Altus, Oklahoma Professional AC Tune Up Services
When your air conditioner starts making noise or fails to cool your home as needed during the summer months, it can be cause for concern. Before you even start to buy a new AC unit, you may want to look into an AC tune-up first. Sometimes, your unit needs to be given tender loving care to work like a new one. A professional can check your unit and its various parts in order to diagnose the problem and give some ideas for solutions.
Normally, air conditioning units last about 10 years before they need a replacement, and it is recommended that they be serviced once a year to keep them running for a long time. If your system still has a few years left before hitting the 10-year mark, let an AC specialist take a look before paying out more money than is needed on a brand-new replacement.
Why is an AC tune-up necessary?
The AC and HVAC system is made up of many parts and pieces that wear out and break down over time. Annual inspections and maintenance are the best ways to keep your unit functioning over a long period of time and can prevent problems from happening in the first place.
During the inspection they will:
- recalibrate the thermostat if needed
- clean or replace the air filter
- check the refrigerant levels
- clear the space in and around the unit from dirt and debris
- remedy any safety hazards
- clean and straighten the coils and coil fins
- Search for any leaks or cracks
These purposes of the check-up help to extend the life of a cooling unit and stretch the time between issues. An air conditioning system is a lot like a car in that it takes regular maintenance to keep it running efficiently. If you don’t get your device checked regularly, you could receive higher energy bills, notice different temperature levels at certain parts of the house and several more problems could occur.
You might not know that there’s a problem with your air conditioning system until you turn it on for the first time when the temperatures start to climb at the beginning of the summer. Because of this, the air conditioning unit should be checked before you need it, usually in the summer. Not having an air conditioner when it’s desperately needed is hard, and in some cases, it can even be deadly.
Do I need a tune-up or a total replacement?
In the event that you don’t have the foggiest idea about the intricate details of cooling units, you may not perceive when it’s arrived at its end or simply needs some attention. If you really don’t know if the unit is on its last leg, you can get an inspection from an AC professional, who can help you make the right decision. See the following list to help you decide if a total replacement is in order or you may just need a tune-up.
The thermostat isn’t working
A malfunctioning thermostat is often the cause of an air conditioning problem. A professional will check out the thermostat’s wiring and recalibrate it before assuming that the problem lies within the air conditioner.
Inconsistent temperatures throughout the home
It can be almost impossible to determine why your home isn’t cooling evenly without having a professional inspection. Your upper level is always going to be hotter than your lower one because of heat rising. However, drastic variations in the room temperatures suggest that there is an issue with the vents, ductwork, or even with the air filters.
Bad smells or noises
When your AC unit starts to make strange noises you should immediately take action on it. A component in it may be loose and needs to be repaired before extensive damage occurs. Sometimes, these issues can be addressed properly by replacing the whole unit. Burnt wires or mold in ductwork can lead to bad smells.
When the unit is inspected properly then the ultimate source of the problem will be determined. Often, all that’s needed is a simple cleaning or a minor repair.
Leaks
Dripping of liquids from an air conditioning unit is not a good sign. If it’s water leaking from the condenser or its refrigerant, the repairs are usually pretty expensive. It’s cost-effective to replace an overused unit than repair it.
High energy bills.
If your electric bills have been higher than usual lately, it may be because your air conditioner is working harder and using more energy to keep your home comfortable. Get your air conditioner serviced if you haven’t in a while.
If the unit happens to have received servicing recently, maybe the reason why it is having a problem is due to its old age and it just simply needs to be replaced already. When it is thoroughly inspected by a professional, then you will find out what needs to be done with it. If a replacement is warranted, your technician can identify appropriate, energy-efficient models.