5 Signs That It’s Time To Call A Professional In Heating And AC Repair | Azle, TX

5 Signs That It’s Time To Call A Professional In Heating And AC Repair | Azle, TX

Photo By AndreyPopov at istock

The HVAC system in your Azle, TX home is essential to your family’s comfort. During the summer, you rely on your air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable. If the air conditioner fails to function correctly, your home will be hot and humid until the repair is made. During the winter, you rely on your heating system to keep your house warm. If the heater malfunctions, your home will be cold, and you will need blankets and layers of clothing to stay warm.

Because your HVAC system is essential to your family’s comfort, you should be able to detect problems early, before the issue escalates, resulting in a more expensive repair bill.

If your heater or air conditioner experiences any of the following issues, it is best to call a heating and AC repair professional.

#1 Reduced Airflow

When the HVAC system in your Azle, TX home runs, you should feel a powerful for of cold or warm air coming from the vents. If you feel minimal airflow, you should call a heating and AC repair professional.

Reduced airflow can affect the temperature in your home. Your heater or air conditioner will need to work harder to keep your home at the desired temperature, which will cause your energy bills to increase. In addition, the extra work will put excess strain on the HVAC system, which could reduce its maximum lifespan.

A few issues can restrict the airflow, and you schedule an appointment for heating and AC repair to determine which issue is restricting the airflow.

  • Clogged air ducts: As clean as you keep your home, dirt, dust, and debris will end up in the air ducts. In just one year, over five pounds of debris can accumulate in the air ducts, restricting the airflow coming from the vents.
    Clogged air ducts can do more than affect the temperature in your home and can affect your home’s air quality. When your heater or air conditioner runs, the debris will circulate in the air, which can cause a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and coughing. A professional in heating and AC repair can clean the debris from the ducts, restore proper airflow, improve your home’s air quality, and ensure your family’s health.

 

  • Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your home are hidden behind walls, under floors, and above the ceilings; therefore, you won’t be able to see any visible damage. The only sign will be reduced airflow. If the ducts are damaged, the heated or cool air will escape from the damaged area before reaching the vents. A heating and AC repair professional can inspect the ducts for damage and repair any damaged parts.

 

  • Faulty blower: Your heater and air conditioner have a blower designed to force the treated air from the unit to the vents throughout your home. If the blower is broken or needs to be replaced, the air won’t reach the vents, resulting in poor airflow. A professional heating and AC repair can examine the blowers to determine the best way to solve the problem, restoring proper airflow.

Restricted airflow can cause multiple problems in your home and with your bank account; therefore, it is best to call a heating and AC repair professional as soon as the problem starts.

#2 The Air Conditioner Is Producing Warm Air

The air conditioner in your Azle, TX home is designed to produce cold air while reducing the humidity. If your air conditioner starts producing warm air, you may need to call a heating and AC repair professional. This problem can occur if the thermostat isn’t set correctly, and you should check the settings before making the call. First, make sure the thermostat is set to the cooling mode. If it isn’t, you will feel warm air coming from the vents. Next, check the fan settings. You should leave the fan set to “on” because when the air conditioner cycles, the fan will continue running, and you will feel the warm air. Finally, the temperature in the house needs to be warmer than the setting on the thermostat for the air conditioner to kick on. If your thermostat is set correctly and the unit is still producing warm air, you should call a heating and AC repair professional.

There are a few problems that can prevent the AC from producing cold air, including:

  • Dirty air filter: HVAC professionals suggest you change the air conditioner’s air filter every 90 days. If a family member has allergies or you have pets, you should replace the filter every 45 days. If you have neglected to change the air filter, it can become clogged and dirty, and the air won’t move through the unit, causing the unit to overheat and produce warm air.

 

  • Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils are essential in keeping your home cool and comfortable. The coils extract the heat from your home, beginning the cooling process. When moisture builds up on the evaporator coils, they will freeze and can’t do their job. You will need a heating and AC repair professional to thaw the coils and figure out why they froze to prevent this problem from recurring.

 

  • Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to produce cold air. If the refrigerant is leaking, the unit cannot produce cold air, and you will need to call a professional in heating and AC repair.

 

  • The outdoor unit has no power: The indoor and outdoor AC units work together to produce cold air. You will need an HVAC professional to repair the leak and refill the refrigerant.

 

  • The unit is nearing the end of its lifespan: The average lifespan of an air conditioner is 15 to 20 years. If the unit isn’t producing cold air and nearing its maximum lifespan, it may be time to replace it.

A DIY repair is not recommended because multiple issues can prevent the air conditioner from producing cold air. A professional in heating and AC repair can diagnose the problem easily so that it can be resolved.

#3 The Heater Is Producing Cool Air

If you turn on the heat in your Azle, TX home and you feel cold air coming from the vents, you may need to call a professional in heating and AC repair. As mentioned above, thermostat errors can cause this problem, so you should check the settings before making the call.

If the thermostat is set correctly, it is time to schedule an appointment for repair. Several issues can cause this problem, and you will need an HVAC tech to determine which one is causing the problem.

  • The furnace hasn’t heated up: If you turn the furnace on for the first time in days or the first time during the heating season, it will be cold. It takes a few minutes to heat up; therefore, you shouldn’t panic right away if the furnace is blowing cold air. If the furnace is still blowing cold air after several minutes, it may be time to call a heating and AC repair professional.

 

  • Dirty filter: If the furnace filter is dirty or clogged, it can restrict the airflow from the vents. It can also cause the furnace to overheat, preventing it from producing warm air.

 

  • Faulty high limit switch: If the high limit switch fails, the furnace will think it’s overheating, and it will shut down. If this happens, you will need a heating and AC repair expert to replace the switch, allowing the furnace to produce warm air.

 

  • The pilot light is out: If your furnace is relatively new, it may not have a pilot light; therefore, this can’t be the problem. However, if you have an older unit ad the pilot is out, the furnace won’t fire up and will produce cold air. An HVAC tech can figure out why the pilot is out and repair the problem, allowing the furnace to fire up.

 

  • Mechanical failure: Your furnace contains many parts that work together to heat your home. If something in the furnace malfunctions, the unit won’t heat up. It can be challenging to determine which part isn’t working correctly; therefore, you will need to hire a professional right away.

 

  • The furnace should be replaced: On average, your furnace lasts 15 to 20 years. If your furnace isn’t producing warm air and is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be time for a replacement.

#4 Strange Smells When the HVAC System Runs

When your HVAC system runs, it should produce clean, odorless air. It is normal to smell dust when you turn on the heat or air conditioner for the first time of the season, and the smell should dissipate within a few minutes. If you smell any other odors, you should call a heating and AC repair professional, and the smell can help the tech identify the problem.

  • Mold: A moldy smell could indicate mold in the air ducts, which can put your family’s health at risk. When the heater or air conditioner runs, mold spores will circulate in the air, which is dangerous. According to the CDC, mold exposure can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues, skin rashes, headaches, and a weakened immune system, making it hard for your body to fight off disease and infection. If the HVAC tech finds mold in the ducts, it can be eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger. If the ducts are clear, there could be mold in the air conditioner, which is more challenging to eradicate. If the tech cannot eliminate the mold completely, you will need to replace the air conditioner.

 

  • Rotten eggs: A rotten egg smell in your Azle, TX home indicates a gas leak, which is extremely dangerous. A gas leak can result in an explosion; therefore, you should turn off the heat immediately, get everyone out of the house and call 911. The fire department will need to turn off the gas going to your home to ensure it is safe to go back inside. They may also air out the house to let the fumes out. The fire department cannot restore your gas service until the issue has been repaired; therefore, you should schedule an appointment for heating and AC repair right away. The sooner the problem is resolved, the sooner your gas service will be restored.

 

  • Burning: A burning smell when your heater or air conditioner indicates a wiring or electrical issue, which is also very dangerous. Any electrical problem could spark an electrical fire, which could quickly destroy your home while putting your family at significant risk. You should turn off the HVAC system as soon as you notice the smell and schedule an emergency heating and AC repair appointment. Until the tech fixes the problem, you should avoid using the heat and air conditioner.

#5 Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat in your Azle, TX home is your HVAC system’s brain. When you adjust the thermostat, it sends a signal to the HVAC system, letting it know if you want the unit to produce cool or warm air and the temperature you want your home to be. If the thermostat isn’t functioning properly, the HVAC system won’t either.

There are a few signs to look for to let you know if the thermostat is failing:

  • The panel doesn’t light up, even after changing the batteries.
  • The thermostat is completely unresponsive.
  • The heater or AC cycles too often.
  • The temperature in the house doesn’t match the temperature setting on the thermostat.

A heating and AC repair professional can inspect the thermostat to determine if it can be repaired or if replacing the thermostat is a better option. If it is time to replace the thermostat, the tech can discuss your options with you to choose the thermostat that will save you the most money on your energy bills and fits your lifestyle.

Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth?

If your HVAC system is malfunctioning, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We are a full-service HVAC company, serving customers since 1988.

Our HVAC techs are professionally trained, and NATE certified. They are also required to receive ongoing education to ensure they can work with the latest HVAC technology.

To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.

Photo By AndreyPopov at istock