Warning Signs Your AC Won’t Make It Through Another Texas Summer
Have you put your ear to the air conditioner and heard some unfamiliar noise? Is the home feeling warmer than it ought to be for all the energy you are putting into it? One has to ask whether the unit will make it through yet another North Texas summer.
You have come to the right place if such things are on your mind. Our team at Dallas Plumbing & Air Conditioning can spot an AC in trouble before it gives up entirely; we have been putting North Texas families at ease since 1903. A phone call to 214-227-9459 and we will see to it.
In this part of the country an air conditioner is put to work like nowhere else, particularly when the thermometer is over 100 for weeks. An AC that was barely getting by last year may not have what it takes for one more season. Heed the warning signs and you will avoid a complete breakdown when the heat is at its worst.
The Sounds You Should Pay Attention To
There is a reason for the noise when your AC does not run with its normal quiet hum. More often than not it is a matter of parts coming loose or wearing out.
We would have you pick up the phone if you hear any of the following:
- Grinding or scraping of worn bearings
- Banging or clanking from a broken piece within the unit
- Squealing indicative of a belt or motor issue
- Electrical components that are buzzing or humming
- Repeated clicking as the unit makes an attempt to start
Some homeowners will let these noises go by and hope for the best. They do so at their peril, as what is a minor sound today is an expensive failure down the road.
Weak Airflow and Uneven Cooling
Go from room to room. You will notice a bedroom is invariably warmer than the others, or the air from the vents is not much to write home about even with the system in full swing.
That is how a system in distress shows itself. It could be an old unit, a clogged filter, the compressor on its last legs or ductwork that is leaking. When the AC is no longer able to put cool air where it should be, rising outdoor temperatures will only compound the matter.
Your Energy Bills Are on the Up-Tick
Check the last couple of electric bills. If they are creeping higher for no good reason and you have not altered your routine, look to your air conditioner. A unit that is past its prime must run longer and put in more work to get to the temperature you want, and you will see the cost of that on your bill.
Then again, an AC consuming that much energy is usually near the end of the line. An inspection will put your mind at ease as to whether a repair or a replacement is the wiser course.
Short Cycling and the Like
An AC is meant to cool your home and turn off in due course. When it is short cycling, switching on and off in quick succession, or running without ceasing, there is a problem.
Look for the unit to:
- Kick on and off every few minutes
- Run nonstop to no avail
- Have difficulty starting once it has shut down
- Leave the house humid while in operation
All that puts a strain on the system. In the Texas heat it is enough to finish off a worn out unit.
Leaks, Smells and the Age of the Unit
Ten to 15 years is a fair life span for most air conditioners. After that each summer is something of a risk. Be on the lookout for water around the unit, refrigerant leaks or anything musty or burning from the vents. Such things warrant a professional’s eye.
Do Not Put It Off
There is no better time to address a failing AC than before the mercury rises, as opposed to in the middle of a July heat wave with your family in discomfort. We are a family firm in our third and fourth generation and have been the choice of those in Dallas, Fort Worth, Tarrant and Collin counties for well over 100 years. We give you an honest assessment and free estimates, and are here for emergencies day or night.
Make the call to 214-227-9459. Let Dallas Plumbing & Air Conditioning ensure your home is cool all summer, do not wait until your AC decides to quit.