5 Tips From Texas.

In Texas, having a fully functional air conditioner is not a luxury. It is a necessity. We depend on our air conditioning systems to keep us not only cool and comfortable during the Summer heat, but also keep us healthy and alive. So, it is easy to understand the panic one feels when they find the temperature in their home has crept up beyond what they have deemed desirable.

There are many reasons why an air conditioning system may not be performing as you would expect it to. Some of these issues may be complex and require the assistance of an experienced hvac professional to diagnose and remedy properly. However, many issues may be remedied through some basic diagnostic skills of the average homeowner with very little professional skills being necessary.

Listed below are a few basic steps any homeowner in Frisco can take in trying to solve this problem themselves or at least to help them have an idea of what may be going on with their air conditioner.

1. Dirty Air Filter- Regular maintenance is key to keeping your home’s air conditioning system running at peak efficiently and reducing breakdowns. The first thing we always recommend somebody calling in to our company with a question about their system not performing is “have you replaced your air filter in the last 30 days”. If the answer is “no”, this is as good of a place as any to begin your troubleshooting duties. The air filter may be placed in a number of different places depending on your home’s unique set up. In Texas, they are typically located in one of three places. If the indoor blower unit is located in a closet, you may find the filter housed in a filter rack located under the indoor unit itself. This will typically have a door on it that can be opened to reveal the air filter inside. If the indoor blower unit is located in an attic, the filter may be found near the unit in a box with a door on it that houses the air filter. Sometimes the air filter may be located inside of a vent in the ceiling. This is called a filter grille. Please feel free to reach out to us if you would like help locating your air filter. It is important to note that every system should be equipped with an air filter.
   If you find that the air filter is caked with dirt build up we recommend turning the system off for 2-4 hours before turning back on. A dirty air filter causes low air flow across your evaporator coil. This can create a situation where the evaporator coil will ice up. Until the ice has thawed from the evaporator coil, the system will not cool properly.

Pro Tip: Did You Know That The Arrow On The Air Filter Faces Toward The Equipment, In The Direction Of Air Flow? Carefully Insert Your Clean Air Filter Correctly To Ensure Proper Air Flow.

2. Tripped Breaker– Ok so your air filter is clean but you still are not seeing any results. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with what is happening so we can begin to narrow things down. Take a look at the outside unit to see if the fan is spinning on your condenser. If it is not, check your breaker labeled “AC” in the breaker panel. It could be as easy as resetting your breaker. (If the breaker is tripped and you reset it and it trips again, we recommend calling a professional for a more in depth diagnostic)
3. Dead batteries – Many thermostats require batteries to operate. If you don’t remember the last time you changed the batteries in your thermostat, it is possible this is the only thing you need to replace to restore power to your home’s air conditioning system. Most thermostats will pop off the wall with relatively little force, thus revealing the batteries. Try replacing these batteries and seeing if this corrects your problem.
4. Dirty Condenser Coils-Take a look at the coils on the outside unit. Oftentimes you may have to look behind the metal grades that serve as hail protection to see these. If you find they are caked with dirt, try rinsing these coils with a water hose. Be careful not to damage any of the fins while rinsing these. We recommend using a water hose with a nozzle attachment to regulate the pressure of the water. A quick rinse of the condenser coil may be all that is needed to bring your home’s air conditioning system back to life. If you have any questions on how to clean your condenser coil, please feel welcome to give us a call and we will walk you through the process step by step! After getting as much of the dirt and debris off of the coils we would still typically encourage a professional maintenance to expand on the work you have already done.
5. You have a switch off– Is the unit doing nothing at all? No action from the indoor unit or the outdoor unit? Oftentimes we find that in the process of performing work in an attic, somebody may have accidentally turned the switch off to their furnace. These switches can easily be mistaken for light switches. If you have had anybody performing any work in the attic recently (pest control, cable company, husband (: etc) it is possible they may have accidentally turned this switch off. Take a peek in the attic and look for any switches that may be in the “off” position. Restoring power to your indoor unit may solve your problem and save you some money on a service call!

Of course there are times when more experienced help may be required. In those situations we are more than happy to assist in every way we can to ensure you and your family stay cool and comfortable all summer long.

If you notice that your homes AC is making strange noises, or it is simply not cooling down your home, call Medley today. Join our “Family-Plan” to save all year long.

Did you know that maintaining your air conditioner is good for the unit and can have benefits for you, too? It’s kind of like maintaining your car or taking yourself in for a physical with your doctor. Everything needs to be checked out once in a while by a professional and your A/C isn’t any different. Even if you’ve never done A/C maintenance before, it might be right for you to call someone now. Here are some times when A/C maintenance is especially helpful:

• Your A/C in Frisco, TX is more than 10 years old. Most units start to work less efficiently at about the 10-year mark. Getting maintenance performed at this point can let you know the state of your A/C. Is it working well? Does it need some repairs to continue working efficiently? Is it on the brink of breakdown and it’s time to think about replacing it? Only maintenance can tell you for sure.
• You haven’t had A/C maintenance in at least a year, or you don’t know when it was last maintained. Your unit should get tested and cleaned at least once a year. If you aren’t doing this, you could end up with a big problem that could have been prevented. Maintenance involves testing every component, so it will tell you if something isn’t running as well as it could be.
• You want to save energy. When we maintain your A/C, we will clean off the condenser coils and any other areas where dust and debris can accumulate. This allows your A/C to pull in air without working so hard, which means you will save energy.
• You want to save money. When your A/C isn’t using as much energy, you’ll save money on every bill. You will also save money when you don’t have to replace your unit as often. Since it won’t be working as hard, chances are good that your air conditioner will last longer. A longer lifespan means that you’ll have more money to spend on things that are important to you.
• You have questions about how your air conditioner is working. Were you having some problems with your A/C when you turned it off for the fall and winter? Or maybe you’ve turned it on already and you’re noticing that it’s not working quite right. Maintenance can be the first step to figuring out if something has gone wrong. If maintenance doesn’t fix the problem, then we’ll look deeper for more solutions.

When we perform maintenance on your air conditioner, we’ll check every component according to the manufacturer’s standards. This helps us to know what is and is not working well and it can help us diagnose potential problems or issues that may be coming up for you. We’ll change your filters if you have some available, then clean out the unit. At the end, we’ll let you know what we’ve found and what we recommend to keep it running well as long as possible.

Even though it might be cold today, summer in Coppell, TX is coming. You may be ready for it, but is your air conditioner ready to take on the task of cooling your home through another long summer? Make sure it’s as ready as it can be by preparing it for the task. If you are too busy or you’re not sure how to do something, give us a call. We’ll make sure your A/C is in top shape and is ready to work for you this year.

Change Your Filter

Sure, you hear this all the time, but you hear it because it’s true. Changing the filter can do a lot to help your A/C run better. When the filter gets dirty, your A/C has to work extra hard to do its job. This means that it experiences extra wear and tear throughout the unit and that the motor may get tired faster. Changing the filter is easy and straightforward and goes far toward extending the longevity of your AC unit.

Clean Your Condenser Coils

These are located in the A/C unit itself. You know that big box outside your house? That’s it. Take off the side panels or the top panel – whatever is easiest on your unit – and remove any dust or debris that has gathered on the coils inside. This keeps air flowing smoothly through the unit so it can work efficiently all summer long.

Check Your Coolant Lines

These are the lines that run between your home and the air conditioner. They are usually covered with insulating foam or tape. If you see cracks or gaps in that insulation, replace it. That way, the coolant that runs through the lines will stay as cold as possible, making your A/C run as efficiently as possible. You can buy whatever type of insulation you choose at your local hardware store.

Check Your Concrete Slab

Your A/C until should be sitting on a flat concrete slab outside your house. Make sure that slab hasn’t shifted with all of winter’s freezing and cooling. This expands and contracts the ground and can throw the slab off balance. If it’s not flat, your unit won’t run as efficiently. Don’t worry, though. These are usually easy to shift back into place. Pry the slab up with wood or metal, then scoop dirt or rocks under it. Lower it back down and make sure it’s level. Do this as often as necessary to keep it flat.

Inspect The Wiring You Can See

There is wiring between your home and the air conditioning unit. This should be in good condition, without cracks in the plastic coating or any other problems. If something seems off, call in a professional to fix it before you turn on your A/C.

Keeping your air conditioner in great shape isn’t hard. It just takes a few minutes of your time. Once you’ve checked it, you can feel confident turning it on and using it all summer long.