JD's Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

A Guide To Preventing Drain Clogs

June 13th, 2022

It’s our hope that you can make it through your homeownership without ever experiencing a huge plumbing mishap. But it’s unrealistic to believe that you will never face a plumbing issue. Whether it’s the holiday season or the middle of summer, there are going to be times that you are harder on your plumbing system than others, and as a result, you may experience a plumbing problem or two–with drain clogs being at the top of the list for common plumbing repair calls we receive.

We’re going to start by saying that if you do have a drain clog, the last thing you want to do is reach for that bottle of chemical drain cleaner you got at the store. These “solutions” are actually quite caustic, with chemicals that cause corrosion and leaks over time. Additionally, these chemical liquid drain cleaners don’t flush all the way out of your plumbing system, so they can create future clogs themselves.

When you do have a drain clog, you’ll want to contact a professional plumber to effectively relieve it and possibly even prevent it from occurring again. Plus, there are things you can do to prevent drain clogs on your own, too. Read on to learn more!

What You Need to Know about the Size of Your Next AC

May 16th, 2022

two-technicians-standing-by-central-air-conditioner-working-on-it

First, we need to clear something up. When we talk about “sizing” an air conditioner, what we mean is finding out how powerful an air conditioner is necessary for your home to provide the specific amount of cooling for your space.

If you’re in the market for a new central cooling system for your living space, then the system has to be properly sized so that it provides the home with the comfort level your household needs during our hottest summer months.

But sizing is about so much more than the actual physical area of the air conditioner–it’s about how much power it outputs. And too powerful of a system can be just as detrimental to AC efficiency as a system that isn’t powerful enough. Read on to learn more!

You Might Have a Plumbing Leak If…

May 2nd, 2022

Do you know how to tell if you have a plumbing leak?

You might be thinking, “sure I do! I just look at my faucets and showerheads, or underneath my kitchen and bathroom sinks, and if I see water, it means there is a leak!”

On your behalf, we wish it were always as easy as this. The fact of the matter is, since most of your plumbing system is actually hidden from view, leaks can be hidden from view too, for a long time–long enough to do some serious property damage.

The good news that there are signs you can watch out for that you’re actually experiencing a plumbing leak, and then can call us to have it repaired promptly. Read on to learn what these signs are!

Heed These 5 Signs You Might Need AC Repair

April 18th, 2022

When our average summer temperatures hover in the 90s, your AC might be your best friend. So when something seems off about it, you don’t want to ignore it and hope for the best. But how do you know for sure when you need to call for repair?

Some common signs indicate something is wrong with your AC — knowing what to look and listen for can give you a head’s-up that something’s wrong. Calling in an expert when you first notice a problem might just save it from turning into a more serious and costlier problem.

Decreased Airflow

If your AC is turning out nice, cool air, but the air doesn’t seem to be flowing as powerfully, there could be one of several causes. Check your filter first – dust and debris can clog a filter. If it hasn’t been changed in the past few months or is visibly dirty, it could slow your airflow.

If changing your filter doesn’t work, you may have a problem that’s not as easy to fix yourself. Decreased airflow can also be caused by blower problems, blocked or leaking air ducts, or frozen evaporator coils.

No Cooling Power

Check your thermostat first if the air is flowing but you’re not cooling down. Sometimes the simplest solution is also the right solution. If that’s good, take a look at the filter. A clogged filter can cause several problems. If your filter is clean, the problem may need an expert. The problem could be a clogged or frozen condenser coil, leaky ducts, or a refrigerant leak.

Cycling On and Off

When your AC keeps turning on and off rapidly throughout the day, it’s called short-cycling. It’s inefficient and causes unnecessary wear and tear on your system. Short-cycling could mean the system may have low refrigerant, a dirty compressor unit, miscalibrated thermostats, or other mechanical problems. It could also mean your AC unit is the wrong size for your home. An expert HVAC technician can diagnose the exact cause of your problem.

Unexpected Noises

The only sound you want to hear from your AC is the soothing whoosh of cool air moving through your air ducts. If you hear a grinding, hissing, rattling, or other unpleasant and unusual sounds, your unit could have a refrigerant leak, a loose component, or other mechanical problem. Your AC needs attention from an expert who can locate and fix the problem.

Higher Energy Bills

If your energy bills increase dramatically and unexpectedly, your unit is not running as efficiently as it should. There are many possible causes of a loss of efficiency, like failing parts, poor maintenance, or an old system that’s simply no longer doing its job. If your unit isn’t old, but your bills are higher than expected, give us a call.

JD’S Keeps You Cooler

When you know something’s wrong with your AC, but you aren’t sure what, an expert HVAC technician should be your first call.

For professional air conditioning service in Lubbock, TX, contact JD’s Prompt Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

Should I Repair My Broken AC Compressor or Replace It?

April 4th, 2022

Nobody wants to find that their home cooling system isn’t working, especially in the Texas heat. Our air conditioning systems work hard down here, and it’s not very comfortable without them. So, when you notice that your system isn’t cooling as well as it used to or you hear a hissing or humming noise that shouldn’t be there, you hope it’s a quick and inexpensive fix.

A faulty thermostat or a coolant leak might be relatively quick and affordable repairs, but a broken AC compressor can be a costly problem. In fact, it’s the most expensive part of your AC system.

How to Set Your Air Conditioner Up for Success

March 21st, 2022

Spring is here! Soon enough, temperatures will be at a point where we’re using our air conditioners on a consistent basis. Is yours ready to work as powerfully and efficiently as possible this year?

If you haven’t scheduled professional maintenance in at least a year, then then you can’t really confidently answer this question. Professional maintenance is the best way to set your air conditioning system up for success!

During this service, our technicians thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. All of this serves to reduce repair needs, lengthen the service life of your system, and boost efficiency. Read on to learn more!

The Role of an Anode Rod in Your Water Heater

March 7th, 2022

If we were to ask you what the most important appliance in your home was, what would your answer be? Many homeowners would respond with “water heater.” After all, this is the true workhorse of any home, being used all year long to provide households with the hot water that they need to shower, do the laundry, wash dishes, and so much more. If you’re using a tank water heater, then you depend very much on a particular component that you may have never heard of until now–the anode rod.

While “anode rod” isn’t exactly a household name, it really is important in any home that has a tank water heater. This component provides an essential function in order to protect the tank water heater from harm. It doesn’t last forever though, so it’s important that you know for sure the condition that yours is in.

How to Boost Furnace Efficiency

February 21st, 2022

Most winters, we don’t use our furnaces for a very long time around here, right? But when we do need them, boy do we need them!

This means they need to work as efficiently and effectively as possible. Also, given how much you use your air conditioner each year and how much that costs, it makes sense that you would like to save as much money as possible on your energy bills during the cooler months.

And maybe you think that the only way to make your furnace use more efficient is to not use it at all. But this is simply not the case, plus it doesn’t do much for your home comfort, right?!

Read on as we uncover some simple ways you can boost furnace efficiency without shutting it off altogether.

Have You Scheduled This Important Heating Service Yet?

February 7th, 2022

Do you know when the best time of year is to schedule furnace maintenance? Many HVAC technicians, including the ones on our staff, will tell you that it’s fall. So, since it’s now winter, does it matter that you haven’t had maintenance done yet–is it too late?

Nope, it’s not too late! Actually, what’s much more important than the timing of your heating maintenance is the consistency of this service. We recommend fall because this is when HVAC pros are less busy with emergency service calls and therefore you’ll find it more convenient to schedule maintenance during this time. But it’s actually most important that you have maintenance done once a year.

On that note, if you have a heat pump system instead of a furnace, you’ll want maintenance done twice a year. But for now, we’re going to talk about why furnace tune-ups are so vital to your comfort, home performance, and efficiency.

Heed These Signs That You Need Furnace Repair

January 24th, 2022

The last thing you want to do this winter is sit around wondering if your heater is going to break down at any moment. The good news is, unless you have never had your system professionally tuned up and don’t know any of the signs that your furnace is in disrepair, this likely won’t ever happen.

Oh, what’s that? You don’t know what signs to look out for? That’s okay, that’s what we’re here for!

We want to start by saying that T-word again–tune-up. Also called maintenance, this service is the best way to defend your system against heavy repair needs. Whether you’re utilizing an electric furnace or a gas-powered one, you should have professional maintenance done annually. This helps the furnace function as effectively and efficiently as possible for as long as possible. Plus, maintenance can help you avoid up to 85% of the repairs that a furnace might ever need!

Of course, there’s still that 15%–at some point your furnace will need repair, and so without further ado, here are some signs that it’s time for you to call us for just that: