Don’t Get Caught in the Heat: When It’s Time to Consider AC Repair
Summertime can be so pleasant! Cool mornings (sometimes), warm to hot temperatures that allow us to appreciate the great outdoors, including water sports. Whenever it gets too hot, there is always an air conditioner indoors, relief, and comfort from the high heat and humidity. Inside is always good in the summer until the air conditioner breaks down and needs AC repair. Then, summer AC Repair issues can be very uncomfortable and even unhealthy.
Be Ready Before The Heat Hits
Breakdowns do not usually happen at convenient times. A weakened air conditioner will experience stress when the temperature begins to soar, the most common time for breakdowns. Unfortunately, similar things usually happen to many other air conditioners around town, so the demand for AC repair and or replacement will also soar. If your air conditioner is even a little suspect, we have two recommendations:
- Learn to recognize the early AC repair warning signs of air conditioner stress.
- Develop a relationship with an AC repair technician who does emergency repairs and replacements.
Recognize These Early AC Repair Warning Signs
Age
A very predictable indicator is the age of the air conditioner. Modern air conditioner systems last between 15 and 20 years. While a great maintenance plan can add another 5 years of useful life, the limitation is pretty universal. During 15 to 20 years of use, the air conditioner will complete hundreds of thousands of cooling cycles, each cycle causing minute amounts of wear.
Since the useful life of air conditioners is rather predictable, knowing the age of your air conditioner is a very important bit of information.
Poor performance
The result of wear on an air conditioner is usually a decrease in function and efficiency. It looks like this:
- The air conditioner may struggle to keep up with the cooling demand. First, this will happen during annual heat waves, when the temperature rises above 100 degrees. The next step will be the struggle that comes during normal summer heat.
- Another evidence of poor performance might be “hot spots.” The rest of the house may remain cool, but a certain room or rooms may not receive sufficient cooling to make them comfortable. Upstairs rooms or spaces at the end of long duct runs are often the hardest spaces to cool, therefore becoming hot spots.
- A weakened air conditioner system will cost more to operate. Maintenance may uncover needed repairs, and the repair cost often accumulates to an uncomfortable sum. The rising cost may also be uncovered when the utility bill arises, since inefficient components require more energy to achieve the desired results.
Unusual Experiences
Most air conditioners run very quietly and are barely noticeable. When a cooling cycle becomes very obvious, due to load noises—buzzing, screeching, or banging, do not wait. Make the call immediately. These noises will not go away on their own.
The air coming from the supply vents is the same air that exists inside of the home. When the air begins to have an odor—a musty or sour smell, it is a problem that needs to be addressed quickly.
Don’t Ignore These Serious AC Repair Warning Signs
If anything about the air conditioner system appears different or unusual, take note. Ice buildup on the air conditioner components is very serious. Water seeping or leaking from the air handler cabinet is also very serious. Again, these problems will not go away on their own.
It is always best to build a relationship with an air conditioning company before an emergency develops. Use the same firm to complete annual maintenance and repairs that may be needed. That way, when an emergency does develop, you are a valued customer who will receive preference when scheduling repairs.
As an award-winning, BBB-accredited AC Repair and Replacement South Houston contractor serving the League City and surrounding area, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service to our customers. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool.