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During summers, the single most important appliance in your home in Dallas, TX, is the air conditioning unit. The AC unit helps maintain indoor temperatures within the comfortable and cool ranges of 67 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that air conditioning consumes 18 percent of annual household electricity use. And according to federal census data in 2013, American households spent a total of $7.2 billion installing and replacing air conditioning units.

Having your air conditioning unit working in its best state is the least you could wish for during the summertime. However, your luck may run out, leaving you with a non-functioning air conditioner and a sweltering, uncomfortable home.

In such a situation, it would be best to call for the services of an AC repair company to fix your air conditioning unit. So why would your AC suddenly stop working as it usually does? Read on to find out.

Dirty or Clogged Air Filter

The purpose of the air filter, as its name suggests, is to prevent dust and dirt from entering the ducts. A clogged air filter is the most common reason for a malfunctioning air conditioning unit. The dust that has accumulated on the filter prevents the passage of air into the unit.

The unit is therefore forced to exert more force to push air through the filter. In some extreme cases, this might lead to the unit malfunctioning, requiring an AC repair company to do a replacement.

This occurs when the obstructed air goes back into the evaporator coil, causing it to freeze and break down. If you own pets that shed fur or have your air conditioning running constantly, you will need an AC repair company to replace the filters at least once a month.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Condenser

The outdoor condenser helps the unit to dissipate the heat from the house to the outside environment. Any dirt and debris on the condenser will block the heat transfer process and thus reduce its efficiency. If the condenser is significantly dirty, a visit from a professional AC repair company is recommended for a thorough clean-up.

As a Dallas, TX, homeowner, you probably have ornamental plants and shrubs in your backyard. Although aesthetically pleasing, they might reduce the airflow available to the unit, especially if they grow close to the condenser. It is a good idea to have a bit of space between your plants and the condenser to function well.

Low Refrigerant Level

The refrigerant is the fluid that enables the air conditioning unit to function. A refrigerant widely in use is freon, which is a halogenated hydrocarbon. It has a low boiling point, thus changes into vapor in the evaporator coil when it absorbs heat from inside your home.

It is then pumped into the outdoor condenser, where it releases the heat to the environment and turns back into a liquid, and the cycle continues. Clearly, with a decreased refrigerant level, the process will not be efficient.

The most likely reason for a low refrigerant level is a leak within the unit, as found by service experts. In this case, a licensed AC repair company will be needed to fix the leak and fill the refrigerant to the required level.

Damaged Compressor

The compressor is an essential part of the air conditioning unit. It keeps the refrigerant flowing between the condenser and the evaporator. It also increases the pressure on the gas, concentrating the heat within it, thus helping it to dissipate quickly into the environment.

If damaged, the whole unit will not perform as intended. A professional AC repair company, when contacted, will help identify the problem and fix it or replace the compressor.

Inappropriate Size of Air Conditioning Unit

Getting the right size of an air conditioning unit for your home is quite essential. A unit that is too small for your house will exert more work to cool your home, leading to an early breakdown.

On the other hand, units too big for your house will cycle on and off too quickly, negatively impacting their efficiency. Always get your local AC repair company to assess your house’s needs and recommend the required size of air conditioning unit for your home.

The Fan on the Inside Is Not Working

This might be caused by the evaporator coil and refrigerant lines having ice on them. Allow the ice to melt, and then check if the fan is working.

If it is not working, the coil will likely have frozen. In such a case, you will need to call an AC repair company to check the extent of the damage and recommend a solution.

The Fan on the Outside  Is Not Working

This can be caused either by a faulty start capacitor or the fan’s motor not working. You may need to call your local AC company to fix the issue.

The Unit Might Have an Old Thermostat

The thermostat activates and deactivates your air conditioning unit when the room reaches a specific temperature known as the pre-set. The unit at your home may have the old dial control version, which may be wrongly calibrated.

You can solve this problem by having a technician from an AC repair company recalibrate it or replace it with a programmable digital thermostat. This device is convenient since you can control it using your smartphone in Dallas, TX, or anywhere else in the world that has internet access.

Call Today!

K&S Heating & Air is your trusted heating, ventilation, and air conditioning company serving the local area and beyond. Besides AC repair, our technicians excel in installing heating systems, central heating, controls, and thermostats. We also mount and repair ductwork, HEPA filters, fans, ventilation, furnaces, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. Call us today for world-class solutions.