unit is an active leak or pool of water around the system. Waste no time in contacting a professional AC repair technician if this happens because this can cause damage to your home, and even lead to structural issues when left unattended.
If you are perceiving an unpleasant smell
Any unpleasant smell suspected to be coming from your AC unit should not be taken lightly to prevent it from getting worse. This may require a professional diagnosis. The outcome of the diagnosis will tell whether the AC unit requires a tune-up and a total cleanup session. Sometimes, such an issue may require a more high-tech approach.
Bad odors are often caused by microbial growth in your AC system. Ultraviolet lamps can be efficient at eliminating this stubborn growth. Cleaning the ducts can also help to stop the odors that have gathered in the ductwork.
If there are unusual noises
It is normal for AC units to make little sounds as they turn on and off. However, when the sound becomes unusually loud, your AC unit may be having big problems.
If you hear buzzing or rattling noises, then a part of the AC unit may be loose. However, you may be dealing with a more serious problem if what you hear is grinding or whistling noises. This issue hardly disappears without the attention of a professional Kingwood AC repair technician.
How do you know if your air conditioner needs to be replaced?
The following are reasons why you want to consider replacing your AC unit.
The age of your AC unit
With regular maintenance, the lifespan of your AC should be about 15 years. However, the life of the AC unit may be reduced by the accumulation of grime and irregular maintenance. This is because the system is made to work harder to keep up with the temperature demands of your home.
That said, you should consider replacing your AC unit as it gets close to 15 years of use.
The cost of repair
You should consider replacing the AC unit if you notice that you are having to repair it more frequently or that the cost of repair is close to getting a new system.
One formula you can adopt is that if the cost of repair multiplied by the age of your AC is less than the average cost of a new AC, then repair may not be a bad idea. Otherwise, replacement may be a wise option.
The type of coolant
AC units manufactured before 2010 mostly run on the R22 coolant (commonly known as Freon). This coolant has been completely phased out due to EPA regulations. That has made the R22 coolant very scarce and expensive.
You should consider replacing your AC unit if it is currently running on this old coolant.
Scarcity of parts
Getting the replacement parts of an old AC unit becomes more difficult and prohibitively expensive over time. This mostly happens due to the annual updates and changes in the HVAC industry.
If you are having such issues with your old AC, it may be time to get a new one.
Conclusion
Summer in Kingwood TX shouldn’t make your life miserable if you pay attention to what your AC unit is telling you. And if it is older than a decade, you may want to consider replacing it to have the best temperature in your home during the hottest days.
