8 Common Causes Of Heating And AC Repair Problems | Fort Worth, TX
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There are very few guarantees in life, but there is one that we can make, at some point, you will need heating and AC repair in Fort Worth, TX. Your HVAC system is a complicated machine, and any number of small issues may lead to a breakdown or a minor repair. While most people don’t like the idea of paying a heating AC repair bill, it is much less than paying for a new HVAC system which costs significantly more. This is why it is so important to keep you with your HVAC system and make HVAC repairs as needed.
A smart way to extend the lifespan of your HVAC is by booking annual heating and AC repair service call for your HVAC system. Regular servicing takes care of an array of issues before they become large problems and can help you avoid unexpected heating and AC repair in Fort Worth, TX. Many times during a service call components that are breaking down, damaged, or wearing out can be spotted so that they can be replaced before they force your entire system to break down.
Finding yourself stranded in the summer heat or the cool winter nights of Fort Worth, TX without your HVAC system is not worth it when a simple call for heating and AC repair and servicing can take care of future issues. Usually, if you notice something wrong with your system it won’t resolve itself. A lot of people mistakenly put off heating and AC repair because they think that the problem will stop on its own. Very rarely does this happen, instead what happens is the entire system breaks down and people find themselves without an HVAC system and very uncomfortable for days.
There are dozens of HVAC systems and each contains specialized parts. There is a good chance that a replacement is not on stock if it breaks, so not only do you have to wait for an HVAC company to have an open appointment for your heating and AC repair, but then you have to wait additional days for the actual part to come in so the repair can be finished. Simply put, it’s not worth it.
As an HVAC company, we see a lot of the same problems over and over when we arrive at homes that call for heating and AC repair. Curious as to what the largest HVAC problems are that we discover in Texas? The following is a quick guide to the most common problems with HVAC systems in Fort Worth, TX, and tips on how you can avoid finding yourself in the same spot during a heating and AC repair call.
Non-Existent Maintenance Record
A lot of the problems we see at Fort Worth, TX homes when we arrive for heating and AC repair are directly related to poor maintenance. About 75% of the time a lot of furnace and AC issues could have been avoided if a certified HVAC technician had simply conducted a maintenance call. We know that life is busy and there are a lot of things going on at once, especially in today’s climate. However, taking the time to schedule an annual service call is really worth it.
Your HVAC system is a massive investment within your home. If you spent several thousand dollars on a watch or computer you would not leave it outside in the rain or toss it in the corner and expect it to maintain its value. The investment you make into your home’s HVAC system needs to be protected. Costly breakdowns heighten the amount of money you put into your system and almost always cost more than annual heating and AC repair visits. They also save you a lot of frustration and periods of being uncomfortable in your home.
Pilot Issues
If your pilot is out, you won’t be able to get any cool or warm air out of your HVAC system. That is why it is one of the first things you should check if your entire system shuts off. Sometimes the pilot just needs to be relit, but there are a lot of other reasons that a pilot may go out and almost all of them require the skill of a certified HVAC technician and a heating and AC repair visit.
During a heating and AC repair visit, we will take a close look at your pilot to determine if it is dirty or if there is a problem with the burners or flame sensor. These issues can usually be resolved by cleaning the pilot system or replacing a small component. However, sometimes the issue is linked to problems with the gas supply or an ignition component breaking down. The combination of electricity and gas makes for a dangerous situation, so it is always best to let a professional handle these types of heating and AC repair tasks.
Dirty Filters
Some homeowners, especially first-time homeowners do not realize how important it is to regularly change their air filters. This can cause significant issues, especially if dirty air filters are left in the system for months on end. In the same way, you wouldn’t dream of driving your car without changing the oil every three months, you shouldn’t leave dirty air filters in your furnace. In fact, making a point to change your filters around the same time you get your oil changed is a great way to remember.
Dirty air filters restrict the amount of air that is able to pass through the unit which will force your HVAC system to work much harder than usual to push air around your home. The end result is the blower will have to work much harder than it should have to drive up the costs of heating and cooling your home while also increasing the amount of wear and tear on your system. In addition, if the filter gets too dirty it can actually force the furnace to overheat which will result in the entire system shutting down leaving you in the cold.
Thermostat Problems
These days there are hundreds of thermostats on the market, which makes it hard to tell over the phone whether or not the thermostat is the issue. However, if a furnace is running but is not properly heating or cooling a home there is a good chance that the thermostat is to blame. One easy way to see if the thermostat might be responsible is by placing an independent thermometer near the thermostat to see if it is correctly measuring the temperature in the room. Sometimes doing something as simple as changing the batteries may restore the ability of your thermostat to correctly regulate your home temperature. If you are still having issues, then it is time to call for heating and AC repair so a tech can get to the bottom of the situation.
Odd Noises Coming from Your Furnace
In general, your furnace should not make any noises. If you start to hear suspicious noises coming from your furnace this is a clear indication that something is wrong and warrants a closer look. A lot of noises are indicative of large problems and need to be addressed with heating and AC repair right away.
For instance, a loud banging or popping can indicate that something is malfunctioning and is usually something that needs to be looked at fairly quickly. If the noise continues to escalate it may be a good idea to turn off your HVAC system and wait for the heating and AC repair visit. Knocking noises are also common issues and indicate that something is misfiring within your furnace system.
On the other hand, squealing or whining is often produced by motor bearings that are starting to fail. You should also take quick action because allowing worn-down bearings to continue to squeal could eventually lead to more expensive damage like broken belts or other components along with the bearing failure. You may hear whistling sounds as well that are caused by dirty burners or airflow issues because of dirty filters or a clogged fan. Regardless of what type of sound you hear it is not a good idea to ignore it because it may compromise your HVAC system and eventually cause it to break down.
Simple Wear and Tear
At the end of the day, despite the expensive cost associated with our HVAC system, it is still just a machine, and that means that eventually, it will start to wear down. Even the best-kept HVAC system is going to show signs of wear and tear over time. The key is to help address the wear and tear before it causes an actual failure.
During a service call, technicians will look at certain components such as belts and bearings closely because these are some of the most likely components to be affected by wear and tear. Replacing bearings or stretched-out belts before they fail helps protect your entire HVAC system and protects against issues like poor heating, overheating, and issues with airflow. Replacing these old and aging pieces will also increase the efficiency of your HVAC system which in turn will lower how much you spend on your energy bill each month.
Fuse Starts Blowing Regularly
Anytime you have a fuse blow it can be a pain, but a fuse should only blow once or at the maximum twice before you have an electrician come out to investigate the matter. If the dedicated circuit that hosts your HVAC system is the one that keeps blowing it is time to call an HVAC technician for heating and AC repair. The most common reason that we see fuses blow or breakers trip is the HVAC system is overworking leading to energy surges.
This can be caused by a wide variety of reasons including clogs that are stopping airflow from properly dispersing through the machine or a dirty air filter. Believe it or not, a dirty air filter has the potential to force a blower to work so hard it will shut your entire HVAC system down. This is just one more reason to add to the list above of why it is so important to change your air filters.
If you change your filter, reset your breaker and the problem still happens then it is time to call an HVAC professional. There are other potential issues but it is important to let an expert handle the issue. Sometimes leaks in the ducts or dirty coils can also cause an HVAC system to overwork leading to the surge that causes it to fail.
Blower Never Stops
Ideally, your HVAC system should cycle, which means you should hear it turn on and off throughout the day as it works to regulate the temperature in your home. If you start to notice that your blower is running continuously throughout the day then this is an indication that you have a problem that may require heating and AC repair in Fort Worth, TX. One of the easiest things you can do to troubleshoot the issue is to check the fan switch attached to your thermostat. If the fan is set on then the blower will continue even when not blowing cold or warm air. It is a simple mistake and happens to almost every homeowner at some point.
On the other hand, if the fan is switched off and the blower continues to run then you have a larger issue. The relay may be stuck which will not allow the blower to run off or the HVAC system may sense that it is overheating forcing the blower to continue to run in an attempt to cool it down. The best thing you can do is call for heating and AC repair to get to the bottom of the issue. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth is always happy to come out and inspect any issues you may have. Give us a call today if you notice any of the above problems and we will help get to the bottom of your situation.