JD's Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

A Refrigerant Myth You Shouldn’t Believe, and Why

Monday, August 23rd, 2021

Do you know what the refrigerant in your air conditioner does? You’ve likely heard of it, and you know it’s important, but just how important? Well, the cooling process wouldn’t be possible without it! It’s literally the substance that allows your air conditioner to do its job and cool down your home.

There’s a common myth about this chemical though. And that’s that it depletes, like gasoline does from a car. On the contrary. your air conditioner is supplied with enough refrigerant to last its entire lifespan upon manufacturing. So, if your system is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak. Why is this such a big deal? Read on to find out!

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What to Do When You See Ice On Your Air Conditioner

Monday, August 9th, 2021
ice-on-ac-coil

When it comes to your air conditioner, you may think that it’s normal to see ice on it. After all, your air conditioner chills the air, so doesn’t that mean ice is involved?

Well… no. The thing is, if you see ice developing anywhere on your air conditioner–it’s most common on the evaporator coil–it means there is something amiss. We’ll dive into the problems involved with ice development below. Read on!

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Why Late-Season Maintenance Is Better Than No AC Maintenance

Monday, July 26th, 2021
two-technicians-working-on-outside-ac-unit

One of the most common questions we get this time of the year from our customers is “is it ever too late to have AC maintenance done?” Or they just avoid the question altogether and assume that it is too late and they should just wait for next year. But, you shouldn’t wait!

The only time it’s ever “too late” for air conditioning maintenance is if your cooling system is absolutely broken down, beyond repair. Otherwise, it’s never too late. In fact, consistency and frequency are actually more important than timing, even though we do technically recommend this service be done in early spring.

Getting your tune-up done before temperatures warm up too much gives your system its best chance to get through the entire summer without problems that could lead to big repair needs or premature breakdown. Unsure if this is really the case? Read on as we uncover some of the benefits of AC maintenance, even this late in the season.

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Don’t Wait: Schedule AC Repairs When These Signs Occur

Monday, July 12th, 2021

If you’ve got a problem with your air conditioning system, then it’s time for you to give us a call for quality and reliable repairs. We know it might seem like you can just wait, particularly if your air conditioner still seems to be running okay. We really want to discourage you from waiting though.

The problem with waiting on repair needs is that you give them time to grow worse. Plus, you threaten your system’s efficiency as well as lifespan, both of which will cost you in the long run. Read on to learn about the importance of prompt AC repairs as well as some signs to watch out for that you actually need AC repairs. What are they? Read on!

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Sounds You Never Want to Hear Your Air Conditioner Make

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

Someday, in the not too far off future, we may have air conditioners that self-diagnose problems and report them back to the homeowner.

This simply isn’t the case though–not yet anyway.

One of the most common signs that something is wrong with an air conditioner is strange sounds. What qualifies? Honestly, anything that’s different from the normal hum of the fans and the compressor, plus the occasional clicking as the system comes on and shuts down and the temperature fluctuations cause the ductwork to adjust.

What sort of sounds are we talking about? Well, we’ve listed 6 ominous sounds below. If you hear any of them, please give our team a call right away.

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AC Installation: Does Size Matter?

Monday, May 17th, 2021
smiling-technician-working-on-ac-unit

The official start of summer is right around the corner, and we all know what that means. It’s time to make sure that your air conditioner is in the best shape possible to handle higher temperatures. Despite our crazy blizzard like temperatures we had just a few short months ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that this summer will be hotter than most in the U.S.!

If this concerns you to the point that you’re wondering if your aging air conditioner has what it takes to keep you cool this season, then it may be time to consider an upgrade.

And no, we don’t want you to rush out and find the biggest, most powerful air conditioner on the market, because that could actually leave you with an inefficient system and a lack of comfort rather than the other way around. We encourage our customers to carefully consider their air conditioning system purchase. Bigger is not always better, and this applies to air conditioners as well. Yes size and power matter, but not necessarily in the way you might think.

Read on as we go into why an undersized unit won’t do you much good, and why an oversized air conditioner will leave you disappointed too.

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Heed These Signs Your AC Needs Help

Monday, April 19th, 2021
two-techs-working-on-outdoor-ac-unit

So let’s say you’ve just come in from your kids’ little league game, or you just went for a morning run. You are likely looking forward to relaxing in your home with the air conditioner blasting on you, right? So you set the thermostat to where you like it, and you wait for the system to cycle on.

Wait, what’s that? You turned it on but you don’t feel cool? This is no time of the year to be stuck with a malfunctioning air conditioner!

You’re a lot less likely to be surprised by this if you have routine annual maintenance done for your air conditioner. During maintenance, our team thoroughly inspects, cleans, and adjusts components that need it, ensuring that your system is able to run as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible. Even with maintenance though, it’s a good idea to reach out if your system is showing any signs that it needs repair. So what are these signs?

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AC Compressor Damage: Should You Repair or Replace?

Monday, April 5th, 2021
compressor

Well-maintained air conditioners are designed to last about 10-15 years, but throughout that time there are some issues that can befall it, whether it’s from natural wear and tear, a manufacturer defect, or some other type of event. Considering how much we need our AC systems to work reliably in this climate of ours, you want to take care of any of these issues right away.

One of these potential problems is a broken down compressor. While with other AC components replacement is typically the best option, replacing a compressor component can be very expensive, since it is the most expensive component of your air conditioner.

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Help Your Air Conditioner Cool Your Home Better!

Monday, March 22nd, 2021
vent-low-on-wall

The cooling season is right around the corner, and when you start using your air conditioner this spring and summer, you want to do so efficiently, right? After all, while it is of course vital to have proper air conditioning in the Lubbock area, nobody wants to pay an arm and a leg to stay comfortable in their own home.

This is one of the reasons maintenance is so important. Air conditioner maintenance helps your AC system perform as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. But maintenance isn’t the only way to help your air conditioner cool your home better. Read on to learn some other methods you can take too.

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Is It Too Early to Tune Up Your Air Conditioner?

Monday, March 8th, 2021
standard-wall-clock-on-white-background

With the crazy winter we just experienced, it’s hard to imagine that it’s almost time to start thinking about our cooling systems. But you know as well as we do that when it does get hot in our area, it gets hot fast, and you need a fully functional and reliable cooling system to keep you comfortable and healthy all summer long. So, if you’ve had your air conditioner for a year or longer, no, it’s not too early to tune it up!

Properly maintaining your air conditioner on a regular basis will help it to work as efficiently as possible, costing you less money to run it every month. Plus, maintenance helps prevent problems that can shorten its lifespan and/or leave you with expensive repair bills. Read on to learn more!

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