7 Problems That Require A Call To An Air Conditioning Service | Fort Worth, TX
In Fort Worth, TX, summertime can get very hot, and it isn’t uncommon for the temperature outside to reach 90 degrees or above. When it gets this hot outside, most people spend more time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat.
If your air conditioner isn’t functioning correctly, the temperature in your home will be just as hot as it is outside, which can put your family at risk. Heatwaves cause as much death as freezing temperatures, causing hundreds of deaths every year. The heat can also put your family at risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, leading to complications if left untreated.
Your home’s air conditioner is essential to your family’s comfort and health; therefore, it’s important to detect minor problems with your air conditioner early before the issue escalates to a complete AC breakdown.
If the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call an air conditioning service.
#1 Faulty Thermostat
Your thermostat sends signals to your HVAC system based on the settings you enter. If the thermostat isn’t working correctly, your air conditioner won’t either. It’s a good idea to change the batteries every six months to keep the thermostat functioning.
There are a few signs that your thermostat is faulty, including:
- The thermostat doesn’t light up even after the batteries have been changed.
- The temperature in the house doesn’t match the temperature on the thermostat.
- Your air conditioner cycles more frequently than it should.
- The thermostat is unresponsive.
If you suspect your thermostat is faulty, it’s best to call an air conditioning service. They will send a tech to your home to inspect the thermostat to determine if it is broken. If the tech decides it’s best to replace the thermostat, you have a few options.
Thermostat technology has evolved over the past several years, and programmable thermostats aren’t the only money-saving option.
Wi-Fi thermostats have increased in popularity over the last few years. You can control the thermostat using your cell phone from anywhere as long as there is an internet connection.
Smart thermostats are also popular today, and they work with smart devices such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa. You can adjust the thermostat using the sound of your voice when you are home, and when you aren’t, you can adjust the thermostat on the smart device’s app.
These thermostats will eliminate the need to program the thermostat every day based on when your family is home, and it’s much easier to make a quick adjustment when necessary.
The air conditioner service can discuss the pros and cons of every option, helping you make the best choice based on your family’s needs. When the thermostat is replaced, your air conditioner will start functioning correctly again.
#2 Poor Airflow
The air coming from the vents keeps your Fort Worth, TX cool and comfortable all year long. You should feel a cold rush of cold air when standing in front of the vents. If the airflow is reduced, your home won’t reach the desired temperature, and your air conditioner will have to work twice as hard to keep your home comfortable. This extra work draws more energy, causing your electric bills to increase. Also, the extra work will put added strain on the unit, reducing its lifespan, and you will need to replace it sooner than necessary.
The best way to avoid these problems is by calling an air conditioner service as soon as you notice the problem. A few issues can cause poor airflow, and an air conditioning service can send a tech to your home to figure out what is causing the problem.
- Faulty blower: Your air conditioner has a blower designed to force the cold air from the unit through the air ducts to the vents in every room in your house. If the blower isn’t working correctly, the air won’t reach the vents, resulting in minimal airflow. An air conditioning service can repair or replace the blower to restore adequate airflow.
- Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your Fort Worth, TX home, are hidden; therefore, you can’t see any damage. If the air ducts are damaged or the seals fail, the cold air will escape from damaged areas before it reaches the vents, resulting in poor airflow.
An HVAC tech can inspect the air ducts for damage, and repair any damaged areas and replace the seal, providing efficient airflow. - Clogged air ducts: Over time, dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate in the air ducts. Over five pounds of debris can build up in just one year, clogging the ducts and restricting the airflow. An air conditioning service can clean the debris from the air ducts, restoring the airflow.
You can prevent this problem from happening again by having your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years.
When the job is complete, the airflow will be restored, and your home will be cool and comfortable. In addition, the repair will keep your electric bills down and extend the lifespan of your air conditioner.
#3 Strange Smells
The air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home should produce clean, odorless air and shouldn’t emit a smell if it is running correctly. When the air conditioner isn’t in use during the winter, dust will settle, and the unit will emit a musty smell. Fortunately, this should last just a few minutes until the dust burns off. If you smell any other foul smell when the unit runs indicates an issue that requires a call to an air conditioning service, and the odor in your home can point the HVAC tech in the right direction.
- Burning: If you smell something burning when your air conditioner runs, turn it off immediately and call an air conditioning service. The burning smell indicates an electrical or wiring issue that could start an electrical fire if you continue using the air conditioner and can quickly destroy your home.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to inspect the wiring and electrical system to find the affected wires to make the necessary repair. - Mildew or mold: A moldy or mildew smell indicates mold growth in the air ducts or the air conditioner and requires an emergency call to an air conditioning service.
The air ducts in your home are hidden, and light doesn’t shine in the ducts. When it gets humid in your home, condensation can accumulate in the air ducts, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. If there is mold in the ducts, spores will circulate in the air when the unit runs, putting your family’s health at significant risk. According to the CDC, mold exposure causes several health issues, including:- Allergy symptoms
- Respiratory problems
- Chronic headaches
- Skin rashes
- Weakened immune system
- If a family member has a chronic lung or respiratory issue, mold exposure can be even more dangerous and can worsen their symptoms and condition. If the tech finds mold in the ducts, they can use an antimicrobial fogger to eradicate the mold and prevent future growth.
If the tech doesn’t find mold in the air ducts, they will check the air conditioner. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy to eliminate mold from an air conditioner as in the air ducts. If the tech can’t get to all of the mold, you will need to replace the air conditioner.
#4 The Air Conditioner Produces Warm Air
A lack of cold air is the most obvious and one of the most serious problems, and you should call an air conditioning service immediately. As mentioned above, high temperatures can be dangerous, and if the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home isn’t producing cold air, your family’s health will be at risk.
Before calling an air conditioning service, you should check the thermostat setting. User error is a common cause of this problem, and checking the thermostat first will avoid an unnecessary service call. First, the thermostat should be set to the cooling mode. Next, the fan should be set to auto. If you leave the fan on, it will continue running between cycles and will produce warm air. Finally, check the temperature setting. It has to be warmer in the house than the setting on the thermostat for the unit to produce cold air.
If everything checks out, you should call an air conditioning service. Several issues can cause the unit to produce warm air, and you will need an HVAC tech to find the cause of the problem.
- Dirty or clogged air filter: HVAC manufacturers recommend replacing the unit’s air filter every 90 days. If you have pets or a family member has allergies, you should replace it every 45 days. If you neglect to change the air filter, the air won’t move through the unit the way it should, causing the unit to overheat and produce warm air. You can change the filter yourself; however, if you don’t know which air filter you need or how to replace the filter, an air conditioning service can help.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils extract the warm air from your home to begin the cooling process. If the evaporator coils freeze, they can’t do their job, and you should call an air conditioning service.
When condensation forms on the coils, they can freeze. This can happen if you try running the air conditioner when it is cool outside or if there is a problem with the drip pan. An HVAC tech can thaw the coils and figure out why they froze in the first place to prevent it from happening again. - Condenser issues: The indoor unit and the outdoor condenser work together to complete the cooling process. If the condenser isn’t working correctly or gets no power, the unit can’t produce cold air. An air conditioning service will send a tech to inspect the condenser to resolve the problem.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to produce cold air. If there is a leak, there won’t be enough refrigerant in the unit to produce cold air, requiring an emergency call to an air conditioning service.
The sooner the problem is resolved, the sooner your home will be cool and comfortable again.
#5 Strange Sounds
It’s normal for your air conditioner to make a low-level clicking sound when it cycles. If the unit makes any other sounds, you should call an air conditioning service.
Banging and clanging sounds indicate loose or broken parts. There could also be an issue with the indoor or outdoor blower. A high-pitched screaming indicates high pressure in the unit, and you should turn it off immediately and schedule an appointment for repair service.
Trying to ignore the problem can cause further damage, resulting in a more expensive repair bill; therefore, it’s best to call a professional right away.
#7 Moisture or Pooling Fluid
Moisture or pooling fluid around the unit requires a call to an air conditioning service. Moisture on the walls or floor indicates a leaking or broken condensate hose, which is a relatively simple fix.
Fluid pooling around the unit could indicate a refrigerant leak. If your air conditioner is less than ten years old, an HVAC tech can repair the leak and refill the unit. Units older than ten years old will need to be replaced. Older units use R-22 refrigerant, which is toxic, and production was banned on January 1, 2020. The tech can fix the leak but won’t have the refrigerant to refill the unit.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Fort Worth?
If you need an air conditioning service to fix the AC in your home, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We are a full-service HVAC company serving customers in the area since 1988.
Our techs are professionally trained, and NATE certified. They are qualified to install, maintain and repair all HVAC models. If you have an issue that can’t wait, we provide emergency service.
To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.