Category: Heating

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Heating HVAC

3 Signs It’s Time For A Tune-Up

Fall is in full swing, which means winter is just around the corner. Soon you will be turning on your heater to stay warm and cozy in your home. Turn on your heater before it gets too cold to make sure it is working properly. It may be time for a tune-up, so fire it up before it is too cold and you are left without heat for a day or two while waiting on a repairman. You can avoid expensive repairs by keeping your heater tuned up and in good shape. Here are 3 signs it’s time for a tune-up.

Your Heater Isn’t Producing Heat

If your heater isn’t producing enough heat, it is definitely time for a tune-up. This seems obvious and maybe even a little silly to mention, but it is not uncommon for people to delay repairs in hopes that it will warm up eventually. Your heater is a machine that can’t fix itself, so if it is malfunctioning it is up to you to call out a repairman to check it out.

If your heater is not heating your home to a comfortable temperature, it is time for a tune-up. Don’t try to tough it out, the Dallas winter get’s intensely moist and cold. Stay warm and stay safe, it is time for a tune-up if your heater isn’t heating properly.

Your Heater Is Producing a Strange Smell

It is relatively normal for a heater to emit a strange smell for a few minutes the first time you turn it on for the season. Your heater sat unused for months over the summer, so it will of course need just a little time to warm up. If it continues to smell weird for more than just a few minutes, it’s time for a tune-up.

Dust and debris can build up in your heater over time. Leaves from the fall, grass clippings from summer, and pollen from last spring are all things that collect on and around your heater. They build up and when you turn your heater on for the first time of the winter season, it can cause a strange smell. 

An HVAC professional can clean the debris out quickly and easily, and address any other problems that may be causing a smell. 

Your Heater Is Making Weird Noises

If you notice strange sounds coming from the direction of your heater, it’s time for a tune-up. If you hear things like hissing, grinding, or clanging, call a professional for help. Problems such as hissing could indicate a crack in the pipe, and a crack in the pipe can be very dangerous. Depending on which pipe could be cracked, you could be losing valuable warm air or it could be releasing gas into the air or your home.

Both of these issues are dangerous, if gas is leaking that is a severe danger to your health and safety. People need oxygen to breathe, not natural gas. Not to mention the other dangers and fire hazards associated with gas usage. 

If it is leaking hot air into the air and not your home, your gas bill will be much higher due to the fact you will have to run your heater at a higher temperature and for longer periods of time to get any heat in your home while the rest of it escapes into the air outside. It is time for a tune-up when you hear strange noises.

Call Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating For A Tune-Up

It is time for a tune-up! Call Ellis Air Conditioning And Heating at (972) 362-1501 for your winter tune-up. Don’t tough these problems out. They won’t get better without the hands of a professional repairman. Contact us with any heating problems you may have. Our repairmen can get your heater back to 100% in no time.

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Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades Tips and Advice Uncategorized

Prevent Fires In Your Home

Prevent fires in your home this October. There are many common causes of house fires, and the second most common cause of house fires right after cooking mishaps is heating. October is a month dedicated to fire prevention and safety awareness. The NFPA works to spread fire safety awareness to honor those who died or were harmed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This fire killed hundreds of people, left thousands homeless, and burned thousands of structures. This is an example of a time when a fire got out of control and why it is so important to prevent fires in your home.

Use Your Heater Properly

It is important to use your heater properly to prevent fires in your home. Whether you are using your home’s central furnace or a small space heater, it is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent fires in your home. When you turn your heater on there is always a small risk, they get very hot and they use a lot of energy to generate heat for your home. 

Take extra precautions to make sure your heater is clean and has a clear area with no flammable materials near it. Make sure your heater is clean and free of flammable particles of dust. Make sure the area around your heater is clear. One of the main things a heater needs in order to not pose a danger to you is space. 

Each year before you turn on your heater for the first time in the season, inspect it to make sure there are no signs of damage. Frayed cords and other problems that will be easy to spot are great things to look out for. You can avoid fire danger by looking for these signs.

Take Extra Precautions

There are extra precautions you can take to prevent fires in your home. One of the top tips to prevent fires is to make sure your heater has the safety seal of a qualified testing laboratory. These heaters will have essential features such as overheating protection and automatic shut-off.

The biggest safety precaution you should take is to create a just-in-case escape plan for you and your family. The NFPA’s fire prevention message this year is, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” Fire spreads very quickly. In fact, after your fire alarm or smoke detector goes off, you only have about 2 minutes to get out of your home safely. 

Create a plan with your family to use the fastest way to exit your home in the event of a fire. Make sure that everyone is aware of the plan and walk through each step of the plan with the family. In the event of a real emergency, you will only have a few minutes. 

Fire very quickly becomes out of control. You have to make a plan before the moment comes to use the evacuation plan. Though these tips significantly help reduce the risk of fire in your home, they won’t eliminate the possibility of fire danger altogether. 

Call Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating

The season to turn your heater on is rapidly approaching. Call us at +1-972-895-7498 for a tune-up on your heater. We provide cleaning and seasonal maintenance to help you and your family stay safe from fires. Prevent fires in your home with Ellis Air Conditioning And Heating this fall and winter. Contact us anytime you need heating maintenance. We have been helping people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for 45 years and are proud to continue to offer our HVAC service.

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Heating

Do You Need to Replace Your Furnace This Winter?

As winter approaches, ensuring your furnace is in top condition is crucial for maintaining a warm and comfortable home. At Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating, we’re here to help you determine if it’s time to replace your furnace, ensuring your home stays safe, efficient, and cozy throughout the colder months. If your furnace has reached the 15 year mark, it may be worth having a professional come in to inspect it.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace

1. Age of the Furnace

On average, you can expect your furnace to last 15-20 years. If your system is within or exceeds this range, it’s likely time to consider a replacement to avoid unexpected failures during peak heating season.

2. Rising Energy Bills

Unexplained increases in your energy bills could indicate your furnace is losing efficiency. As components wear out, the system works harder to maintain the desired temperature, leading to higher energy consumption.

3. Frequent Repairs

If your furnace frequently needs costly repairs, replacement may be a better investment. The 50% rule suggests that if repair costs are half the price of a new furnace, it’s time to upgrade.

4. Uneven Heating

Inconsistent temperatures across different rooms often indicate that your furnace is struggling to distribute heat effectively, a common issue in aging systems.

5. Strange Noises

Loud banging, rattling, or screeching noises from your furnace are signs of mechanical problems. These noises often signal failing components that may require a system replacement.

6. Visible Wear and Tear

Rust, cracks, or soot around your furnace or registers are clear indicators of deterioration. Such wear may lead to safety concerns, including carbon monoxide leaks.

7. Poor Air Quality

Older furnaces can negatively impact indoor air quality, causing increased dust, dryness, and potential health issues. A replacement can ensure a cleaner, healthier environment.

8. Yellow or Flickering Flame

A properly functioning gas furnace should have a steady blue flame. A yellow or flickering flame indicates incomplete combustion and poses a carbon monoxide risk.

Benefits of Replacing Your Furnace

Modern furnaces are equipped with advanced technology that provides superior heating while using less energy, resulting in lower utility bills and enhanced efficiency. These new systems offer consistent heating throughout your home, eliminating uneven temperatures and ensuring maximum comfort in any weather. By investing in an energy-efficient furnace, you also contribute to a greener environment, as these systems help lower your carbon footprint and support sustainable living.

Why Choose Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating?

  • Experienced Technicians: With decades of experience, we provide reliable furnace assessments, repairs, and installations.
  • Transparent Pricing: We offer upfront quotes with no hidden fees, ensuring you make informed decisions about your heating system.
  • Customer-Focused Service: Our commitment to quality and satisfaction ensures a hassle-free experience from consultation to installation.
  • Emergency Support: With 24/7 availability, we’re always ready to assist with your heating needs.

Stay Warm This Winter—Call Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating!

Don’t let a failing furnace leave you in the cold. If your system shows signs of aging or inefficiency, contact Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating. Our professional technicians will guide you through the replacement process, helping you choose the perfect furnace to meet your needs and budget.  Give us a call or fill out our online application form for all of your HVAC needs.

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AC Heating HVAC Tips and Advice

What’s That Sound? A Ghostbuster HVAC Adventure

Do you hear screeching noises in your home? Has consistent banging woken you up at three in the morning for a week straight? Maybe you heard hissing sounds coming from inside a closet. What’s that sound? Is it a witch scratching the walls, or a ghost knocking on your door begging to come in, or a snake ready to trap its next meal?

No one likes to hear strange noises, especially when they are happening inside your home. But maybe there are plausible explanations for these strange sounds. When was the last time your HVAC system was inspected or maintained? This could very well be the source of these horrid sounds. Let’s go on a ghostbuster HVAC adventure and figure out what that sound is!

Squealing or Screeching

Before your desperate mind tries to say it’s a squealing pig inside your home or a trapped witch, those squealing and screeching sounds can be coming from your furnace. They can be a sign of a bad fan belt in the blower. If that’s the case, the belt needs to be replaced. Maybe the motor needs to be lubricated. Call the professionals to handle that slippery situation.

Rattling, Clanking, or Banging Inside the House

During your ghostbuster HVAC adventure, you might be happy to realize that these sounds are related to the furnace’s blower assembly or motor. Either something is loose or broken. If you hear even louder banging sounds when the blower is running, something is definitely broken or disconnected. Although this isn’t good news, it’s better than an unrestful spirit asking to be invited into your home.

Hissing

Before you start to freak out about the hissing sounds, there can very well be two solid explanations. The hissing noises can either be coming from your AC compressor or your furnace. If it’s coming from the AC compressor, this sound can mean that there is an internal refrigerant leak or that there is dangerously high internal pressure. Disconnect the power immediately.

If the hissing sound is coming from the furnace, it is most likely a leaking air duct. This will require professional repairs.

High-Pitched Whistling or Screaming

No one wants to hear whistling or screaming when they are alone at home…before you call the real ghostbusters, check to see if these sounds are coming from your AC compressor. If they are, consider this your warning and turn the electric power off immediately.

There are many reasons your AC compressor might be making these sounds, such as that the refrigerant pressure is dangerously high, that your compressor is failing, or that there is an internal leak.

What’s That Sound? Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating Is On The Way!

If you don’t want to do this ghostbuster HVAC adventure on your own, our team will join you! We’ll help you get to the bottom of those sounds and provide a timely solution. Then, you can rest in a quiet and peaceful home once again. If your HVAC system needs a repair, a replacement, or regular maintenance, Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating is only a call away!

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AC Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades Tips and Advice

How HVAC Systems Affect Pets and the Other Way Around

If you are a pet owner, you have probably already adjusted your routine in order to provide your pet with the care and attention that it needs. But have you considered adjusting your HVAC system, or thought about the ways your pets and the system affect each other? There are many factors to take into consideration, and it’s best to be aware of how HVAC systems affect pets and the other way around.

Loud Noises Are Scary

There’s nothing more that sends a pet running than a loud noise. When your HVAC system isn’t working properly, it can start to make weird, loud noises. If you notice your pet is a bit on edge, this can be a reason how HVAC systems affect pets. 

If you do hear a loud noise coming from your HVAC system, make sure to schedule an inspection. Listen for grinding or whistling noises. It’s best to find the problem early on, to prevent bigger headaches and expenses in the future.

Wet Noses Means Great Humidity Levels

Have you ever noticed that a dog’s nose is always moist? In an ideal world, it is at least.  A wet nose means there is a proper amount of humidity in the air. This can help you keep your home’s humidity levels in check. Too much humidity can encourage the growth of mold and mildew, but too little humidity can make wood floors flex and shrink and dry up your pet’s nose.

Pets Deserve Comfort Too

Although you might have turned off the AC or heating unit when you weren’t home, you now have to take your pet into consideration. You don’t want them to suffer in the heat or cold when they are home alone. Adjust the thermostat so they are comfortable when you leave. They don’t need the same level of heating or cooling as humans do, but they do deserve a comfortable temperature to feel safe.

During the summertime, keep your home between 75 to 78 degrees. During the winter, 69 to 72 degrees is perfect.

Air Quality and Dander

Pets shed a lot, whether they are furry or not. If it isn’t hair they are shedding, they are shedding dander. This affects the quality of the air, as well as encourages allergies for those that have them. Your air filters need to be replaced more constantly when you have a pet, such as one a month or once every two months. These air filters keep fur and dander out of your HVAC system. Groom your pet’s consistently too, to reduce the amount of fur and dander in the air.

Pet hair and dander can clog air filters and reduce the efficiency of your system, making it work harder and increasing your energy bills. Additionally, pets can bring in outdoor debris and contaminants, such as dirt, leaves, and insects, which can accumulate in your system and affect indoor air quality.

To minimize these issues, it’s important to regularly change your air filters and have your HVAC system serviced by a professional. Consider investing in air purifiers and vacuuming your home regularly to reduce pet hair and dander. With proper maintenance and care, you can ensure that your pets and your HVAC system can coexist happily and healthily.

Get in Touch with Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating 

Now that you know how HVAC systems affect pets and the other way around, it’s time to invest in a good maintenance program. Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating can maintain your HVAC system year-round, as well as repair it, replace parts, or completely install a new system. Let us know how we can help and we will get to work. Give us a call today to get an estimate and schedule an appointment!

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AC Heating HVAC

4 Ways to Survive a Broken Furnace in the Winter

There is nothing quite like sitting in your warm house when the temperatures outside begin to drop. You can snuggle up with a good book, drink a hot cup of tea, and enjoy the comforts of home. That is until your furnace breaks and you are forced back into the days before central heating. A broken furnace during the winter can be an extremely uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous situation. In this post, we will introduce some ways to stay warm when your furnace fails you as you await an HVAC technician that can make your cold house a warm home again. 

Reasons Your Furnace Might Break 

Your furnace can break for a number of reasons, but let’s look at some of the most common ways that your heating system can fail. One of the most common reasons that your furnace is not blasting hot air is because of clogged or dirty filters. If air intake is hindered, your furnace can not function properly. Another common reason for furnace failure is pilot light malfunctions. A pilot light serves as the ignition source for the gas in many furnaces, so if your pilot light flame appears yellow as opposed to the standard blue color, you may have an issue. 

Staying Warm With a Broken Furnace 

So, your furnace is broken and it is twenty degrees outside. You called the HVAC technician, but they can’t fit you in their schedule until tomorrow. How are you going to stay warm? Luckily, because of your house’s insulation, it will take a while for the heat to escape your house completely, but here are some ways to stay warm until the technician arrives:

  1. One of the easiest things that you can do to keep heat in your house is to close all of your curtains. If you don’t have curtains, you can hang blankets up over your windows. This will keep the heat trapped inside your house and prevent it from radiating out of your windows. 
  1. If you can, lighting a fire in your fireplace is also a tried and true way to bring some warmth into your house. If you don’t have a fireplace, space heaters are a fantastic alternative. 
  1. A great way to stay warm is to layer up. Coats and jackets work wonders to keep up warm outside, so wearing them inside should be no different. 
  1. You can also make a hot meal to keep you warm. Hot food raises our internal temperatures so throwing some soup on the stove or making a fresh pot of coffee can be an effective way to stay warm when your furnace goes out. 

If your furnace goes out during a particularly cold day/night, it is always best to set an appointment with a HVAC technician as early as possible.

Repair Your Broken Furnace With Ellis AC

Don’t get stuck in the cold without your furnace. The experts at Ellis AC can keep your HVAC systems in check so you don’t have to worry about freezing in the winter or sweating in the summer. Give us a call or fill out our contact form if you have a broken furnace that needs to be fixed and Ellis AC will be there to help!

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AC Heating HVAC Tips and Advice

How to Take Care of Your HVAC System During Halloween Season

So your friends have nominated you as the host for this year’s Halloween party, or maybe you nominated yourself. Whatever the case may be, pressure is on. It’s time to make your home the spookiest house on the block this Halloween season. From corpses reaching out of the ground to goblins in your garden, you have a full house of monsters.

With all of the decorations coming out and the amazing deals you are finding, you might get a little carried away. Have you decorated almost every corner of your home, indoors and outdoors? Well, maybe it’s time to think about the placing of some of those decorations. Don’t jeopardize your HVAC system during this Halloween season. Here are some tips for protecting your HVAC, while still being the scariest house on the block.

Do NOT Decorate Your Unit

Does it feel like your HVAC unit is just wasting space inside and outside your home and you want to spook it up a bit so it fits the theme? Although this might be tempting, we highly discourage you to do that. If any of the decorations get stuck inside the system, they might cause major problems. Your unit’s internal components are jeopardized. So stay away from adding artificial cotton webs, fragments of cloth or paper from ghost decorations, or any other spooky decoration to your HVAC unit.

Do NOT Block Indoor Air Vents

Keep decorations away from the air vents in your home. When you place too many decorations on or around the vents, you obstruct airflow. This will cause problems with your HVAC system’s operation. When air vents are clogged, your HVAC system needs to work harder and it ends up losing its efficiency and effectiveness.

Beware of Flammable Decorations

Halloween season definitely brings out a lot of crazy, smoking decorations, but some of them are actually flammable. Candles are a great way to add a spooky vibe to any Halloween party, but be sure to keep them away from heating units, air vents, or the indoor units of your furnace.

In the same sense, keep plastic decorations away from your HVAC system. It is okay to sacrifice looks instead of sacrificing your home. There is no need to add any Caspers…in fact, were not sure if they will be too friendly after that incident…

Help From the HVAC Experts

Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating is the expert to call for any HVAC help. We have great tips for maximizing the efficiency of your HVAC system during the Halloween Season, and we can take care of any maintenance or repairs. 

Remember to keep doors closed so the indoor air stays in and you do not battle with high electricity bills. We recommend getting your HVAC system checked before your Halloween party to ensure maximum safety and efficiency. That way, you and your guests can enjoy the comfort of your home…even if they are getting stared down by the skeleton in the corner….

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AC Carrier Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades

Beat The Heat With Air Conditioning Hacks

Here are a few tips on how to stay cool and save energy this summer from your favorite authorized Carrier dealer and overall air conditioning service. Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating knows there are better ways to stay cool than to stay inside and crank the air conditioning up. Here are a few energy and air conditioning hacks.

Here are a few ways to reduce the amount of energy you are expending regularly. Strategize your steamy Dallas summer with Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating.

Be Efficient

Air conditioning hack number 1, turn your air up just a few degrees from 2-8 pm. A few degrees can make a big difference in the amount of energy you save. 2-8 pm are the hottest hours of the day and just by turning the thermostat a few degrees higher during these hours can save money on your energy and you can take it easy on your air conditioning unit that you ask so much of all summer long. This summer there is a shortage of a few very important air conditioning parts. Silicone and ball valves are two small but important parts of the machine, and both have had their moments of extremely limited supply. 

The limited supply of specific parts has slowed down the repair time for some air conditioning units. This is why it is important to save energy and strategize this summer. You don’t want to deal with a broken air conditioning unit in a time of low supply and high heat.

Strategize Dinner

Cooking dinner uses a lot of energy, not to mention a hot stove or oven really heats up the house. You can reduce the energy spent on dinner with a few simple air conditioning hacks. 

First, cook after 8 if possible, but even after 7 is still a better time. Most energy companies reduce the amount each kW of energy costs during non-peak hours. So, by waiting to cook until peak hours are over you will be saving energy. Prep as much as possible before cooking to speed up the process and dinner will soon be on the table, and keep a few snacks around for quick snacking to keep the rest of the family from asking if dinner is ready yet.

Next, if you are cooking things in the oven, cook as many things as possible at once and no peeking. Every time you open the oven door, heat rushes out. This heats up your house, the oven temperature drops, and energy is spent trying to heat the oven back up and cool the house back down. Grilling in the backyard is also a great option as that uses little resources and keeps the heat outside.

Finally, opt for fast and simple dinners. A quick summer salad is fast, easy, healthy, and refreshing. You can also choose an easy one-pot meal to cut down on time, energy, and water used to clean up.

Keep Windows And Doors Shut

Keep the cool air in and the hot air out. Even just a few minutes of a door or window letting the warm air in will significantly increase the inside temperature of your home. Your air conditioning unit will kick on and cost you more energy, and will strain your air conditioning unit in these record high temps. Keep your curtains and blinds closed too as this will help keep the light from heating inside.

Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating Is Here To Keep You Cool

If you use these air conditioning hacks, your summer is sure to be a bit cooler. Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating has been servicing Dallas homes since 1975 and is a factory authorized Carrier dealer. Carrier air conditioners are top of the line in the central cooling industry. Not every HVAC service company is an authorized Carrier dealer. To repair or replace your air conditioning, call Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating in Dallas at 972-362-1501. They offer support 24 hours a day 7 days a week and you can receive a free quote. 

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AC Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades

Signs That Your Air Conditioning System Is Giving Out This Summer

Your worst nightmare might be right around the corner. It’s 100 degrees Fahrenheit here in Texas, and your air conditioning system isn’t working efficiently. Maybe it’s leaking or maybe it’s blowing warm air out. Whatever the case may be, Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating has you covered. Our team is readily available to fix your AC, so you don’t have to face this intense heat on your own. It’s important to catch the issues as early as possible, so we are going over two of the most common signs to keep an eye out for.

Your AC Blows Out Warm Air

People turn on their AC to circulate cool air in their homes, not warm air. If you place your hand near the vent and you feel warm air, or if you notice that your place isn’t cooling down, then this is a clear sign that there is something wrong with your air conditioning system. 

Low Refrigerant Levels

Your AC’s refrigerant levels might be low. Due to this, there might be a refrigerant leak in your system! The air conditioner will continue to run and try to cool your home or business to the set temperature on the thermostat, but to no avail. 

Dirty Evaporator Coils

The evaporator coils are a crucial component of your air conditioning system. They need to be kept clean so they can work to keep your unit functioning properly. If the coil is covered in dirt and debris, this will inhibit the system from blowing cool air.

Thermostat Is Set Incorrectly

This might be a little silly, but a reason your system might be blowing warm air could be that your thermostat is set to “heat.” The switch could have accidentally been bumped by you or your children. The next thing to check is that your thermostat’s fan settings aren’t set to “on,” or that you didn’t accidentally turn on the AC’s fan instead of the actual air conditioner. Your system will blow around warm air when your air conditioner isn’t on. 

Air Conditioning System Is Leaking

Did you feel drips on your head after standing under an AC vent? That can be a terrifying experience, especially if this happens during a hot Texas summer! There can be many reasons your air conditioner is leaking, some more serious than others.

If you notice condensation or leaks from your bathroom vent after you shower, this is normal and there’s no need to worry. The warm air from the shower is meeting the cool air from the vent which is forming the condensation. However, if you notice a good amount of water near the vent, then we recommend getting the unit inspected.

Another reason you are noticing leaks can be that the condensate drain line is clogged. Dirt, dust, and other types of debris build up over time. You may also be dealing with a dirty air filter. We recommend switching it out every 3 months to ensure your system works properly.

Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating Is Reliable and Fast

If you notice that your air conditioning system isn’t working properly, get in touch with our team today! We will inspect your system and determine the best course of action.

Categories
AC Heating HVAC Tips and Advice

3 Ways You Can Tell It’s Time to Service Your Air Conditioner

Texas heat is no joke and you need your air conditioner running at maximum capacity more than ever; Especially when we’ve been experiencing record-high temperatures, and it’s just the beginning of the season. No one wants to deal with a broken air conditioner, and certainly not considering the steamy start to this Texas summer. Servicing your air conditioner before making it work hard all summer long is a great way to prevent that problem. 

Here are three things to look out for to know when to call a professional like Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating for your maintenance today.

Your Filter Is Dirty 

No one wants to worry about low air quality in their home. 

If your air conditioning unit is bogged down with dirt and debris in the filter, the amount of airflow is reduced. This also causes more energy to be consumed as the unit works harder to push air through. 

You can check the filter yourself easily. There are a few different places the filter could be depending on the type of air conditioner you have. 

The main filter locations are: 

1. Where the return ducts enter the ac unit

2. Behind the return air grill

3. In the blower compartment

Once you remove the filter from the unit it is easy to tell if it needs to be replaced or cleaned. Hold the filter up the light so you can tell how much light is able to pass through. A clean filter should be semi-translucent, if it is visibly dirty you are in need of a cleaning or a replacement, depending on the type of filter. 

You might need to check your air filter more often than you think, especially if your family includes furry pets. Energy Saver recommends checking filters every 2 months.

A clean air conditioning unit doesn’t have to work as hard to push air through dirty filters and coils. These two parts are essential for the unit to function properly. 

Your Energy Bill Is Unusually High

Is your summer energy bill higher than you expected? The Texas heat may not be the one to bear all the blame, it may be your air conditioner. If you have already checked the filter, it may be time for a professional to take over the routine maintenance. 

Another consequence of dirty filters is that prolonged usage allows the dirt to seep through the filter and muck up the coils, which are key pieces in cooling efficiency. Clean coils will not only save you money by reducing the amount of expended energy, but also by extending the life of the whole air conditioning system. 

Cleaning the coils is more involved than checking the filter and it is a good idea to trust a professional with such a key piece of your air conditioning unit. 

Your Home Is Taking Longer to Cool

If your air conditioner is running a little longer than usual and your home still isn’t cool, this is another sign it’s time for professional maintenance. This can be a symptom of more than dirty filters and coils. 

You can check the coil fins, which are the exterior protective barrier to the coils and they can be easily bent, resulting in reduced airflow. It is also possible your unit may be in need of more refrigerant among other issues.  

When your AC unit is taking too long to cool, it could be a sign that it is about to go out. Don’t wait until it is already malfunctioning to call a professional. Regular maintenance and cleaning can save you from sweltering.  

Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating: Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

Better yet, keep your home cool every summer. Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating has been servicing the DFW area since 1975. These DIY cleaning tips help a lot, but nothing will extend the life of your AC or minimize energy usage like the care of a professional.

Clean air in your home, a lower energy bill, and an air conditioning unit that cools quickly are a few things that will improve your summer. Give our team a call today to request a free estimate!