AC Repair in Austin: Is Your AC Running as Efficiently as It Should?

An efficient cooling system is a necessity in areas where the temperatures are hot and humid. If your air conditioning system is not working efficiently it is costing you money instead of saving it. When performance drops it means that the system must work harder to do the same job and, therefore, will cycle on and off more often in an attempt to maintain a consistent temperature. How can you tell if your AC is working efficiently? Answer the questions below to find out.

Is Your Home More Than 15 Years Old?
 

Air conditioning systems are designed to last for 15 to 20 years on the average, but a system can begin to degrade around 10 years of age or so. If you are seeing signs of distress on the system it may be time to think about AC replacement as an alternative to another costly repair to keep it running. It may cost a little more but discounts and rebates will help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
 

Do Some Rooms Stay Cooler than Others?
 

Inconsistent heating and/or cooling is another tell-tale sign that your system is nearing the end of its usefulness. All electrical parts and components breakdown and degrade over time and your AC is no exception. If it is not able to maintain a consistent temperature from one area of the house to another you are losing money and sacrificing the comfort needs of the family members who use these areas.
 

Does the System Cycle Frequently?
 

Does your AC kick on and off too quickly? If it seems like your system is just running constantly this is a sign that it is not running efficiently and needs to cycle more often to keep up.
 

Are Your Energy Bills Too High?
 

If your current system is not running as well as it should it will consume more electricity trying to keep your inside temperatures steady. It will cycle more frequently which uses more electricity resulting in higher utility bills for the homeowner. While it is true that your air conditioning or heating system is responsible for a large portion of your homes energy consumption,  if it is running efficiently it does not use as much energy because it is not kicking on and off so often and temperatures will remain consistent if the home is insulated as well.
 

Have You Made Numerous Repairs?
 

If you have had to repair your system frequently it is definitely a sign that something is not right. Your cooling system needing frequent repairs is costing you money for the repair bills themselves and also for the extra electricity it consumes when it is not performing at its best. Replacing small parts is to be expected and is a necessary maintenance job, but eventually the system will need a total overhaul and repairing the system may be more costly than just upgrading with an AC replacement.
 

If you answered yes to many of these questions then you probably should look into replacing your old cooling system with an energy-efficient system that will save you money. These signs are red flags that your current system is past its prime and should be replaced. ABA Heating and Cooling carry the best in energy-efficient, Energy Star appliances and can install your new system quickly and have you back up and running in no time. Call for more information on the latest new heating and cooling systems.

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Common Air Conditioner Problems Calling For AC Repair in Austin

There are several reasons why your air conditioning unit may have stopped working. After checking all the simple things like making sure it’s plugged in,  the thermostat is on “cool” and set at the proper temperature, if it still does not work you may need to call a technician for AC repair in Austin. Most things can be fixed quickly without taking up too much time. The dead of summer is a bad time for your AC unit to be out of commission.

Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On

If you turn on your air conditioner but nothing happens it may be because your thermostat is defective or you are not getting power to the unit. You may have a short in the wiring, or the unit may have a safety feature built in that turns off the power to avoid damaging the unit.

Frozen Coil

If there is ice on the front of your unit the condenser coil has frozen up. This is often caused by faulty blower fans and dirty air filters that restrict airflow into the unit. Dirt, hair, and pet dander is trapped in the filters to keep the air inside the home cleaner, but if these filters are not changed often enough they can damage your system by restricting the air intake. It may also be low on coolant.

Fans Blow Out Warm Air

If your air conditioning unit is blowing out warm air it could be one of two things. The unit may be low on refrigerant or the compressor may have stopped working. It is not good to let it run in this state, it is advisable to turn it off and call an HVAC technician to inspect it. If it continues to run, the compressor can lock up and then it will have to be replaced which is more costly than just recharging the Freon levels.

Strange Noises While Running

Your unit may make strange noises at the beginning of the cycle that lessen and stop after it has warmed up, these noises are normal. If you hear a rattling noise, it could be a loose part that needs tightening. A hissing sound could be a hose leaking air or fluid. A grinding sound could mean that your fans are hitting against something or the motor is about to shut down.

In many cases, these problems can be detected and prevented by scheduling regular or preventative maintenance. Frozen coils, low refrigerant and restricted airflow problems can be detected during tune-ups and fixed before they become a problem. If you experience any of these issues, contact a NATE-certified technician to inspect your system and diagnose the problem.  Call ABA Heating and Cooling for all types of AC repair.

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AC Repair in Austin: What to Do If Your Air Conditioner is Blowing Hot Air

Air conditioners draw in warm air, “condition” it with refrigerant, and then blow the super cooled air out through the vents and duct work in your home.  When you turn the system on you should hear the fan or blower kick on and feel cool air coming out after a minute or two. If your AC unit is blowing out hot air instead you may have a problem. Here are some tips on what to do if your system is not working as it should.

Check the Thermostat

This may seem like a simple thing that most people would know to do, but often we forget to check to make sure that the system is set on “cool”, especially if you’ve had a few cold nights and used your furnace or you have children who may have accidentally turned it on the heat setting.  It may just not be set right. If it is set on the proper settings and you can hear the fan kick on, then the thermostat is doing its job.

Feel the Air Coming Out of the Vent

Let the system run for a few minutes and feel the air coming out. If it’s blowing out warm air then most likely it is probably low on refrigerant.  If this is the case, it is easy to remedy. You’d need to call an HVAC technician to recharge your refrigerant levels.

Turn the System Off

What you should do now is turn the system off and contact a certified HVAC company for a service call. It is important not to run your system when it is low on coolant because it can cause your compressor to lock up and once that happens, it becomes a costly AC repair job. Turning it off when you realize there is a problem will save your system from being damaged.

Expert Tips

The first thing to do when troubleshooting any type of electrical equipment is to check the simple things first. Often times it is a simple thing like the system not being set at the right temperature or it has been turned off. If you check these things first and it does not resolve the issue, then the next logical step is to call someone who has experience with heating and cooling systems and have them diagnose the problem.  If problems are addressed immediately, they are often less expensive to repair because other parts of the system have not become damaged yet.

Call an AC Repair Service

Your AC repair technician will inspect your system thoroughly; refill Freon and check to see that all connections are tight and that there are no air leaks. They will also want to check the condition of your compressor to make sure that it is working properly.  The most common reasons for a lack of cool air is low Freon or the compressor has stopped working.

 If your air conditioner isn’t working properly, remember the tips from above and call your AC repair service. ABA Heating and Cooling services all models of air conditioners and offers quick and speedy service at affordable rates. Don’t let problems go to long or you could end up needing a total AC replacement instead of a simple repair job.

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