Air Conditioning Repair and Installation: When to Repair vs. Replace
It can be difficult to know when to repair or replace your air conditioning system. If your unit is more than 10-15 years old and frequently breaks down, it may be more cost-effective to invest in a new one. On the other hand, if the issue is minor, a air conditioning repair might be all you need. Consult with a professional HVAC contractor who can assess your system and help you make the best decision for your home and budget. Call our Longview or Tyler location now. Otherwise, fill out our easy online form to book an appointment and experience the A/C Contractors difference. “Fixed Right, or It’s Free!
How to Tell if Your AC Thermostat Is Bad
Is your thermostat working correctly? We rely on our thermostat units to maintain the temperature in our homes and provide accurate information about our environments. Unfortunately, a broken unit may not always be obvious. Learn more about detecting and repairing broken thermostats, including tips for diagnosing common problems. Why a Functioning Thermostat Is Important Before we cover how to know if an AC thermostat is bad, it’s important to understand why that matters for you and your home. Correct use of a thermostat is what tells your AC system what temperature you want your home to be. A functioning thermostat is essential because: It promotes energy efficiency: A broken thermostat is more than an inconvenience — it can also cost you. An inaccurate thermostat reading may cause a spike in your energy bill. If you’re trying to achieve a specific temperature in your home but your thermostat is displaying inaccurate information, you could get stuck in an energy-wasting cycle. Your home will be more comfortable: An accurate temperature reading is an integral part of maintaining a comfortable environment. When your thermostat is working correctly, you can keep it as cool or warm as you need. A bad thermostat can cause your AC to not cool or heat the room to the desired temperature. Air conditioning concerns are more apparent: Your thermostat is one of the best indicators of your air conditioning system’s health. When the thermostat reading is correct, you can compare it to the air temperature around you to see how well your AC unit performs and whether you need to contact a professional AC service to diagnose and repair your system. When your thermostat is broken, you may not notice AC concerns as quickly, leading to costly damage. Signs of a Bad AC Thermostat Not sure if your thermostat is working? Common indicators of a problem include the following: Your AC won’t turn off or on: If your air conditioning system seems to be stuck in a continuous loop — either constantly running or unable to turn on — it may be a problem with your thermostat’s position or internal trigger. Unlevel units or damaged wiring can make it impossible to stop or start your unit. The temperature doesn’t match the thermostat reading: If the conditions you feel in your home do not match the temperature reading on the thermostat, your unit may be damaged. Use an external thermometer to take a second temperature measurement and compare it to the information on your thermostat. The unit isn’t functioning normally: If you have an electronic or programmable thermostat but can no longer adjust the settings, it may need repairing or replacement. Many thermostats also have display screens with backlights — if yours has stopped working or no longer lights up, this is cause for concern. The temperature fluctuates from room to room: If your home’s temperature feels different in separate rooms or corners — despite a set temperature on the thermostat — it could indicate a damaged unit. How to Check if Your AC Thermostat Is Not Working If you’re unsure how to fix an AC thermostat, the first step is to diagnose the problem. This may require a little troubleshooting. Before you inspect your thermostat, grab a notebook to keep track of what you find. Follow these steps: Consult the manual: Before you get too deep into your thermostat inspection, consult the user manual. Confirm that all settings are correct and review available troubleshooting or diagnostic sections. The user manual may have specific instructions for testing, resetting or repairing common problems. Change the batteries: If you own an electronic thermostat, a fresh set of batteries may be all you need. Discard the old batteries, replace them with new ones, and then turn the unit on and record any changes. Not all thermostats — including manual units — use batteries. Check the circuit breaker: A faulty air conditioning system or thermostat could be the result of a tripped breaker. To check for a tripped breaker, look at the panel and see if the switch next to your HVAC system is hovering between the “off” and “on” position or if a light indicates a trip. Reset the switch if necessary. If your circuit panel has sustained damage, do not attempt to reset anything on your own. Contact a professional for further guidance. Clean the unit: It’s essential to keep your thermostat clean and clear of buildup or excess dust, which can hinder performance and make it difficult to read temperatures accurately. Dust your unit regularly and perform a close visual inspection. You may need to remove the cover to dust the thermostat’s interior. For manual thermostats, ensure the lever is intact and operational. You can test the lever by gently moving it in both directions. Remove and relocate it: If you have a newly installed thermostat or have recently completed renovations on your home, you may need to relocate your unit for a more accurate reading. Many external factors can influence a thermostat’s performance, including proximity to sunny windows, skylights and drafty doorways. Large obstructions, like furniture, can also interrupt thermostat readings. Always install thermostats in an area that is easy to access and near the room’s natural air currents. If you have tried the above and found your thermostat unit is not functioning correctly, it’s time to contact a professional. Use your records to let them know about the problems you’re experiencing and which methods you used to identify them. How Does an AC Thermostat Work? Thermostats operate differently, depending on which type you own. The most common thermostats are: Manual: Manual thermostats use a series of wires, switches and a thermometer coil to move currents either left or right to trigger hot or cold air from your HVAC system. Programmable: Programmable thermostats are a specific type of electronic or digital thermostat that lets you establish operation parameters. For example, you can program your thermostat to reach a certain temperature by the time you get home from work, or automatically keep your home cooler overnight or when the house is empty to keep utility bills low and reduce energy
Common A/C Problems in Your Longview Home
When you live in Longview or Tyler, Texas, you know you’re going to get a lot of hot weather. While it’s true we get a few rainy days, Tyler and Longview get sunshine almost 220 days out of the year. Those sunny days bring warm weather. You can expect temperatures to be above 80 degrees Fahrenheit from late April until early October, and above 90 degrees for much of June, July, August and September. While we all love warm weather, living with so many days above 90 degrees quickly becomes uncomfortable and even potentially dangerous for seniors and infants. Keeping your air conditioning in tip-top condition all year long is not just a good idea, it’s a necessity. Since Tyler and Longview only have a few months you could consider “cool” or even a touch cold, you want to know your air conditioner will start working without problems when the warmer weather appears. If your air conditioning does fail, however, life can be unbearable. Air conditioning repairs can be expensive, so you want to ensure your air conditioning receives regular maintenance throughout the year. An air conditioner is a complicated system that requires the perfect combination of airflow, pressure and temperature to operate correctly. Complex systems, however, mean there are many places your air conditioner can develop problems. Fortunately, not all these problems require expensive repairs. Regular maintenance also means your HVAC technician can catch potentially costly problems before they become severe, thus helping you save money in the long run. 10 Common A/C Problems and Solutions You know you’re going to need your air conditioner to work properly, so here are a few of the more common problems that can plague an air conditioning system and prevent your home from being the cool oasis you desire. 1. Filter It’s amazing how often an air conditioner fails to work properly because of a clogged or dirty filter. You need to follow the manufacturer’s suggestion on how often you should change the filter. Some manufacturers recommend you change it every three months, while others require you to do it monthly. One way to determine if your filter is too dirty is to hold it up to a light. If light passes through the filter, it is still good, but if it doesn’t, it’s time to change it. Clogged and dirty air filters not only block the flow of cool air into your home, but they can also cause the air conditioner’s evaporator coil to freeze, literally creating a block of ice that prevents cooler air from circulating. The Fix: One of the easiest solutions for how to fix an air conditioner that’s not cooling is to check your air filter regularly and change it if it looks dirty or clogged. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for how frequently you should change the filter. 2. Refrigerant Leaks When an air conditioner is low on refrigerant, your air conditioner will struggle to cool your home. There are two reasons for an air conditioner to be low on refrigerant — either it did not get charged correctly at installation, or there is a leak. Fixing it is not merely a matter of adding more refrigerant. If it is leaking, you need to get it repaired quickly. If you notice puddles or pools of liquid next to your air conditioning unit, it can present a health problem. Air conditioning refrigerant can irritate eyes, cause headaches or nausea and induce coughing. If the problem originated at installation, the technician can add the right level of refrigerant. Too much refrigerant can be even worse than too little. There are several ways to tell specifically if you have a refrigerant leak: Ice forms on the outside unit and on the refrigerant line You hear a hissing or bubbling noise coming from the air conditioner Your air conditioner won’t cool your home on hot days, but works perfectly on cool days or during the nighttime. The Fix: If you have either of these problems, your best bet is to call an HVAC professional right away. Refrigerant leaks are not something to ignore. You need to get a leaky unit fixed as soon as possible. If the problem is with the refrigerant level, an HVAC technician has the tools to measure the level of refrigerant in your system and make sure you get the right amount. 3. Drainage Dirt, lint and dust can clog your air conditioner’s drain line, just like a clogged air filter. That is especially true when the weather is excessively humid. If the drain line gets clogged, however, that means your drain pan will quickly fill with water. If this water overflows, it may not only damage the rest of the air conditioning unit, but anything near the unit will become soaked and potentially ruined. The Fix: Regularly check to make sure the drain line remains clear. If you know the weather is going to be humid for a few days or even weeks, it’s always a good idea to check for clogs regularly. If you’re using a room air conditioner anywhere in your home, make sure it is level when mounted, or else overflow will be a problem. 4. Breakers or Fuses There are a lot of reasons that your air conditioner may trip your circuit breaker or blow a fuse. If some other part of your air conditioning system is not working properly, the air conditioning unit will draw too much energy trying to keep your home cool. Sometimes, a tripped circuit breaker is the result of a homeowner using too many appliances at once. If you have the television on while you’re doing laundry and someone else is vacuuming at the same time, then you add in the air conditioning unit on a hot day, the circuit breaker may trip. A tripped circuit breaker is a good thing. Circuit breakers exist to make sure that your home doesn’t catch on fire. The Fix: Circuit breakers have three positions — on, off and somewhere in between. If you check the
Symptoms & Signs of a Bad A/C Compressor
Table of Contents Why Do You Need Your Air Compressor to Be in Good Working Order? What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Bad A/C Compressor? AC Compressor Not Turning On: Common Reasons Troubleshooting A/C Compressor Problems Are All AC Compressors the Same? While the weather can always be a bit on the warm side in Texas, the late spring, summer and early fall months can be particularly brutal. The heat can get as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit — sometimes even higher — during the warmest days for many days in a row. Knowing that your air conditioner is going to be performing at its very best when you need it provides peace of mind. [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Get a Free Estimate Now!” style=”3d” color=”primary” align=”center” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-comment-dollar” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Faccontractors.com%2Festimate%2F”][vc_column_text] Many homeowners, however, are often unaware of what constitutes bad ac compressor symptoms and when their A/C units start having trouble working as it should. Among those troubles is a bad air conditioning compressor. What’s an air conditioning compressor? Basically, it’s the heart of the system. It’s responsible for pressurizing the refrigerant that runs through an air conditioner. It allows that refrigerant to absorb the heat from the air in your home and release it outside. It also cools air, which it then returns into your home. Refrigerant cycles from gas to liquid back to gas. This cycle starts when the air conditioning compressor turns the low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. The gas then makes its way through the condenser and turns the refrigerant into a cool liquid. The liquid enters evaporator coils, which turns it back into a cool gas. The process happens again and again, with the hot air released outside your home and the cool air pumped inside. Why Do You Need Your Air Compressor to Be in Good Working Order? Some of the most important reasons follow: You want your home to be cool: After all, when you purchase an air conditioner, the object is to protect you from the intense Texas heat. If your air compressor is having problems, you’re not going to get all that cool air when you need it most. The ideal time to notice an air conditioning compressor problem is when it starts to happen: Compressors can go bad for a lot of reasons, some of which we will examine below. It could be the unit itself — perhaps the air conditioner is too old and is starting to wear out. Regardless of the reason, if you notice the compressor is starting to have problems in the early stages, you’ll be able to make early repairs and avoid a large A/C compressor replacement cost. Air conditioning problems can get worse with time, so you can save money, time and cool air by spotting and fixing issues early. Some air compression problems can be potentially harmful to you and your family: If refrigerant leaks out of your air conditioner, the puddles it forms can be toxic and harmful to your health. If you have children or pets, you don’t want them anywhere near leaking fluids, let alone a toxic refrigerant leak. Even if you don’t, a refrigerant leak requires the immediate attention of a professional. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Bad A/C Compressor? As we noted above, recognizing the signs when your air conditioner’s compressor might be in the early stages of breaking down or wearing out will keep your home cooler when you need it and likely result in a smaller repair bill. It’s crucial to know how to tell if your A/C compressor is bad. Some of the signs of a bad A/C compressor are as follows. 1. A Lack of Hot Air Being Released Outside When a compressor is working properly, it takes hot air from inside the home and releases it outdoors. A good way to tell if your compressor is starting to develop a problem is to hold your hand near the fan on the air conditioning unit. If that air is not hot but is instead lukewarm or cool, it’s a sign that your compressor could be having problems. It could mean the unit is not compressing the gas properly. It might also be a sign of a refrigerant leak. If you’ve noticed that your system has been losing cooling power over time, a refrigerant leak could be the reason. A leak causes strain on the compressor. 2. Loud or Strange Noises From the Unit Have someone in your home turn on the air conditioning while you stand outside beside the unit. If everything is working properly, the unit will start smoothly, and you’ll hear the compressor and the compressor’s fan motor working properly. If the unit, however, starts vibrating or makes a rumbling noise, a popping sound, banging noises, clicking, growling, clattering or screeching noises, it could be the sign of several potential problems. Any of these noises might signify that the A/C compressor is having electrical problems. It could also mean that the compressor or a fan is loose thrashing around in the housing. If the unit vibrates when it starts, it may mean that the compressor is “hard starting,” or having problems starting — a telltale warning sign that the air conditioner compressor is about to fail. In any of these cases, you should immediately turn the air conditioning unit off and call an HVAC professional to make repairs. 3. Failure of the Compressor to Turn On If you notice that the air conditioning is not cooling your home to the temperature you’ve set and the fan inside your home is working properly, check your condensing unit outside your home. If you hear the fan running but the aircon compressor is not running, you have a problem. The compressor should be clearly audible over the fan. If this is the problem, you may face a replace or repair choice. Failed compressors can be expensive to replace so how to know if the A/C compressor is bad is vital. If your
3 Ways Air Conditioning Tune-Ups Prevent Problems
Let’s face it, sometimes home maintenance tasks are put off to save time or money. Unfortunately, putting off the air conditioning tune up can actually wind up costing much more time and money. Although air conditioners are built tough enough to last for many years, there are things that can cause early breakdown. Neglecting the seasonal tune ups will surely mean you have to replace the equipment much sooner. You’ll also wind up with more repairs and poor efficiency. Here are three ways that air conditioning tune ups can prevent these problems. Cleaning The Air Conditioner’s Condensation Drip Line This is just one small task that an HVAC contractor performs during a seasonal A/C tune up which actually makes a big difference. Any machine that uses refrigerant to cool will produce condensation during operation. Think of how much humidity the refrigerator creates and you’ll understand that the air conditioner is no different. The condensation drip line is installed to route the moisture away as your air conditioner causes it. The line runs either directly into the plumbing system or most often to the outdoors. This is a narrow tube that is supposed to only carry water through it. However, sometimes it can get clogged for one reason or another. Then the line backs up and results in an indoor leak. If the condensation line gets clogged, the water will back up and drip all over the place underneath the air conditioner and at the connection of the drip line. Do you have waterproof flooring near your A/C unit? If not, it will get soaked and possibly ruined for good. If you don’t notice the leak for some time, it can create a mold problem. These problems are expensive to remedy. Even if you call in for just water cleanup and mold remediation, it’s expensive. This is one big reason to have your air conditioning tune up done just before the warm season. Your equipment actually needs more attention than that to ensure the condensation line stays free and clear. But at a minimum, at least you’ll have the line cleared at some point. Weakened, Dirty Air Conditioning Equipment The air conditioning tune-up will involve adjusting and testing the machinery. The HVAC technician will perform a big list of tasks that ensure the cooling system is operating properly. Some of the tasks will involve cleaning certain parts of the system. Leaving your air conditioner to work dirty will weaken the equipment. Weak parts lead to total air conditioning failure and eventually an early replacement. Having your air conditioning equipment tuned up yearly will help you to avoid these expensive problems. Air Conditioning Tune-Ups For Energy Savings Nobody should have to pay an electric bill that’s higher than it should be just because a machine isn’t functioning properly. A tuned-up air conditioner will always operate much more efficiently than a neglected one. The equipment you purchased is supposed to work at a certain efficiency level, but it will not be able to if it doesn’t stay maintained. A seasonal A/C tune-up will help the machine to function more efficiently.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
