5 Problems That Require A Call To An AC Repair Company | Fort Worth, TX
Most Fort Worth, TX homes have air conditioning because summer temperatures range from 94 to 98 degrees, which is dangerously hot. Spending too much time outdoors when it’s this hot puts you at significant risk for heat exhaustion and heatstroke; therefore, you spend more time in your air-conditioned home when it’s this hot outside.
If your air conditioner is functioning correctly, it can affect your home’s temperature, and you won’t have an escape from the heat.
There are plenty of websites and DIY videos online today dedicated to air conditioning repair; however, DIY repair isn’t recommended. Your air conditioning system is very complex, and some issues could be due to multiple problems. If you don’t diagnose the problem correctly, you will waste your time trying to fix something that isn’t malfunctioning. In addition, if you make a mistake, you could do more damage.
If the air conditioner in your home experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to leave the repair to an AC repair company. The HVAC tech they send will be qualified to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repair.
#1 Poor Airflow
When your air conditioner runs, you should feel a powerful rush of cold air coming from the vents in your Fort Worth, TX home. Adequate airflow is essential in keeping your home cool and comfortable, and if it is suddenly restricted, it will be challenging for the unit to keep your home cool and comfortable. The unit will have to work harder to keep your home cool, drawing more electricity, causing your energy bills to increase considerably. When the system works overtime for an extended period of time, the extra work will put unnecessary strain on the unit, reducing its maximum lifespan. The average cost to replace the air conditioner is between $5,000 and $10,000, which is a significant investment; therefore, you should call an AC repair company to repair the unit before it has a substantial impact on the unit’s lifespan.
A few issues can cause poor airflow, and an AC repair company can send a tech to find the cause to make the necessary repair.
- Faulty blower: Your air conditioner has a blower designed to force the air from the unit to the vents located throughout your home. If the blower isn’t working correctly, the air won’t get the force it needs to reach the vents, resulting in poor airflow.
An AC company can send a tech to your home to inspect the blower to determine if the blower can be repaired. If the blower’s motor has failed, it will need to be replaced.
- Clogged air ducts: Over time, dirt, dust, and debris accumulate in the air ducts in your Fort Worth, TX home. In one year, up to five pounds of debris can clog the air ducts. If you neglect to have the air ducts cleaned every three to five years, the debris can prevent adequate airflow. In addition, clogged air ducts can affect your home’s air quality. When the air conditioner runs, the debris in the air ducts will circulate in the air, causing your family to develop allergy symptoms.
An AC repair company can send a tech to clean the air ducts, restoring adequate airflow while keeping your family healthy.
- Damaged air ducts: The air ducts are designed to deliver cool air from the unit to the vents located throughout your home. Because the air ducts are hidden, you won’t see visible damage. The cold air will escape from the damaged area, reducing the airflow from the vents. In addition, you will waste a significant amount of electricity when the cold air escapes.
An AC repair company can send a tech to your home to inspect the air ducts for damage. The tech can repair the air ducts and ensure they are sealed to prevent the cold air from escaping.
Reduced airflow can cause financial chaos; therefore, it’s best to call an AC repair professional as soon as the problem starts.
#2 The Air Conditioner Produces Warm Air
A properly functioning air conditioner should produce cold air and remove the humidity from the air. If you feel warm air coming from the vents when the AC in your home runs, you may need to call an AC repair company.
The last thing you want is to schedule an unnecessary service call; therefore, you should check a few things before making the call.
HVAC manufacturers recommend replacing the AC’s air filter every 90 days. If you have pets or a member of your family has allergies or asthma, it’s best to replace the filter every 45 days. If it’s been a while since you replaced the filter, it can become dirty and clogged, preventing proper airflow in the unit. Without adequate airflow, the air conditioner will overheat, and the unit will produce warm air, and replacing the air filter should solve the problem.
Next, check the thermostat. If it isn’t set correctly, the unit won’t produce cold air. The unit has to be set to the cooling mode for the system to produce cold air. Next, check the fan setting. If you leave the fan on, it will keep running when the unit cycles, and you will feel warm air coming from the vents. Finally, check the temperature setting. It has to be warmer in the house than the set temperature for the unit to kick on and produce cold air.
If the air filter is clean and the thermostat is set correctly, it’s time to call an AC repair professional. A few issues can prevent the air conditioner from producing cold air, and you will need an HVAC tech to inspect the unit to find the cause.
- Faulty compressor: The indoor unit and the outdoor compressor work together to keep your home cool and comfortable. If there is no power going to the compressor or it isn’t working the way it should, the system can’t produce cold air.
An AC repair company can send a tech to inspect the compressor to make the necessary repair. If the compressor can’t be fixed, you will need to replace it.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils play an essential part in keeping your home cool. To begin the cooling process, they extract the heat and humidity from the air in your Fort Worth, TX home. If the evaporator coils freeze, they can’t do their job, and you should call an AC repair company.
A few issues can cause the coils to freeze, including closed-off registers, a faulty air handler, or a faulty drip pan. Finally, the evaporator coils can freeze if you run the air conditioner when it’s cool outside.
A company can send a tech to thaw the evaporator coils. They will also inspect the system to determine why the coils froze to prevent them from freezing again.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to complete the cooling process. If the refrigerant leaks, the supply will be depleted, preventing the system from producing cold air.
An HVAC tech can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant, and the unit will produce cold air.
When your air conditioner fails to produce cold air, it will be almost as hot indoors as outside, reaching dangerously high temperatures. The sooner you call an AC repair company, the sooner your home will be cool and comfortable again.
#3 A Foul Odor When the Unit Runs
If there is a foul odor in your Fort Worth, TX home when the air conditioner runs, you should call an AC repair company that provides emergency service. Bad odors are an emergent issue because the cause can put your family and home at significant risk, and the odor can point the HVAC in the right direction.
- Burning: A burning smell in your home indicates an electrical problem, and the odor is from the burning wire insulation. You should turn off the air conditioner as soon as you notice the burning smell, and don’t turn it back on until an AC repair company makes the necessary repair. Continuing to use the AC can start an electrical fire, putting your home and family at significant risk.
- Mold: A moldy smell indicates the presence of mold in the air ducts or the air conditioner. The air ducts in your Fort Worth, TX home are dark, and when it gets humid in your house, condensation can accumulate in the air ducts, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. When the air conditioner runs, mold spores in the air ducts will circulate in the air, putting your family’s health at risk. Mold exposure can cause several health issues, including allergy symptoms, respiratory problems, chronic headaches, skin rashes, and a burning feeling in your eyes, nose, and throat. In addition, mold exposure can weaken your immune system, and it will be harder for your body to fight off disease and infection.
An AC repair company can send a tech to your home to inspect the air ducts for mold. If they find any, it can be eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger, and the fogger will prevent future mold growth. If the air ducts are clean, the mold could be in the air conditioner. This is a common issue if you neglect to maintain your air conditioner every year. It is more challenging to eradicate mold from the air conditioner, and the tech will use special equipment and a professional cleanser designed to eliminate mold.
Strange odors can put your home and family at considerable risk; therefore, you should call an AC repair company right away.
#4 Moisture or Leaks Around the Unit
When moisture forms on the walls, floor, or air conditioner, you should call an AC repair company. The moisture is likely due to a clogged, broken, or disconnected condensate hose. Although this is a relatively simple fix, the moisture can cause water damage and mold growth, and you should have the problem resolved as soon as possible.
If there is fluid pooling around the unit, there is likely a refrigerant leak, which is more serious than a problem with the condensate hose.
The air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home needs refrigerant to produce cold air. If the refrigerant is leaking, there won’t be enough for the unit to function correctly. An AC repair company can send a tech to inspect the unit to determine if there is a refrigerant leak. If your air conditioner is less than ten years old, the tech can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant. If your AC is over ten years old, the solution to the problem isn’t as straightforward. Older units use R-22 refrigerant, which the EPA deemed toxic and harmful to the ozone layer. In January 2010, air conditioner manufacturers were banned from making systems that rely on R-22. On January 1, 2020, the U.S. government banned the production of R-22. The AC repair company can fix the leak; however, they won’t have R-22 refrigerant to refill the system, and you will need to replace the air conditioner.
#5 Strange Sounds Coming From the Unit
It’s normal for your air conditioner to make a faint clicking sound when it cycles, and any other sounds require a call to an AC repair company.
Banging, clanging, and rattling sounds indicate loose or broken parts in the unit and can cause further damage if you wait to have it fixed. These sounds also indicate issues with the outdoor fan. Frequent clicking sounds indicate an issue causing the unit to cycle too frequently. If you hear a high-pitched screaming sound, turn off the air conditioner immediately and call an AC repair company. The sound indicates high pressure that can cause permanent damage to the compressor causing it to fail.
Strange sounds are a significant cause for concern because the problem causing the sound can damage the air conditioner or prevent it from functioning at all; therefore, it’s best to call an AC repair company right away.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth?
If your air conditioner isn’t working the way it should and you want to work with the best AC repair company around, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We are a full-service HVAC company, proudly serving customers in the area since 1988.
Our techs are professionally trained, skilled, and highly qualified to handle all HVAC services. In addition, they are required to take classes regularly to ensure they can work with the latest HVAC technology.
If you have an issue that can’t wait, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
To schedule an appointment for AC repair or any other HVAC service, give us a call today.