6 Issues That Require A Call To An Air Conditioning Service | Azle, TX
You know how hot it can get if you have spent at least one summer living in Azle, TX. It isn’t uncommon for the temperature to reach 98 degrees in late summer, making it uncomfortable and even unsafe to spend too much time outdoors. Many people spend more time indoors during the summer to escape the heat.
If your air conditioner isn’t functioning correctly, staying cool and comfortable in your home can be challenging, making for a long hot summer if you don’t have the unit repaired. Some issues don’t prevent the unit from keeping your home cool; however, allowing the problem to persist could result in a complete breakdown, which is the last thing you need on a hot summer day.
If your air conditioner experiences any of the following issues, it is best to schedule an appointment for air conditioning service right away.
#1 Broken Thermostat
The thermostat in your Azle, TX home is your HVAC system’s brain, and it sends a signal to the system, letting it know to produce warm or cold air and the desired temperature. If the thermostat isn’t working, your air conditioner won’t work either.
There are a few signs to let you know that your thermostat isn’t working correctly.
- The thermostat doesn’t light up when you press a button.
- The thermostat is unresponsive.
- The air conditioner cycles too frequently.
- The temperature on the thermostat doesn’t match the temperature in the house.
Before you call an air conditioning service, try changing the batteries. If the batteries are dead, the thermostat won’t work. If, after changing the batteries, the thermostat still doesn’t work, you should schedule an appointment for service.
If the tech determines your thermostat cannot be repaired, you have several options. Thermostat technology has evolved considerably over the last several years, and today, programmable thermostats aren’t the only type of thermostat that can help you save money.
- Smart thermostat: Smart thermostats work with smart devices such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa. You can adjust the thermostat using the sound of your voice, the same way you give the smart device commands. When you aren’t home, you can use the smart device’s app on your cellphone to adjust the thermostat.
- Wi-Fi thermostat: Wi-Fi thermostats don’t have to be programmed before you leave the house. You can control the thermostat from anywhere in the world as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. If you forgot to adjust the temperature after leaving the house, you could adjust it on your phone. In addition, before heading home, you can adjust the temperature to ensure you are coming home to a cool house.
When you schedule an appointment for an air conditioning service, the tech will discuss your options with you. They can let you know the average cost of your options and the pros and cons of each. This can help you make an informed decision before buying your new thermostat.
#2 Restricted Airflow
When you stand in front of the vents in your Azle, TX home when the air conditioner is on, you should feel a powerful rush of cold air. If the airflow is restricted, you should call an air conditioning service immediately.
Restricted airflow can make it challenging for the unit to keep your home cool, and it will have to work harder to reach the desired temperature. When the unit works harder, it uses more electricity, resulting in higher energy bills than usual. In addition, when your air conditioner works harder, it will put added strain on the unit, decreasing its maximum lifespan. Replacing your air conditioner requires a significant financial investment; therefore, you should call an Azle, TX AC service so the tech can figure out what is causing the airflow to be restricted so that the necessary repair can be made.
There are a few issues that can cause airflow issues.
- Clogged air ducts: The air ducts in your home are designed to deliver the cool air from the air conditioner to the vents throughout your home. Over time, dirt, dust, and other debris can build up in the air ducts, restricting the airflow from the vents. Fortunately, an air conditioning service can clean the ducts, restoring the airflow.
- Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your home are hidden behind the walls, under the floors, and above the ceilings; therefore, if the ducts are damaged, you won’t know. The only sign is restricted airflow. If there is a break or crack in the ducts, the cool air will escape from the damaged area, resulting in inadequate airflow. An HVAC tech can inspect the ducts for damage and repair the ducts if necessary.
- Faulty indoor blower: The indoor blower is designed to force the cool air from the air conditioner to the vents throughout your home. If the blower is beginning to fail, you won’t get the force of air from the vents you expect. An air conditioning service can repair or replace the blower motor, restoring the airflow.
Restricted airflow can impact your energy bills and your air conditioner; therefore, it is best to schedule an appointment for air conditioning service as soon as the airflow issue begins.
#3 Unit Produces Warm Air
Warm air coming from the vents when the air conditioner runs is the most obvious sign you need to call an air conditioning service. This problem can make it impossible for your home to stay cool and comfortable; therefore, it is best to make the call right away.
There are a few issues that can cause this problem.
- You set the thermostat incorrectly: Incorrect temperature settings are one of the most common causes of this problem. You should check the settings before calling a professional to avoid an unnecessary service call. First, make sure the unit is set to the cooling mode. Next, check the fan setting. If the fan is set to “on,” it will keep running when the air conditioner cycles off, and you will feel the cold air from the vents, and you should switch the setting to “auto.” Finally, check the temperature setting. The temperature in your home has to be warmer than the temperature on the thermostat for the unit to produce cold air.
- Dirty air filter: HVAC manufacturers recommend changing the air filter every 90 days. If a family member has allergies or you have pets in your home, you should change it every 45 days. If you haven’t changed the air filter in a while, it could be the reason why your unit is producing cold air. A dirty air filter will prevent the air from moving through the system the way it should, putting added strain on the unit causing it to produce warm air.
- Frozen condenser coils: The condenser coils are essential for the unit to produce cold air. The coils extract the heat from the air to begin the cooling process. If condensation forms on the coils, they will freeze and cannot do their job. An air conditioning service can thaw the coils and determine why they froze so it doesn’t happen again.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to produce cold air. If the unit is leaking refrigerant, the unit cannot create cold air.
- No power to the outdoor unit: The indoor and outdoor units work together to keep your home cool and comfortable. If the power to the outdoor unit has been interrupted, the indoor unit can’t do its job, and the system won’t produce cold air.
It will be impossible to stay comfortable in your home if the unit isn’t producing cold air; therefore, you should call an air conditioning service right away.
#4 Strange Smells
The air conditioner in your Azle, TX home should always produce cold, odorless air. If you smell something strange when the unit runs, you should immediately call an air conditioning service. Strange smells indicate serious and potentially dangerous issues; therefore, you shouldn’t wait to make the call.
The odor in your home can point the tech in the right direction.
- Mold: If you smell mold or mildew when the air conditioner runs, there could be mold in the air ducts. The air ducts are dark and hidden, and when your home is humid, moisture can form in the ducts, creating the perfect environment for mold growth.
Mold in the ducts is a dangerous issue because when the unit runs, mold spores will circulate in the air your family breathes, which can be harmful to their health. Health experts warn that breathing mold can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues, and skin rashes. In addition, mold can weaken your immune system, making it difficult for your body to fight off infection and disease. If a family member has a chronic respiratory or lung disease, mold will worsen their condition and symptoms.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to your home to inspect the ducts for mold. If there is mold in your air ducts, it can be eradicated using an antimicrobial fogger.
If the ducts are free of mold, they could be in the air conditioner, which is more challenging to eliminate. If the tech cannot remove all the mold, you will need to replace the unit.
- Burning: A burning smell is serious, and you should turn off the unit immediately and schedule an appointment for air conditioning service. This smell often indicates an issue with the wiring or an electrical problem within the unit, which could spark an electrical fire that can put your home and family at significant risk if left ignored.
Strange smells indicate serious and potentially dangerous problems; therefore, it is best to fix the problem immediately.
#5 Moisture or Fluid Pooling Around the Unit
The area around the indoor unit in your Azle, TX home should be dry. If there is moisture or fluid pooling around the unit, you should call an air conditioning service right away.
Moisture on the floor, walls, and unit often indicates a cracked, clogged, or disconnected condensate hose. This is a simple fix; however, the moisture can cause water damage and mold growth if left ignored.
Fluid pooling around the unit could indicate a refrigerant leak, which would require a call to an emergency air conditioning service. Without adequate refrigerant, your air conditioner cannot produce cold air.
If your unit is relatively new, an HVAC tech can fix the leak and refill the unit. Unfortunately, if your unit is over ten years old, it will need to be replaced. Old units use R-22 refrigerant, which was deemed toxic and harmful to the environment, causing the U.S. government to ban the production of R-22 on January 1, 2021. The tech can fix the leak, but they won’t have R-22 to refill it.
#6 Strange Sounds
When your air conditioner runs, the only sound you should hear is a faint clicking sound when the unit cycles. Any other sounds indicate an issue that requires an appointment for an air conditioning service.
A banging sound indicates loose or broken parts or a failing compressor. A squealing sound could indicate a balance issue with the indoor blower or the outdoor fan blades, and a buzzing sound could also indicate these issues or a refrigerant leak. A high-pitched squealing often signifies high pressure in the unit, which is very serious. You should turn the unit off right away and call an emergency air conditioning service.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth?
If you need to schedule an appointment for air conditioning service, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We opened our doors in 1988, and since then, we have been providing quality service to customers in the area. Many of our customers have been loyal customers for years, thanks to the excellent service we provide.
Our techs are professionally trained NATE certified and must pass a background check drug test and register with the state of Texas before they are hired. In addition, they must receive ongoing training to ensure they can install, maintain and repair the latest HVAC technology.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning service or any other service we provide, give us a call today.