5 Things That Are Included In An Air Conditioning Service | Mansfield, TX
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The thing about your appliances is that they will easily fail if you don’t put any effort into maintaining them. The same thing goes for your AC unit. Even if you’ve recently installed a new unit or even if your AC unit is working properly, you should still schedule an air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX every year. This service will look at various components of the HVAC system.
Below, we’ll look at when you should schedule a service, as well as some of the things that are included in the air conditioning service.
When Is the Best Time to Schedule an Air Conditioning Service in Mansfield, TX
So, is there a better time to schedule an air conditioning service?
Most experts would work to amend that you schedule an air conditioning service in early spring or late winter. It really depends on the weather. You should pay attention to the weather trends. Once the weather starts warming up, call an HVAC company to perform a thorough air conditioning service in order to ensure that everything about the unit is functioning properly.
The reason why you should call for an air conditioning service in early spring or late winter is that this is right before you’ll need to turn on the unit frequently. Once the weather warms up, you’ll need to rely on the AC unit more often. If there’s something wrong with the AC unit, you’ll be inconvenienced if you need any repairs done at that time. By scheduling an air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX early on, you can get any repairs out-of-the-way before you actually really need an AC unit.
#1. Physical Examination and Inspection
The first thing that the air conditioning service should include is a physical examination and inspection of the AC unit, as well as the surrounding areas. Many homeowners don’t realize that the surrounding areas can tell you a lot about the AC unit.
For example, the contractors take a look at whether there is anything blocking the vents and the ducts. These blockages can highly affect the overall efficiency and performance of the air conditioning. If you’ve noticed that the AC unit does not function as efficiently, this could be a reason why.
If the surrounding areas appear to be damaged or in need of repairs, our contractors will make a note of it. Depending on what the problem is, the repairs may already be included in the air conditioning service. For example, if there are items blocking the outdoor vents and ducts, most contractors will fix the solution right away. However, if there are cracks or leaks, the contractors may ask you what you want to do about the problem. They can provide you with several solutions to choose from.
An Inspection of the Inner Components
An air conditioning service will also include a thorough inspection of the inner components. An experienced and licensed contractor will take the unit apart in order to examine the electrical components inside, as well as the ducts, the evaporator coils, the filters, and more.
In particular, one of the most common problems that many homeowners face is a frozen evaporator coil. This can happen if there is a refrigerant leak or if there’s too much dirt and dust inside the AC unit. When this happens, the AC unit becomes highly inefficient. The layer of ice surrounding the evaporator coil will prevent it from cooling the air in your home. You’ll likely notice that the AC unit no longer works as efficiently. In some of the worst-case scenarios, this can also cause the AC unit to blow warm air.
It’s important to discuss with the HVAC company what is included in the service. For example, some HVAC companies will thaw out a frozen evaporator coil if they notice it during the service. They might not necessarily charge you for this. However, some contractors will make note of the issue and then ask you whether you would like to fix it or not. If you decide that you want to fix it, they’ll offer you another quote.
This is why it’s so important to understand the terms and conditions of the air conditioning service ahead of time. By discussing what’s included and what’s not, you won’t be surprised by the bill at the end of the service.
#2. Recalibration of the Thermostat
Your AC unit is only as accurate and effective as the thermostat. If the thermostat is failing to record an accurate indoor temperature, your AC unit might be forced to work overtime. For example, if the thermostat is set to maintain the room at a certain degree, but it is off by several degrees, your AC unit might be constantly working overtime to deal with this issue.
During the air conditioning service, one of the most important things that the HVAC company will do is re-calibrate the thermostat. This can really help improve the overall efficiency of your AC unit. On top of that, it will also reduce waste of energy. If there’s something wrong with the thermostat, you’ll likely easily see a difference in your next utility bill once the thermostat is re-calibrated.
This is also a good time for the HVAC company to figure out whether the thermostat is functioning properly or not. If the thermostat is not functioning properly, the HVAC company may recommend that you replace it with a new one. Sometimes, the thermostat is functioning properly. However, it is not installed in an ideal location. For example, it might be installed in an area that’s directly exposed to sunlight. This thermostat may also record a temperature that’s slightly higher than the actual room temperature. In these situations, the HVAC company may recommend that you relocate the thermostat.
#3. Lubricate All Moving Parts
You’d be surprised by just how many moving parts are actually inside an AC unit. One of the main reasons why you should call a professional, Mansfield, TX HVAC company to conduct the air conditioning service instead of attempting to do it yourself is because there are so many parts that are involved. If you’re not careful, you can easily damage the AC unit. The cost of repairing these damages so far surpassed the cost of the service.
One of the most important things that a contractor will do when they are servicing your AC unit is lubricating all of the moving parts. This improves the overall efficiency of the AC unit and ensures that all of the parts will have a longer life. At the end of the day, you’ll spend less money on future repairs. Without proper lubrication, these parts are susceptible to premature wear.
#4. Check for Leaks
If there’s anything that you should avoid, it’s leaks. When it comes to the AC unit, you need to be careful of two different types of leaks: refrigerant leaks and water leaks. Both of these things can do different types of damage to your home.
Almost all AC units will require refrigerant in order to function properly. Unfortunately, refrigerant leaks are some of the most common problems that homeowners face. The primary issue with refrigerants is that it is a toxic chemical. If you do not fix things leaks, it could be damaging to the health of those who reside on the property. In fact, in some areas, it is illegal to not fix a refrigerant leak.
Water leaks, on the other hand, are not damaging to your health. However, they are extremely damaging to the structural integrity of your home. For example, if water is leaking out of your AC unit and onto your walls, the water can seep into the walls and encourage fungal growth. The water could also damage the wood in the walls, causing them to become weak. Water damage can be extremely costly to repair. In some situations, repairs may not even be possible. You’ll have to tear down the areas that are damaged.
Both types of leaks are a headache to deal with, which is why you want to catch the problems while they’re still relatively minor.
#5. Replace the Air Filters
Last but not least, the service should include an inspection of the filters inside the AC unit. In general, these units should be replaced every month or every other month. However, if you’re not someone who constantly turns on the AC unit, you might be able to get away with only replacing the filters every year during the service.
During the service, the contractor will be able to remove the filter and show you how dirty it is. How dirty the filter gets will also depend on the environment that you live in. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of air pollutants, the filter will get clogged fairly easily. On the same note, if you’re also a heavy smoker and constantly smoke indoors, you’ll also notice that you’ll go through filters a lot more quickly.
If you fail to replace the air filters when necessary, you can be doing a lot of damage to your AC unit. For example, a dirty filter will increase the risk of an evaporator coil freezing. A dirty filter will result in poor air quality as well, as the pollutants will be distributed throughout the circulated air supply.
Choosing the Right Type of Filter
During the service, you should ask the contractor about the type of filter that’s currently installed in your AC unit. You should also take this opportunity to learn more about the different types of filters that are available. Depending on your concerns, you might want to consider switching to a new type of filter.
For example, HEPA filters are some of the most common filters installed at home nowadays. These filters are able to remove about 99.7% of the pollutants that are inside the air. However, these filters are not necessarily the cheapest option available. If you have to replace them regularly, you could be spending quite a lot of money. On the same note, these filters also do not do a great job at removing and getting rid of microbes. They are, however, a great option for those who are struggling with asthma, allergy attacks, and respiratory conditions.
Those concerned about microbial activity and growth, especially considering today’s climate, should consider installing a UV filter. This type of filter will rely on UV light to kill almost every type of bacteria, virus, and fungal spores that are found in your air. However, these types of filters are not very good at removing pollutants like dirt, dust, and pollen. As a result, some people might want to install both a UV filter and either a HEPA filter or a pleated filter in their home for optimal efficiency.
Some filters are washable and reusable. However, others are not. You’ll need to replace them regularly. You need to take a bunch of factors into account when you’re considering the type of filter that’s best suited for your needs and for your household.
Schedule an Air Conditioning Service Today
If you fail to schedule regular air conditioning services, you might accidentally void your manufacturer’s warranty. If the system fails prematurely, the manufacturer might not be willing to cover any of the repairs that are needed. Another thing to note is that your AC unit may also require more repairs in the future if it’s not serviced regularly.
In order to ensure that you protect the validity of the manufacturer’s warranty, schedule an air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX with a reputable HVAC company, like Minuteman Heating & Air. We are able to offer a wide range of HVAC services. From the air conditioning service, we’ll be able to determine the overall condition of your unit. We can easily distinguish whether any areas are at risk of failing. It’s always better to deal with repairs while they’re still minor.
So, what are you waiting for? Schedule an air conditioning service with us today by calling 817-284-2569!