7 Signs It Is Time To Call An AC Repair Company | Fort Worth, TX
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Every system in your Fort Worth, TX home has a purpose, and they all make your life easier. Some systems are essential all year long, such as your plumbing system and your electrical system. Other systems are used just part of the year, such as your heating system and air conditioning system, but they are just as important as the systems you rely on daily.
Summer in Fort Worth, TX, is very hot. It isn’t uncommon for the temperature to reach 90 degrees, making spending just a few minutes outside unbearable. During the summer, many residents spend a lot of time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat.
If your air conditioning system isn’t working correctly and isn’t keeping your home cool and dry, you will have no way to escape the summer heat. When it is almost as hot inside as it is outside, it can be impossible to stay comfortable in your own home.
The best way to ensure your air conditioner will keep your home cool all summer long is to detect the early sign that there is a problem. If you can identify the problem early and call an AC repair company right away, you can prevent a minor issue from escalating to a major one that will cause your system to shut down completely.
If your air conditioner is experiencing any of the following issues, you should call an AC repair company when the problem first starts.
#1 Broken Thermostat
The thermostat is your HVAC system’s brain. It lets your system know to pump heat or cool air into your home. It tells your system if you want your home to be 65 degrees or 80 degrees. If your thermostat isn’t working, your air conditioner won’t function properly.
If you hit a button on the thermostat and it doesn’t light up, try changing the batteries. If the batteries are dead, the thermostat is unresponsive. If changing the batteries doesn’t help, the thermostat isn’t working, and you will need to call an AC repair company.
There are a few other issues that signify a faulty thermostat.
- Your system won’t turn on
- Your system cycles frequently
- The temperature in the home doesn’t match the setting on the thermostat
An AC repair company will send a tech to your home to check the thermostat. If the tech determines that your thermostat has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced, you should consider your options.
Over the last several years, thermostat technology has come a long way. There are thermostats available today that can help save a significant amount of money on your energy bills.
- Programmable thermostats: Programmable thermostats have been around the longest among the options available. You can program the thermostat to increase and reduce the temperature based on when you are home and when you aren’t.
When the thermostat is programmed, your air conditioner won’t be running on full-blast when you aren’t home, which is a significant waste of energy.
- Smart thermostats: If you have a Google Home or Amazon Alexa, a smart thermostat is an excellent option. The thermostat works with your smart device, and you can control it using the sound of your voice. If you aren’t home, you can use the smart device app to adjust the thermostat when you aren’t home.
- Wi-Fi thermostats: To control a Wi-Fi thermostat, all you need is a smartphone with an internet connection. You can use the app to control the thermostat from anywhere in the world.
#2 Strange Sounds
Strange sounds when the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home is running would require a call to an AC repair company. It is normal to hear a faint clicking sound when the system cycles and any other sounds are cause for concern.
The sound your system makes can help the tech diagnose the problem. For example, a banging or clanging sound can signify a broken or loose part, a faulty component, or the fan blades are out of balance. A buzzing sound could be due to one of several issues, including:
- Loose parts
- The outdoor motor is loose or failing.
- The fan blades are out of balance or loose.
- The condenser coil is dirty
- The air filter is dirty
- There is a refrigerant leak
If you hear a high-pitched screaming sound, you should turn the air conditioner off immediately and call an AC repair company. This is a sign that there is a dangerously high amount of pressure built up, and allowing the system to keep running can be disastrous.
Because there are so many different issues that can cause strange sounds, it is best to call an AC repair company to figure out what is going on.
#3 Moisture Or Leaks
You should never see moisture or liquid pooling around the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home. Moisture in the area often means that a condensate hose is loose, cracked, or broken. This is a relatively easy fix, but your system won’t function at peak performance if you ignore it. Also, the moisture can cause water damage and mold growth. An HVAC tech can easily repair the issue, preventing further problems.
Pooling liquid around the system often signifies a refrigerant leak, which would require an emergency call to an AC repair company. Refrigerant is harmful to humans, and allowing it to pool around the system can be harmful to your health. In addition, your air conditioner won’t function properly if the refrigerant is leaking.
An AC repair company can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant if you have a newer model. If your system is over 10 years old, you may need to have it replaced. Old systems use R-22 refrigerant, which the U.S. government banned on January 1, 2020, because it is toxic and bad for the environment. The HVAC tech likely won’t be able to find R-22; therefore, the only way to solve the issue is to replace the air conditioner.
#4 Moldy Smell
When the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home is functioning correctly, it should produce clean, cold air. If you smell mold or must when the system is running, you should immediately call an AC repair company.
This smell often signifies mold in the air ducts. The ducts are dark and damp, which is the perfect breeding ground for mold. When mold forms in the air ducts, the spores will circulate in the air when the system is running. Breathing in mold spores is very dangerous. Mold can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues and can weaken your immune system. If a member of your household has a chronic respiratory or lung condition, breathing in the mold will make it worse.
An AC repair company can send a tech to your home to inspect the air ducts. If they find mold, it can easily be eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger.
If the tech doesn’t find mold in the air ducts, it is likely in the system itself, which is difficult to remove. In many cases, the air conditioner will need to be replaced.
#5 Burning Smell
If you smell something burning when your air conditioner is running, you should turn it off immediately and call an AC repair company for emergency service.
A burning smell indicates an electrical issue. The electrical problem can spark an electrical fire that could destroy your Fort Worth, TX home if you ignore it.
A tech can find the problem and repair it before disaster strikes.
#6 Poor Airflow
When your air conditioner is running, and you are standing in front of the vents in your Fort Worth, TX home, you should feel a powerful blast of cold air. If there is barely any airflow coming from the vents, you should call an AC repair company. There are a few issues that cause poor airflow.
- Clogged air ducts: Up to five pounds of debris can build up in your air ducts in a year. When the air ducts are clogged, it will obstruct the airflow. Clogged air ducts can cause a few issues. First, when the system is running, the debris in the ducts will circulate in the air, affecting the air quality, and can cause your family to develop allergy symptoms. Also, if the airflow is obstructed, your AC will have to work harder to keep your home cool, which can cause a significant spike in your energy bills. Finally, the added strain on your system can reduce its maximum lifespan.
- Leaky air ducts: Damaged air ducts can cause the cool air to leak from the damaged area before reaching the vents, resulting in poor airflow. This is another issue that can cause an increase in your energy bills and reduce the lifespan of your system.
- Faulty blower: Your system’s blower is designed to force the cold air from the system to the vents in your home. If the blower isn’t working correctly, the cold air won’t reach the vents.
Poor airflow will make it difficult for your home to stay cool and comfortable; therefore, you should call an AC repair company when you first notice the problem.
#7 There Is Warm Air Coming From the Vents
The most obvious sign that you need to call an AC repair company is warm air coming from the vents when the air conditioner is running. Before you make the call and waste money on an unnecessary service call, check the thermostat. One common reason for this issue is user error. First, make sure the thermostat is set to the cooling mode. Next, check the temperature setting. If it is cooler in the house than the setting on the thermostat, your air conditioner won’t produce cold air. If the thermostat is set correctly, it is time to call an AC repair company. There are a few issues that can cause this problem.
- Dirty air filter
- Frozen evaporator coil
- Lack of power to the outdoor unit
- Low refrigerant or a refrigerant leak
- A faulty compressor
You will need an HVAC tech to figure out which of these issues is causing the problem so they can resolve the issue quickly.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth?
If you have issues with your air conditioner and need to call an AC repair company, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We are a full-service HVAC company that has been serving customers in the area since 1988.
Our HVAC techs are highly trained, NATE certified, and have excellent customer service skills. Thanks to our techs’ superb service, many of our customers have been loyal customers for as many as 20 years.
Before we hire a tech, they must pass a drug test, background check, and register with the state of Texas. We do this, so you feel safe when you allow our techs into your home.
HVAC technology is constantly improving, which is why our techs are required to receive ongoing training. We want our tech to be able to install, maintain and repair the latest heating and air conditioning systems.
Your comfort is our primary goal. If your heating or air conditioning system isn’t doing its job, your home won’t stay at a comfortable temperature. If you call during our regular business hours, we will do our best to schedule an appointment for the same day. If you have a major issue that cannot wait, or if the problem starts when we aren’t in the office, we offer emergency service. We will do our best to get a tech to your home as quickly as we would if you were to call during regular business hours.
We understand that most families live on a budget. We also understand that new HVAC equipment is expensive. If you need to replace the equipment, we will do our best to find something that will fit your budget. In addition, our highly knowledgeable staff working for our AC repair company can give you information on the latest money-saving programs that provide tax incentives and can help with some of the costs.
To schedule an appointment with our AC repair company, give us a call today.