Houston is consistently one of the hottest cities in the country.
Residents of Houston don’t need to be told how important their AC unit is, especially during the sweltering summer months. If your HVAC system shows signs of wear – or complete failure – you must act fast to get it fixed.
Sitting in a hot home without air conditioning isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s unsafe. You need a functioning HVAC system to avoid heat stroke and maintain safe indoor air quality. Today’s post will tell you what to do when your HVAC fails.
Searching, “AC repair near me” will get you the professional help you need, but there are things you can do while you wait for the technician to arrive. Keep reading and protect your HVAC system at all costs.
Reasons Your HVAC System Might Fail
If you’re going to react quickly to AC failure, you need to know what could go wrong. There are numerous reasons why your AC system might break down, including the following common issues:
It’s Too Old
The average AC system should have a 15-20 year lifespan, as long as it’s been well-maintained. If you aren’t sure how old your AC unit is and it’s showing signs of wear, the best thing to do is call in a professional to have it inspected ASAP.
As an HVAC unit is starting to reach its age limit, problems will start mounting. AC replacement is expensive, but it’s cheaper than repairing an older unit that will just keep breaking down.
Failure to Change Air Filters
Your air filters keep contaminants out of your home, preserving your indoor air quality and keeping your AC working well. We spend about 90% of our time indoors, so good air quality is essential to prevent airborne illness and allergies.
If you fail to change the filters every 90 days or so, your unit will have to work harder to cool your home. This results in short-cycling, which can cause a lot of wear and tear to your unit.
Dirt and Debris
The condenser unit is the outdoor component of your air conditioner that releases warm air outside. Being outside, it’s vulnerable to the elements. If leaves, branches, and grass clippings get inside the unit, it’ll prevent it from working properly.
Leaks and Blockages
Your interior unit can experience blockages and leaks as well. Keep an eye out for refrigerant leaks, as well as freezing and mineral buildup on your evaporator coils.
These things will drastically reduce your system’s efficiency. When left to get worse, it can result in HVAC failure.
Know How to Spot Signs of Failure
To spot signs of failure, you need to pay attention to your air conditioner by using your senses. If you see, hear, or feel anything out of the ordinary, it’s a good chance there’s something wrong. Ignoring signs is what will get you caught out when your AC unit fails.
Temperature Swings
If your AC unit is failing to cool your home properly, that’s a clear sign that you’ve got issues. A good way to test it is to set the thermostat and make sure all the vents are open. If it’s still not blowing cold air, check the evaporator coil for ice or mineral buildup.
Strange Noises and Smells
Strange noises are an obvious indicator of HVAC failure. You may hear rattling, hissing, or grinding when the unit turns on. These sounds could indicate anything from a broken motor to a refrigerant leak.
If you smell mold, it could be due to dirty coils or a blocked condensate line. In addition to HVAC problems, mold can cause a wide range of health issues, so it’s important to deal with this quickly.
Cycling On and Off
When you can hear the unit turning on and off without adequately cooling the home, it’s short cycling. As mentioned above, this causes wear and tear on the unit which will certainly lead to failure.
High Energy Bills
When your bills are skyrocketing for no apparent reason, it’s likely because your unit is working inefficiently. This is one of the first signs of trouble, so you can react to it. Failing to do so will result in far more than expensive bills.
Search “AC Repair Near Me”
Now that you know how to spot the signs of an upcoming HVAC failure, we’ll tell you how to deal with it. If you’ve gotten to the point that your AC isn’t working, you’re going to need professional help.
Typing, “AC repair near me” will give you the top HVAC technicians in your part of Houston. From there, you’ll need to figure out what the best option is for your AC problems.
Look at Ratings and Reviews
Ratings and reviews are the best way to separate the top HVAC repair services from the rest of the pack. Quickly single out the top-rated companies and look at their reviews.
You can find out a great deal from former customers. In particular, you want to look for red flags that might eliminate a candidate from contention.
Experience and Expertise
Once you’ve found 3-5 good options, look at experience and expertise. The best HVAC repair services will have many years of experience and professional certifications that promise a level of quality to their service.
Insurance and Warranties
Before you select an HVAC technician, make sure the company has insurance and offers warranties. Insurance is important if anyone is hurt on your property or your property is damaged in any way.
Service warranties guarantee that if there are any issues with your AC repair, the technician will come back and fix it at no cost. Manufacturer’s warranties do the same job, but for parts that the technician uses.
Obtain Quotes
Lastly, obtain quotes from a few companies to see how much the emergency repairs will cost. The best HVAC companies understand how expensive AC repairs can be, so they’ll offer financing to let you pay for them over time.
Get the Best AC Repair in Houston, TX From McCann Services
Now that you know how to recognize when your AC fails and what to do if it does, it’s time to tell you about the best AC repair in Houston. McCann Services has been helping Houston residents with their heating and cooling issues since 1957.
We’re a family-owned and operated business and we treat our customers like family too. When you search for, “AC repair near me”, you’ll find us, so don’t hesitate to contact us anytime, day or night, for any AC issues you’re having.