4 Signs It’s Time To Call An Emergency Heating And AC Repair Service | North Richland Hills, TX
The last thing any homeowner wants is for issues to arise with their heating or air conditioning system. Without a functioning air conditioner, your home can get dangerously hot, and your home will get very cold without a functional heating system. Both issues will make it impossible to remain comfortable in your home. Also, some HVAC problems can put your home and family at significant risk.
Various issues can occur with your heating or air conditioning system, and problems that don’t create a significant and immediate risk can wait until you can get an appointment with an HVAC tech. However, some severe issues require a call to an emergency heating and AC repair service in North Richland Hills, TX. If your HVAC system experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to make the call immediately.
#1 The Heating System Produces Cold Air
Winter days in Texas are relatively mild; however, you’ll still need to turn on the heat to keep your home warm, and you certainly need to turn on the heat when the temperature drops significantly at night. When the heat in your home runs, you should feel a rush of warm air coming from the vents. If the air is cold, it’s best to call an emergency heating and AC repair service in North Richland Hills, TX. Without heat, your family can get dangerously cold, putting them at risk for hypothermia, making this an emergency situation.
You should check the thermostat before making the call to avoid an unnecessary service call. The furnace will receive the wrong signals if the thermostat isn’t set correctly. It should be set to the cooling mode, and the temperature in your home must be cooler than the setting on the thermostat. Also, the fan should be set to auto. If the fan remains on, it will continue running between cycles, and you’ll feel cool air coming from the vents.
If the thermostat is set correctly, check the air filter. Air won’t move through the unit if the filter is covered in dirt and grime, causing it to overheat and produce cool air, and replacing the filter will solve the problem.
If everything checks out on your end, it’s time to call a heating and AC repair service. Several issues can prevent the unit from producing warm air, and you’ll need a licensed HVAC tech to find the cause.
- Pilot light issues: Older furnaces have pilot lights that must remain lit for the furnace to produce warm air. If the pilot is functioning correctly, it can be blown out if there’s a draft or someone walks by and should be checked by a professional. When the pilot light is fixed, it will remain lit, and the unit will produce warm air.
- Problems with the high limit switch: Newer furnaces have a high limit switch, and if it’s faulty, the furnace will think it’s overheating and will shut down to prevent further damage. Fortunately, an emergency heating and AC repair service can send a tech to replace the switch, and the furnace will produce warm air again.
- Clogged condensate line: Your furnace has a condensate line that removes moisture from the unit. The float switch will trip when the condensate line becomes clogged, causing the furnace to shut down. An HVAC professional can remove the clog from the line, allowing the unit to produce heat.
- Burner issues: Dirt and grime can clog the burner, preventing the fuel from getting through. The blower will continue working, and you’ll feel cool air from the vents. An HVAC professional can clean the burner thoroughly, allowing the unit to produce warm air.
An emergency heating and AC repair service can send a tech to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repair to get the heat running again.
#2 The Air Conditioner Produces Warm Air
It’s not uncommon for the temperature in Texas to reach 90 degrees or higher on a typical summer day. The temperature doesn’t drop too much at night, so your air conditioner is essential in keeping your home cool and comfortable. If the unit doesn’t produce cold air, your home can reach 120 degrees on a 90-degree day, putting your family at risk for heat-related illnesses, and making this an emergency.
It’s best to check the thermostat and air filter before calling an emergency heating and AC repair service to avoid an unnecessary service call. The thermostat should be set to the cooling mode, the fan should be set to auto, and it must be warmer in the house than the thermostat setting. You should also check the filter. If it’s covered in dirt and grime, air won’t move through the unit, causing it to overheat and produce warm air.
If everything checks out on your end, it’s time to call an emergency heating and AC repair service. A few issues can prevent the unit from producing cool air, and you’ll need a professional to determine the cause.
- Frozen evaporator coils: Your air conditioner has evaporator coils that extract heat and humidity from the home to begin the cooling process. If the coils freeze, the cooling process won’t start, and the unit will produce cold air. A few issues can cause the coils to freeze, including:
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Low refrigerant or a leak
- Clogged drainpipe
- The outdoor temperature is too low to run the AC.
- An emergency heating and AC repair service in North Richland Hills, TX, can send a tech to thaw the coils and determine why they froze, so it doesn’t happen again.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to produce cold air, and a refrigerant leak will prevent the unit from making cold air. Refrigerant leaks occur when the rubber seals on the service valve wear out, or due to a pinhole leak caused by acid erosion. If your AC was installed after 2010, an emergency heating and AC repair service can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant. If the unit was installed before 2010, the tech won’t waste their time fixing the leak because they won’t have refrigerant to fill the unit. Older units use R-22 refrigerant, which has been banned in the US because it’s toxic and causes damage to the ozone layer. You’ll need to replace the unit with a newer model that doesn’t rely on R-22.
- Faulty compressor: The indoor unit and the outdoor compressor work together to produce cold air. If the compressor isn’t working or there’s no power going to the unit, the AC won’t function properly. Fortunately, an emergency heating and AC repair service can send an HVAC tech to inspect the compressor to determine why it’s not working, so the necessary repair can be made.
It’s best to call an emergency heating and AC repair service immediately to ensure your family is safe and comfortable.
#3 Strange Smells In Your Home
When your heat or air conditioner runs, you shouldn’t smell anything strange in your home. If you do, it’s best to call an emergency heating and AC repair service in North Richland Hills, TX. Foul odors indicate issues that could put your home and family at risk; therefore, it’s best to call a professional if you smell any of the following smells when the HVAC system runs.
- Mold or mildew: A moldy or mildew smell indicates mold in the air ducts. When the heat or air conditioner runs, mold spores will circulate in the air, putting your family’s health at considerable risk. Mold exposure causes various health problems, including:
- Allergies
- Respiratory problems
- Chronic headaches
- Skin rashes
- Burning eyes, nose, and throat
- A weakened immune system
- If a family member has a chronic lung or respiratory condition, mold exposure will worsen their condition.
An emergency heating and AC repair service can send a tech to inspect the ducts for mold, and it can be eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger. - Rotten eggs: A rotten egg smell indicates a gas leak which can cause an explosion. As soon as you detect the smell, get everyone out of the house and call 911. The fire department will turn off the gas to prevent a disaster from occurring, and the service cannot be restored until the leak is repaired by an emergency heating and AC repair service in North Richland Hills, TX. The tech will work quickly to fix the leak so the gas service can be restored and you can turn on the heat.
- Burning: A burning smell when the heat or air conditioner runs indicates a wiring issue that could start an electrical fire that could destroy your home in minutes. It’s best to turn off the HVAC system immediately and call an HVAC professional.
The tech can find the faulty wire and fix it before a disaster occurs.
Foul odors indicate issues that can put your family and home at considerable risk, and it’s best to call an emergency heating and AC repair service in North Richland Hills, TX immediately.
#4 Restricted Airflow
When the heater or air conditioner runs, you should feel a powerful rush of cold or warm air from the vents. If you feel minimal airflow, it’s best to call an emergency heating and AC repair service in North Richland Hills, TX. Restricted airflow can affect the temperature in your home, and your HVAC system will have to work harder to reach the desired temperature. The extra work will cause your energy bills to increase and can reduce the unit’s lifespan. Also, some issues can affect your home’s air quality.
A few issues can affect the airflow, and you’ll need a licensed HVAC tech to find the cause.
- Clogged air ducts: Over time, dirt, dust, and debris can clog the air ducts. In just one year, up to five pounds of debris can accumulate, preventing adequate airflow. When the heat or air conditioner runs, the debris will circulate in the air and can affect your family’s health. An emergency heating and AC repair service can send a tech to clean the ducts, restoring the airflow, and will improve your home’s air quality.
- Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your house are hidden, so you won’t be able to see any visible damage to the ducts. The only sign of damage is restricted airflow. If there’s a crack or break in the ducts or the sealant has failed, the warm or cold air will escape before reaching the vents, resulting in restricted airflow.
An emergency heating and AC repair service can send a tech to inspect the air ducts for damage, and if there’s damage, it can be fixed to restore adequate airflow. - Faulty blower: The blower helps push the warm or cool air from the HVAC system, through the air ducts, and to the vents in your house. If the blower isn’t working, the air won’t reach the vents, resulting in inadequate airflow.
An emergency heating and AC repair service can send a tech to inspect the blower and repair or replace it, restoring adequate airflow.
Call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth Today
If there’s a problem with your HVAC system that could put your home and family at risk and you need help from an emergency heating and AC repair service, look no further than One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We’re a full-service HVAC company serving customers in the area since 1988 and have an excellent reputation in the community.
Our techs are professionally trained, certified, and have the knowledge and experience to handle all HVAC jobs. HVAC technology is constantly evolving, so our techs receive ongoing education to ensure they can work on the latest HVAC models. When we send a tech to your home, they will explain exactly what is wrong and how they’ll fix the issue, so you know what’s going on from start to finish.
To schedule an appointment for heating or air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair, give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth a call today.