Why a Refrigerant Leak Could be Dangerous in Your Austin Home

An air conditioner uses a refrigerant for the cooling process, and this refrigerant is hazardous to the environment, in general, if it is released. Air conditioning contractors in Austin recommend an annual inspection every year to check the refrigerant levels in an air conditioning system. You must have heard the term, leaky AC; it means that the air conditioner is leaking refrigerant or water. Most residential air conditioners use Freon, and this is a controlled substance, deemed hazardous by the environment protection agencies all over the world. If it leaks, it can cause depletion of the ozone layer. If plain water is leaking from the air conditioner, it is not dangerous, but it can affect the efficiency and working of the air conditioner. As an air conditioner user, you should not add or change the Freon level in the air conditioner  on your own.

According to environment protection laws, only an expert HVAC technician in Austin can install or remove refrigerant in an air conditioner. If there is a leaky AC, only an expert should handle it. Any loss of the refrigerant is not only harmful for the environment, but it will also reduce the efficiency of the AC. A 10% loss of Freon can cause an increase in the utility bills by as much as 20%. Low levels of Freon can also cause compressor failure, and wear and tear of the evaporator coils. A Freon leak should not go undetected, as it is very dangerous for the environment. These are chlorofluorocarbons, if inhaled these can cause a variety of health problems. An annual inspection every year can help in detecting the leaks. If you detect it yourself, you must call in a professional to repair it.

The latest air conditioner models on the market use a safer option of Freon, which is R410-A.  An air conditioner does not consume its refrigerant, so it should stay at the same level from the time it was installed. A leak can happen due to physical damage to the air conditioner, lack of maintenance, or from old age. It may not be possible to locate the leak visually, and certain tests are conducted and equipment is used to identify this kind of a problem.  

Ways to Fix a Refrigerant Leak With Your Austin Home's Air Conditioner

The cooling system of an air conditioner requires fixed levels of a refrigerant, and it is known as Freon. Freon is a combination of different chemicals; every air conditioner uses coolants to cool the air, and Freon is a non-flammable and odorless gas that should not leak from an air conditioning system. HVAC repair technicians receive many emergency calls for a leaky air conditioner in Austin, and most of the time it is a suspected refrigerant leak. When your air conditioner stops blowing cool air, and does not work as efficiently, it is an indication that the Freon levels are low. A refrigerant leak is quite common, though it should not leak at all.

Seasonal HVAC inspections by an AC technician in Austin is very important; it will not only prevent a leaky air conditioner, but will help in increasing the lifespan of your air conditioning system. This inspection will help in detecting any leaks; otherwise, it is hard to detect any such leak visually. Some leaks would show up later in the life of the air conditioning system. These leaks happen due to wear and tear and constant use. Remember, whatever the cause of a leak is; you have to call in a repair professional to fix it. You should get it fixed as soon as possible. An obvious indication of a Freon leak is water leaking from the air conditioner on to the floor, this happens because air conditioner is low on Freon and ice forms on the indoor coil.

If you are not getting normal airflow from the registers, and it is taking more time to cool the air in the house, your air conditioner is probably low on refrigerant. Another reason to get it fixed quickly is that the price of Freon is rising, and manufacturers no longer use Freon as a refrigerant, and they have to use the safer alternative that is R410A. If your AC still uses that discontinued refrigerant, the price to fix the leak may be much higher than before. Air conditioners 2+ in age still use R22 as a refrigerant. As mentioned before, you should not charge the refrigerant of the air conditioner on your own. Only an EPA certified technician should handle this.

Newer air conditioning units do not use Freon as a coolant, as it is not very safe for the environment; invest in a new, environment friendly and efficient air conditioner for your home. If in any case you are able to locate a leaking spot in your air conditioner, remember to switch it off completely before performing any sealing. You can apply a leak sealant on the spot; certain devices can help locate a leaking spot. If the leak sealant is not serving the purpose, call a qualified repair technician to inspect it.

Buying a New Air Conditioner With Better Energy Efficiency in Austin

When you make the decision to buy a new air conditioner for your home, you should consider all the factors involved in the process. A new air conditioner with a higher energy efficiency rating will help in cutting down on utility bills; along with it, regular AC tune-ups in Austin will keep your system in great condition throughout the year. Upgrading to a new and efficient system is a great decision; experts recommend buying an air conditioner with a SEER of 13 and above. Many things can go wrong while buying and installing a new air conditioner. Picking the right size of an air conditioner is very important; most homeowners have over-sized air conditioners. When this happens, the owner of the home has very high energy bills, and the same goes for units that are too small. You will need to have your home and cooling needs properly assessed by a professional before making a final buying decision. The cooling capacity is measured in BTU; one ton of cooling is equal to 12,000 BTU of cooling capacity.
 

An over-sized air conditioner uses more energy, making you pay higher bills; it does not remove humidity from the air, and makes a lot of noise when turned on. Hire an experienced contractor in Austin for calculating the cooling needs of the home. He or she should take measurements of each room and measure the level of insulation in the attic and walls. The guidelines set by the Air Conditioner Contractors of America assist in calculating the amount of cooling a home needs. Another consideration is the number of residents in a home.
 

These latest air conditioners are quiet, stylish and easy to maintain. The more you know about air conditioners, the easier it will be to make an informed buying decision. These newer systems help control humidity, and maintain an even temperature in your home; you can decide the brand of the air conditioner by contacting an expert HVAC company in your area. After you have purchased and installed a new air conditioner, do not forget to maintain it properly, seasonal AC maintenance is very important for the cooling capacity and efficiency of the AC.

Common Mistakes That Lead to an Air Conditioner Breakdown in Austin

Summertime in Austin means that everyone is going to use his or her air conditioners to full capacity, and if your AC went out last summer; it is likely to happen again this time if you haven't maintained it properly. It is no surprise that during the summer, HVAC companies get the most emergency repair calls for air conditioner breakdowns, but there are ways you can prevent this from happening. In this article, we highlight the common mistakes homeowners make that lead to an air conditioner failure. When an air conditioner is working around the clock in hot and humid conditions, something can go wrong with it. A seasonal tune-up before the cooling season can prevent air conditioner failure and other AC related problems in the summer. Disregarding regular maintenance is the top mistake people make that leads to costly AC repairs.
 

The company that makes your air conditioner and your utility company in Austin recommend regular maintenance of the air conditioning system, and in many cases, the warranty will be void if you do not maintain your air conditioner properly or try to do it on your own. If you wonder why your AC went out last summer, it is probably due to lack of regular air conditioner maintenance. A new and modern AC also requires maintenance and inspection. Regular inspection of an air conditioner does not cost much. Schedule the maintenance early during the spring season so that the experts can catch minor mistakes and perform repair work before a problem shows up. If you have an old air conditioning system and it breaks down or turns off quite often, it is probably  high time to invest in a brand new system with a higher energy efficiency rating.
 

Forgetting to change the air filter is a very common mistake; you need either to clean it or replace it with a new one when necessary. This can also lead to higher energy bills, poor air quality, and a pre-mature system breakdown. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the type of filter you have, and ways to replace it. Invest in a new filter that is highly efficient, and has antiviral or antibacterial properties. Another common mistake that people make is ignoring the noises that emanate from an air conditioner. These noises indicate some kind of damage, and air conditioners usually emanate buzzing, clacking and grunting noises can indicate an issue. A repair expert should inspect and identify the source of noise and perform necessary repair work.
 

What are the Common Problems With Window Air Conditioners in Austin?

Many homeowners prefer installing window air conditioners in their home. If you have a small house or an apartment in Austin, a window air conditioner is the right choice. For bigger homes, however, a central air conditioning system may help cutting down on energy costs. A window air conditioner may encounter problems in its working life, and you must know about these basic problems. Among the most common air conditioner problems are odd noises coming out of the unit. A window AC is usually installed inside the room, and the noises can really disrupt your sleep and everyday activities. Strange noises are quite annoying, noises such as rattling, grunting, screeching, and other noises are very common.
 

If very loud noises are emanating from the air conditioning unit, the culprit is usually the fan belt. If the fan belt is dislodged, it can cause this kind of issue. Call a repair technician in Austin to inspect it; if the fan belt shows considerable damage, the technician will replace it with a new one. It is wise not to rely too much on fix my air conditioner, do-it-yourself type of home guides. These guides can be misleading, as an air conditioner is a complex device, and a lot of care is required in handling it. Replace the fan belt with a new one if you want to put an end to the loud noise. The other most common problem with a window air conditioner is low levels of refrigerant. A leaky air conditioner can cause low levels of refrigerant in the unit. If insufficient levels of refrigerant were added into the AC at the time of installation, that can cause problems, too.
 

It is the job of a repair professional to inspect the levels of the refrigerant in a window AC. The AC technician determines the correct level of refrigerant. Too much or too low of an amount both can cause problems. If hot air is blowing out of the air conditioner, the reason is probably low levels of refrigerant. Homeowners should maintain their window air conditioners, and should sign up for a seasonal AC maintenance session. The AC technician will inspect all the parts of the air conditioner, and will perform cleaning jobs, and this will ensure that your air conditioner performs in the most efficient manner in the summer season. If you do not change the air conditioner’s filter regularly, this will lower the efficiency of the air conditioner. A pungent odor coming out of a window air conditioner is a very common problem, and it is mainly due to a dirty air filter.
 

You should clean or replace the air filter every month in the summer season to avoid bad odor problems. The pungent odor is mainly due to build up of large amounts of moisture in the AC unit. The inside cleaning of a window air conditioner should be done by an AC technician. Thermostat related issues are very common with a window AC, as well. In most cases, the sensor of a thermostat is dislodged, and it causes rapid changes in the temperature and insufficient cooling. The sensor of a thermostat should be placed properly.

What to Do When Your Air Conditioner Stops Working in Your Austin Home

An air conditioner breakdown is quite a nightmare in the scorching summer heat in Austin; an AC repair contractor can be a savior in such a time. Before calling up a repair technician, it can be beneficial if you try to determine the causes of a sudden breakdown. No one wants to wake up sweating, and to avoid this, you must get the air conditioner cleaned and inspected before the hot season starts. An air conditioner stops working due to a variety of reasons, lack of seasonal maintenance, general wear and tear, being an old AC, electrical wiring problems, and so on. Typically, air conditioners stop working or fail due to lack of proper maintenance, and many homeowners avoid seasonal maintenance that leads to bigger problems in the long run. If the air conditioner fails in the midst of the summer, follow a simple checklist to determine its cause.
 

Inspect the air conditioner when it stops working; has it completely stopped, or is it just blowing hot air? Was the air conditioner making noises before failing? You have to keep notice of all these things before you call an AC repair contractor in Austin. You should know what went wrong to be able to explain it to the contractor. Check the fuse and the circuit breaker, reset the breaker, and see if it solves the issue. If it is a blown fuse, the repair technician will replace it. A fuse can blow off due to power surges that are frequent in the summer. Have you cleaned the air conditioner’s filter recently? If the air conditioner blows air that smells foul or it is making noises, the reason may be a dirty air filter. A clogged air filter can make an AC run slowly, and send dirty air inside the house. Replace or clean the filter as indicated on the manufacturer’s manual. A dirty air filter can also cause allergies and other respiratory problems for inhabitants of the home.
 

If the air conditioner stops working suddenly, check the thermostat and make sure it is set at the right temperature, or turn it to the auto position. Replacing the batteries of the thermostat may also help. 

If you have gone through the checklist, and cannot turn the air conditioner back on, switch off the air conditioner, and call up a repair professional. Try other ways to lessen burden on the air conditioning system, such as closing blinds during the day, and protecting windows with a plastic film to prevent sunlight from coming into the house. Insulate the roof and windows to prevent overheating, and use a programmable thermostat to increase energy efficiency and to reduce energy bills. 

Ways to Find an HVAC Contractor for AC Repair in Austin

Heating and cooling appliances are the most important electronic devices in any home, and if something goes wrong with these devices, you must call in professional help before things get worse. In Austin, it is not possible to survive the harsh summers without an efficient cooling system, so if something goes wrong with the air conditioning system, you must call a professional AC contractor for the repair job right away. If an air conditioner breaks down in the middle of summer, it needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
 

Air conditioning service is a hands-on job, and it requires a lot of experience, special skills, and an AC contractor from a licensed company in Austin will provide a high quality service. If an HVAC contractor is not an expert in repairing old models, he or she will not be able to understand the working of newer models; again, hands-on experience is necessary. The most convenient way to search for a good contractor is through referrals. If you can find good referrals and ratings for a HVAC company, it would be easy for you to make a choice.  During the summer, an air conditioning unit can break during any time of the day or the night, so the contractor or company you should choose should provide 24-hour assistance and emergency services. If the contractors are not easy to access, it is a big turn-off. A good contractor is available most of the time, and is reliable.
 

The contractors from a reputable company are insured in case of an accidental injury at your home. Whenever you hire a company, always ask if they are insured and bonded; ask for the company’s registration, too. If a company is registered for AC repair in your area, they have gone through several checks at the state level; the insurance company of the contractors examines them before insuring them, as well. This will give you a great peace of mind.

 

While trying to choose a contractor, ask many questions, and also compare the quotes and prices. Comparing different contractors will help you make a good choice. A reliable contractor will visit your home for inspection before suggesting repair work. Most importantly, if the air conditioning system is serviced regularly, there is no way it would break down or fail unexpectedly. If you notice anything unusual with your air conditioning system, you must report it to your HVAC company. By establishing a good relationship with a reliable company, you benefit from discounts and comparatively lower costs, quick service, excellent customer support, and other benefits.