When your HVAC is out of whack: Tips to keep your AC running cool and smooth

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The recent Woodlands area power outages were a sharp reminder of how fortunate we are to live in the 21st century; it’s hard to imagine anyone surviving this Texas heat, say, anytime before the 1950s. If there were a spot poll about what a Texan would rather give up: AC or wifi, chances are the voters would rather read a book in a cool room.

While we Texans may be made of sterner stuff than most (and could probably ‘make do’ with fans and gallons of sweet iced tea), each and every one of us would feel a pit in our stomach if our air conditioning unit went out in our home. Much like a car, however, some simple maintenance can keep your maintenance and repair bills down and your electric bill from skyrocketing.

According to Chad Jones, owner of TCS AC and Heat, a locally owned and operated HVAC (heat, ventilation, air conditioning) business since 1991, the key to surviving summers without heat stroke is annual preventative maintenance on your systems, which is why it’s important to him and his company to predict, preempt, and prevent issues before they happen whenever possible.

“When we come out, we check everything involved in the system, so that you don’t have to worry about your water pans, flow lines, sheetrock, or any of the secondary issues involved with a broken AC,” he said.

Adding to the already headache-inducing issues of AC maintenance is the fact that mandates ordered by President Obama eight years ago have recently gone into effect; basically, any parts in your current system that go out of order must be able to be matched to newly mandated systems to fulfill the mandates. For example, if you have a 10-year-old system that suffers a broken part, the replacement part can’t just be a comparable one to the original; it must match current standards, possibly skyrocketing the price of an otherwise simple replacement.

“If you make sure your system is maintained annually, you can get in front of any major repairs,” said Jones.

There are several warning signs a weakened, weakening, or wayward HVAC unit can provide, allowing you to take prompt action.

Warm air blowing – This can be caused by something as innocuous as a clogged air conditioning filter that can be purchased for a few dollars at the grocery store, or as obnoxious as a refrigerant leak, or something major like a failing compressor. If you’re getting an air flow that’s warmer than usual, immediately replace the filters throughout your house; if the problem persists (the change should be near immediate), get ready to make a call.

Breaker keeps tripping – If your unit keeps tripping your circuit breaker (which is typically a separate one from the rest of your house), it could be a sign of a faulty or dead compressor. You’ll need to shut off the entire system and call for repair.

Funky smells – If your air flow is accompanied by unusual smells, this isn’t something to be taken lightly. It could be caused by an electrical issue and you’re smelling burned wiring. Or it could be due to mold in your system, and every minute the air blows the more mold can insinuate throughout your entire house.

Noises – If your AC unit starts making more or louder noises than usual, much like your car, you might need to get some simple parts replacements done before things get out of hand. From worn bearings to loose belts to failing motors, each sound is an audible warning sign.

“The little things can make a big difference,” said Jones. “At TCS, we take great pride in making sure that every detail is covered. A few examples of the extra attention we put in to making you a satisfied customer include guaranteed same-day service, free second opinions, no overtime charges, a carbon monoxide detector included with every furnace install, and a guaranteed reliability that certifies we’ll be there when we say we will, or it’s free.”