10 Unique Signs That It May Be Time For Heating And AC Repair | Azle, TX
Owning a home is a lot of work, something many homeowners find out the minute they take the deed and start making a home their own. Unlike renting, when something goes wrong, you can’t rely on someone else to handle the issue. It is solely your responsibility. At first, this may not impact you too dramatically, but when your AC or furnace shuts down, you will be in for a big surprise at your home. Ideally, heating and AC repair is something that you should take care of before you find yourself stranded without an HVAC system.
In most situations, an HVAC system does not shut down without signs that it is in trouble, but you have to learn how to read these signs to make sure you get timely heating and AC repair. It can be hard to identify which problems to troubleshoot first if you are a new homeowner, given how many systems and appliances are within your home. It is easy to start to feel overwhelmed or even underwhelmed if you simply don’t know what to pay attention to. After all, it’s a lot more fun to think about new curtains than heating and AC repair.
Despite this fact, you have to learn to pay attention so that you don’t find yourself without AC on a hot summer day in Azle. To that end, we have created a cheat sheet that lists some of the most common instances where you will need heating and AC repair. Sometimes it is rather apparent that your AC needs a tuneup, but other times it is not quite as easy to ascertain that something is happening with your HVAC system. In the case of the latter scenario, it is important to stay on top of the issue. While your house may look better with curtains, you can survive without them, but you cannot survive without AC once the summer hits.
On the side, you might also want to consider booking an HVAC service if you are new to your home and not sure about the overall condition of your HVAC system. A service is a great way to learn about any potential heating and AC repair tasks that may need to be taken care of. It is also a great way to learn about the overall condition of your HVAC system.
During the service, the HVAC technician will lubricate all moving parts to ensure that everything is moving without friction, inspect your system for any failing components or signs of wear and tear, and remove all dirt and debris from the inside of it. These three small tasks are what can help prevent any future heating and AC repair from impacting the overall performance of your HVAC system. In addition, the technician will give you a detailed report that lets you know the condition of your HVAC system when they conclude.
As a new homeowner, this intimate guide to the condition of your HVAC system can be handy. Not only can it help you prepare and budget for future heating and AC repair so that you are not blindsided, but it will also give you a good idea of how much longer you can expect the HVAC unit to last. While it is just an educated guess, having a ballpark idea of how long you have before you need to replace your unit can help you budget for household expenses properly. As you read through this list, keep in mind that service is always a great option for getting your HVAC system back into top shape.
The Age of Your AC System
One of the biggest factors that are always going to affect the type of heating and AC repair you require is the age of your HVAC system. An AC system that is over ten years old is likely to require much more repair attention than a newer system. Keep in mind that an annual service can benefit both old and new HVAC systems, so it is to your benefit to book your service regardless of the age of your AC.
Age also plays a role in whether or not you opt for heating and AC repair or choose to replace your unit. Generally, if the repair is extensive and your system is on the older side, it is better to invest that money into a new system versus a failing system. Talking to your HVAC technician is a much better way to get some perspective on this matter.
Your HVAC System Requires Frequent Repairs
To that end, if this is not the first time that you have had to call an HVAC technician out to your home for heating and AC repair, you may want to start thinking more seriously about replacement. After a while you are simply tossing money at an appliance that is on its way out, and unless the repair is small it may not be something worth fixing at this point. We know that no one wants to deal with replacing an AC unit, but in Texas you need a strong unit that can power through the summer.
Repairs Are Going to Cost Too Much
Another factor to weigh heavily when considering whether or not you should book heating and AC repair or replacement is how much the repairs are going to cost. The amount you should be willing to spend is heavily dependent on the age of your machine. An HVAC unit that is relatively new will be worth putting some money into since it is reasonable for it to expect for the next decade or so.
However, if your unit is over ten years old and you are looking at a major heating and AC repair in order to get it back into working order, it may be smarter to spend that money on a newer unit. In this scenario, you probably won’t get your investment back in full since your system will die before that happens. It would be better to put that money into a new unit that will last for much longer.
As a general rule of thumb, most HVAC technicians will say if the unit is over ten years old, you should not pay more than half of its price for any heating and AC repair. As it gets older, that amount should drop as well. Think of any repair as an investment into your HVAC system, and it gets easier to discern when it is time to move on to the next system.
Strange Smells Coming Out of Your HVAC Unit
Another sign that something is going on with your HVAC unit that demands immediate heating and AC repair is if you notice odd smells are starting to come out of your HVAC unit. These smells might be smoky, gassy, or similar to electric burning odors. Every single one of these odd odors is an emergency situation that needs to be investigated immediately. They can lead to dangerous situations and are not something you should ignore.
Another smell that should also cause some concern is a musty or moldy smell. It is possible for mold and mildew to grow inside your AC unit or within the ductwork of your home if some moisture drips down a vent. If you can smell mold, there is a good chance that it is present in your system. For this reason, you should call for heating and AC repair to address the situation immediately.
Your Home Is Not Cooling Evenly
One subtle sign that it may be time for heating and AC repair in your home is if you notice that your home is evenly cooling. This is generally described as a house that has hot and cold spots. If you notice, for instance, that your home is excellent on the first floor, but is extremely hot on the second floor, then your AC might not be pushing enough air through your system. This is something that you should have a professional explore, as there are alternatives you can make to your system to account for these differences.
Odd Noises Coming from Your HVAC Unit
It is important to know that any noises coming from your HVAC unit are signs of trouble and an immediate alert that you shouldn’t ignore. You don’t want to put off heating and AC repair if you hear banging, knocking, whistling, or any other odd noises because they indicate that something is going wrong inside of your machine. It may be a simple case of a component sliding out of place, or it could be a broken piece that is now loosely rattling inside of your unit. In either case, if you don’t take quick action and call a heating and AC repair company there is a good chance your system will break down.
The only sound that you should hear in your HVAC unit is the gentle hum of air flowing through vents. There is no other acceptable sound. The sounds also will not go away on their own, so as tempting as it seems to take a wait-and-see approach, this will backfire for you.
High Humidity Levels Inside Your Home
Another sign that something is not working properly within your home is if you notice that the humidity levels within your home seem to be rising. You don’t need a special measuring device to figure this out, you can probably feel it. When the humidity levels are high you won’t feel cool, even if the thermostat says that the air is cool. This is because the humidity levels in the air will make you feel sticky and uncomfortable. When your AC is working correctly, you shouldn’t have to worry about this, but if levels get too high, you will need a technician to troubleshoot the problem.
You Cannot Keep Your Home Dusted
Does it seem like you dust your home twice a week and the dust just reproduces and gets worse each time? If you cannot keep your home dust-free and you don’t have children or anyone bringing in an inordinate amount of dust then chances are the problem is stemming from an AC unit that is not properly filtering the air. Talk to an HVAC company about this problem to learn what you can do about it.
Your HVAC Unit Uses R-22
If you purchased an older home then there is a possibility that the HVAC unit in the home is old as well. If this is the case, then the home may use R-22 as its main refrigerant which is not easy to find these days. If the heating and AC repair is about refrigerant, then you might have to consider upgrading your system to get around this problem.
Energy Bills Continue to Skyrocket
Finally, the last sign that you may need HVAC repair is if you notice that your energy bills continue to skyrocket even though you aren’t using your HVAC system any more than usual. If your HVAC system has to work harder to produce the same amount of air, it will burn more energy. This can often be reflected in your energy bills which is why a rapidly rising bill can be your first sign of trouble. If there is no other explanation for the rise in energy bills, it’s time to seek out help.
If you have noticed any of the above problems, it is time to call a heating and air conditioning company that can help. Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth today to schedule your repair visit.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.