8 Signs That It Is Time To Call An AC Repair Company | Fort Worth, TX
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Summer in Fort Worth, TX, can get very hot. The average daytime temperature in Fort Worth is between 94 and 98 degrees. It also gets very humid, which can make it feel hotter than it really is. Because the summers are so hot, you rely greatly on your air conditioning system to keep your home cool and comfortable. If your air conditioner isn’t functioning properly, it is essential that you can recognize the signs so you can contact an AC repair company. If you can recognize the signs early, you can have your system repaired before a minor issue becomes a major one, resulting in a complete system breakdown. If this happens, it will be impossible to stay cool in your home. High temperatures inside can also put your family’s health at risk.
If you are experiencing any of the issues listed below, you should call an AC repair company as soon as possible.
#1 The Air Conditioner Is Blowing Warm Air
The most obvious sign that there is an issue with the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home is warm air coming from the vents. Before you make the call, you should check the thermostat settings. First, make sure that the system is set to the cooling mode. If it isn’t, you won’t get cold air from the vents. You should also check the temperature setting. The temperature setting needs to be set lower than the temperature in the house for the system to kick on. If everything is set correctly, you should call an AC repair company.
There are a few issues that could be causing the problem. The most common is a failed compressor. If the compressor isn’t working, warm air will come from the vents, and the home won’t reach the desired temperature. The issue could also be low refrigerant. Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to cool the air that comes through the vents. If the refrigerant level is low, your Fort Worth, TX home won’t reach the desired temperature. You could also have a problem with your air ducts. If there is a crack or split in the air ducts, the hot air from outside will be pulled into the home through the attic, causing warm air to come from the vents.
It is best to call an AC repair company as soon as you notice the problem. It will take the knowledge and experience of an HVAC professional to figure out what is causing the problem so that it can be repaired. The sooner you have the issue resolved, the sooner your home will be cool and comfortable.
#2 Little Or No Air Flow Coming From the Vents
If the airflow coming from the vents in your Forth Worth, TX home is poor, or there is no airflow at all, you should call an AC repair company. If you aren’t getting proper airflow from the vents, it will be impossible for your home to remain cool. If your Fort Worth, TX home will reach the desired temperature, you need adequate airflow.
The most common cause of this problem is the air ducts. Over time, dust, dirt, pet dander, and other debris can build up inside the air ducts creating a clog, making it difficult for the air to flow properly. If there is a small crack or break in the air ducts, the cold air will escape through the hole before reaching the vents. There could also be an issue with the compressor. If it isn’t functioning properly, your system won’t be able to create enough cool air to reach the vents. The fan could also be malfunctioning, which is essential for blowing the cool air through the air ducts and out the vents.
Because there are so many issues that can be causing the problem, you will need an AC repair company. A licensed HVAC tech will inspect your system and the air ducts to determine the source of the problem so they can make the necessary repairs. The air conditioner in your Forth Worth, TX home is very complex; therefore, diagnosing and repairing an issue should not be a DIY project.
#3 Strange Smells Coming From The Air Conditioner
When you turn on your air conditioner for the first time during the cooling season, it is normal to smell a dusty smell. During the heating season, dust can build up in the air conditioner, but it will burn off after the system runs for a few minutes. If you smell anything other than dust when your air conditioner is running, you should call an AC repair company.
If there is a moldy smell when the system is running, you could have mold or mildew build up inside the air ducts or in the air conditioner itself. This is a very serious issue. When there is mold in the ducts or the system, it will blow mold spores throughout the house, causing the air quality to be poor. When your family breathes in these spores, it can cause itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. Breathing in mold can also affect your family’s immune system. If someone living in the home has respiratory issues such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or COPD, breathing in mold spores can make their condition and their symptoms worse. For the sake of your family’s health, it is essential that you call an AC repair company right away. The air won’t be safe for your family to breathe until you schedule an appointment with an AC repair company.
If you smell something burning when the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home is running, you should turn it off and schedule an appointment with an AC repair company immediately. There could be an issue with the electrical wiring, which can result in an electrical fire. This type of fire can quickly overwhelm your home; therefore, you should not use your air conditioner until it has been fully inspected and repaired by an HVAC tech.
#4 Thermostat Issues
The thermostat is your air conditioning system’s brain. The thermostat tells your air conditioner when to kick on and when to kick off. It also tells your system how much cool air needs to be pumped to reach the desired temperature. If your thermostat isn’t functioning properly, your home won’t be cool and comfortable.
There are a few issues that will let you know that the thermostat in your Forth Worth, TX home isn’t working properly. These include:
- The thermostat has no power or is unresponsive.
- The air conditioner runs constantly and won’t turn off
- The temperature in the home doesn’t match the temperature on the thermostat
If you call an AC repair company and the HVAC tech determines your thermostat is broken, you should discuss your options. You can have a programmable thermostat installed that can save money on your cooling costs. You can set your thermostat to turn down your air conditioner when nobody is home, then turn it up automatically before you return home so your home will be cool.
You can also have a Wi-Fi thermostat installed that can be controlled from your Smartphone or tablet. You can turn your system on and off and control the temperature from anywhere in the world as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.
If you use Alexa, you can purchase a thermostat that can be controlled through your Alexa device, using just your voice. You can say what you want the thermostat to do, and it will do it automatically.
When you call an AC repair company, the HVAC tech can discuss your options and the benefits associated with each.
#5 Strange Sounds Coming From the Air Conditioner
If the air conditioner in your Forth Worth, TX home is functioning properly, it should be relatively quiet. The most you should hear is a low-level humming sound and a clicking when the system kicks on and off. If you hear anything other than these sounds, you should schedule an appointment with an AC repair company. There are many different sounds that are caused by a specific issue.
- Metal on metal sounds often means that the system’s fan or bearings are failing.
- Banging or clanging sounds can occur if the fan mount has become loose and hits the metal cage. There could also be a loose part within the unit.
- Clicking signifies an obstruction in the fan or an electrical issue.
- Gurgling or bubbling sounds could signify a broken or clogged condensate drain line. It could also be a sign of a refrigerant leak.
- A high-pitched hissing or screaming sound is a very serious issue. If you hear this, you should turn your system off immediately and call an AC repair company. This could mean that there is a high-pressure build-up that can have catastrophic consequences. Many newer systems have a shut-off valve that kicks on when the pressure is too high. If your system doesn’t shut down on its own, you should turn it off and call for emergency air conditioning repair.
- Squealing inside the unit could be a broken fan belt. These sounds often come and go, which makes them easy to ignore. If you don’t call an AC repair company, the fan belt will break immediately, resulting in a complete system breakdown.
#6 High Humidity In the Home
The air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home is designed to do more than keep your home cool. It also removes the humidity, making it more comfortable. If it is very humid in your home, you should schedule an appointment with an AC repair company. Your system may need to be recalibrated, which is an easy fix. High humidity can also mean that your system has reached the end of its lifespan.
High humidity levels in your home can do more than make you feel sticky and uncomfortable. If you allow the problem to persist, the moisture and humidity can promote mold growth, bringing on a whole new set of problems. It is best to call an AC repair company as soon as the problem starts.
#7 Moisture Or Leaks Around the System
There should never be moisture or liquid pooling around your air conditioner. If there is, you should call an AC repair company immediately. The issue could be a broken or clogged condensate hose, which is a simple fix. If you ignore the problem, mold and mildew can grow in the area.
Your system could also be leaking refrigerant, which is a serious problem. If there is refrigerant leaking, there won’t be an adequate amount to keep your home cool. If this is the case, your HVAC tech will need to refill the refrigerant. If you have an older system that requires an R-22 refrigerant, you have a major problem. This refrigerant has been phased out and then banned by the U.S. government because it has been deemed toxic and harmful to the environment. Because this refrigerant is no longer being produced, there is a good chance that you will need to have your air conditioning system replaced.
#8 Your Cooling Costs Have Increased
If you have been living in your Forth Worth, TX home for more than one summer, you should have an idea of how much your energy bills increase during the cooling season. If your bills are significantly higher than in previous years, you should call an AC repair company. If there is an issue that causes your system to function inefficiently, it will need to work harder to keep your home cool, which will cause an increase in your energy bill. The sooner you make the call, the sooner your energy bills will go back to normal.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Fort Worth?
If you are having issues with your air conditioning system, you want to work with the best in the business. This means contacting the professionals at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Fort Worth. We have been serving residential and business customers in the area since 1988. Many of our customers have been loyal customers for 20+ years because of the excellent service we provide.
We understand that you rely greatly on your air conditioner during the summer, which is why we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are having an issue with your system, we will be there to repair it regardless of the time of day.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning maintenance, repair, or installation, give us a call today.