Houston AC Replacement Service

That does depend somewhat on how much you use it. Because Houston has a humid, subtropical climate, most people run their air conditioner all summer long and most of spring and fall as well. That means it incurs more wear and tear damage than it would in a colder climate, and the frequent but necessary use can reduce its average lifespan somewhat. In most cases, you can expect to get a solid 10 years out of it before your household needs to think about AC replacement in Houston.

If you want to not only extend your unit's life expectancy so you can avoid replacement for longer but also keep it running at maximum energy efficiency throughout its years of service, our recommendation is to schedule regular maintenance appointments with the HVAC professionals at Aire Serv.

Routine repair and annual maintenance services from a local HVAC expert will offer you the peace of mind that comes with a superior level of safety, security, and protection, but there are a few things that you can take care of yourself throughout the year to prevent the need for premature AC replacement in Houston. If you take care of a few simple maintenance chores, you will be able to avoid most air conditioning system malfunctions and the type of damage that reduces energy efficiency.

Turn off the power to your air conditioning unit before beginning maintenance to avoid injury and damage to your system, and include these steps on your home maintenance checklist:

• Keep Outdoor Unit Free of Debris: Clear any branches, dead leaves and pine needles or other dust and debris off your outdoor compressor unit. It's helpful to keep all your trees and bushes trimmed back so they're at least one foot away from the outdoor unit so you don't have moisture-laden branches brushing against it and dropping leaves or dirt right onto it. While you're taking care of the outside of the unit, you can do a little extra by removing the fan cover and using a wet/dry shop vacuum to get rid of any debris that has accumulated inside.
• Clean and Straighten Compressor Fins: Compressors have rows of thin aluminum fins that are vulnerable to getting dirty and bent. Remove the outer cover so you can get at all the dirt that has accumulated and vacuum them off with a wet/dry shop vacuum, taking care not to bump the fins with the vacuum head. Then, use a garden hose to spray a gentle stream of water through the fins from inside to clean out stubborn grime that wasn't removed by the vacuum. Be careful and make sure to use a low-pressure water stream, as fins are easily bent and damaged. If there are any bent or crushed fins, use a fin brush or even just a butter knife to gently push them back into place.
• Change AC Filter: Ideally, your air conditioner filter needs to be changed at least twice annually—before and after summer. However, some units use thinner filters that should be changed every one or every three months, so it's a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's manual for your specific model. When there has been a notably high level of particulate pollution, such as smoke, in Houston during the past few months, you may want to change your filter more frequently. You can typically find your filter enclosure near your main unit, where ducts for fresh air are connected.
• Make Sure Air Vents Are Open: This may seem like an obvious tip, but many people with a forced-air central AC system don't realize how important it is to ensure that air vents are always open. Closing them in some rooms, whether it's on purpose or accidentally, will cause your air conditioning system to work overtime, trying to get the entire house to the temperature on your thermostat. That actually leads to incorrect temperatures throughout the house and can cause additional wear and tear damage to the unit.

When discovering that an HVAC system needs AC replacement, Houston homeowners often ask if we can complete an AC repair instead. That's a reasonable question. There's no sense in tossing out a perfectly good unit that only needs a few basic repair services. If your unit is only a few years old and experiencing a common issue, it's likely that we can get it fixed up and running smoothly again.

But there are some situations where Houston AC replacement is the more cost-effective option that will provide the results you're looking for. Here are some signs that indicate it's time to consider a replacement installation:

• Your unit is more than 10 years old and showing signs of trouble
• Needs frequent repairs or adjustments
• Energy costs are increasing as the unit deteriorates and loses efficiency
• The compressor or evaporator coils are damaged
• It always feels too hot and humid indoors, no matter what you set on your thermostat

If you notice that your downstairs level is crisp and cool, but your upstairs is warm and humid, you may assume that you need to consider a bigger unit for AC replacement in Houston. That's not necessarily the case, though. As you know, cool air settles and heat rises. Your thermostat is likely downstairs where the cool air from your AC is, so it doesn't register the fact that the upstairs isn't reaching the temperatures you have set on your thermostat. Because it detects that the temperature is at the right level downstairs, it tells your unit to switch off before it can adequately cool the upper story. A bigger AC replacement unit won't change anything because it will still shut off when the thermostat tells it to. The better solution is to have your local HVAC professional install a supplemental cooling system like a ductless heat pump upstairs, which will extend the cooling power to the upper story much more effectively than a larger unit.

If you've found out the reason you need Houston AC replacement is because of a faulty or damaged coil, it makes sense to wonder if the damaged part can simply be swapped out to save you the time, hassle and expense of a new installation, but replacing a coil is not as simple as one might think. They are particularly costly parts and may even end up costing more than a new unit. The other problem is that matching a new coil to an old unit is surprisingly difficult, and if they are mismatched, the unit won't function efficiently. That's why AC replacement in Houston is generally the recommendation for a unit with a faulty coil.

When you’re ready to replace the AC unit in your home or business, Aire Serv of Central & West Houston is here to provide cost-effective solutions. Our experts are happy to answer all your questions about our replacement/installation process, energy-efficient models, and more. Additionally, we’ll provide you with a free quote for your replacement cost.

With years of experience serving home and business owners throughout the River Oaks neighborhood in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Bellaire, Rice Village, Lazy Brook/Timber Grove, Houston Heights, and Memorial Village, we’re fully equipped to help you when you need fast, reliable AC replacement services.

Contact us today to learn more about our AC replacement service or schedule an appointment. We look forward to providing you with top-quality services!