8 Signs That You Should Schedule An Appointment For AC Repair | Fort Worth, TX
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Summertime in Fort Worth, TX, gets very hot and humid. On an average summer day, the temperature can reach 95 degrees or higher, and the humidity makes it feel hotter than it actually is. During the summer, you rely greatly on your air conditioning system. Without your AC, it will be impossible to get comfortable in your home. The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to break down during the hottest time of the year.
There are a couple of things that you can do to ensure that your air conditioner will always function properly. First, you should have your system maintained every year. During the annual maintenance check, the HVAC tech will give your system a complete inspection. This will allow them to catch a minor issue before it becomes a major one. They will also give the system a tuneup and recalibrate it if necessary.
The second thing you can do to ensure your system is always working properly is to recognize that you need to schedule an AC repair appointment. If you can recognize the signs early, you can have an HVAC tech repair the issue before it gets worse, resulting in an expensive repair bill.
If the air conditioner in your home is experiencing any of the issues listed below, you should schedule an appointment for AC repair.
#1 Warm Air Is Coming From the Vents
The most obvious sign that there is something wrong with your air conditioner is warm air coming from the vents. Before you schedule an appointment for AC repair, you should first check the setting on the thermostat. First, make sure that it is set to the cooling mode. If it isn’t, the system won’t blow out cold air. You should also check the temperature setting. If the temperature in the house is cooler than the setting on the thermostat, the system won’t kick on. If the thermostat is set correctly, schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair.
The issue could be a faulty compressor, which will make it impossible for your system to function properly. Your system could also be low on refrigerant. If there isn’t enough refrigerant in the air conditioner, it won’t function properly. It would take a professional in AC repair to figure out what is causing the problem so they can make the necessary repairs. Until you call for a repair, your home won’t be cool and comfortable.
#2 Poor Air Flow From the Vents
If the airflow is poor, you won’t get enough cold air coming from the vents, which will make it difficult for your home to reach the desired temperature. There are a few different issues that could be causing the poor airflow, and it will take a professional in AC repair to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.
If there are dust, dirt, pet dander, and other debris built up in the air ducts, it can make it difficult for the cold air to reach the vents. Damaged air ducts can also cause poor airflow. If there is a crack in the air ducts, the cold air will escape through the cracks, which will allow a limited amount of cold air to reach the vents.
If there are no issues with the air ducts, your air conditioner’s blower could be malfunctioning. If the blower isn’t working, the cold air won’t reach the vents, causing poor airflow.
It is best to schedule an appointment for AC repair as soon as you notice that the airflow is poor because your home won’t get as cool as you will like until you do.
#3 Thermostat Issues
The thermostat in your Fort Worth, TX home is your HVAC system’s brain. The thermostat lets the system know whether you want your home warm or cool and the temperature you want it to be. If your thermostat isn’t functioning properly, your air conditioner won’t function properly either.
There are a few signs that your thermostat is malfunctioning. These include:
- The thermostat has no power.
- Your air conditioner is constantly running or won’t turn off
- The temperature in the house doesn’t match the temperature on the thermostat
Before you call for AC repair, you should first check the batteries in the thermostat. Your problem could be solved with a simple battery change. If you put new batteries in the thermostat and it still isn’t functioning properly, you should call for AC repair.
If your thermostat isn’t functioning properly, the HVAC tech can discuss your options. If you have a dated thermostat, you can have a programmable thermostat installed in your Fort Worth, TX home. Programmable thermostats allow you to set the air conditioner to turn up and down, based on your cooling needs. For example, if it is 72 degrees in your home, you can program the thermostat to change the temperature to 80 degrees when you leave for work when nobody is home. You can also set it to go back to 72 degrees an hour before returning home so that your Fort Worth, TX house is cool when you get there. Installing a programmable thermostat can save you money on your energy bill.
Today, many homeowners are having smart thermostats installed. These thermostats can control your air conditioner using your cell phone or tablet from anywhere in the world as long as you have a WiFi connection.
#4 Strange Sounds Coming From the Air Conditioner
If the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home is functioning properly, it shouldn’t make any noise. At most, you will hear a low-level clicking sound when the system kicks on and off. If you hear any other sounds, you should schedule an appointment for AC repair. There are several different issues that can be causing the strange sounds, and each one will create a different sound.
- Clicking from the outdoor unit: This sound could be caused by an obstruction in the fan, which can easily be removed. If nothing is stopping the fan from functioning properly, there could be an electrical problem.
- Gurgling sound: This could be caused by a leak on the condensate drain or a refrigerant leak.
- Banging or clanging: This sound occurs when something inside the air conditioner is loose or broken and is rattling around inside the AC. The fan may have come loose, and it is hitting the protective cage.
- High-pitched screaming: This could be caused by your compressor. It indicated a high-pressure buildup, which is very dangerous. If you hear this sound, you should turn your air conditioner off immediately and schedule an AC repair appointment.
#5 Strange Smells When the System Is Running
When you turn on your air conditioner for the first time during the cooling season, it is not uncommon to smell a dusty smell. When the HVAC system hasn’t been in use, dust can build up. After a few minutes, the dust will burn off, and the smell will go away.
If you smell a moldy smell in your Fort Worth, TX home when your system is running, you should schedule an appointment for AC repair. There could be mold built up inside the air ducts or in the system itself, which can cause the air quality in the home to be dangerous for your family to breathe. When mold spores circulate through the home, they will get into your family’s lungs, which is harmful. This is even more serious if a member of your family has allergies or lung issues such as asthma and COPD. Mold buildup can cause their symptoms to worsen.
If you smell a burning smell, the insulation in the system could be burning, or you could have an electrical issue. It is best to turn the air conditioner off as soon as you notice the smell and call for AC repair right away. If you allow the system to continue running, it can result in a fire in your Fort Worth, TX home.
#6 Moisture Around Your Air Conditioner
There should never be moisture around your air conditioner. If you notice moisture or water pooling around the system, you should call for AC repair immediately. The issue could be something minor, like a clogged, broken, or disconnected condensate hose. It could also be something more serious, like a refrigerant leak. If there is refrigerant leaking, it is only a matter of time before your system cannot produce cold air.
If the air conditioner in your Fort Worth, TX home was made before 2010, there is a good chance that it uses R22 refrigerant, which will create a problem. Over the last 10 years, R22 has been gradually phased out because the Environmental Protection Agency deemed it highly toxic. On January 1, 2020, the United States government banned this refrigerant altogether. If you have a refrigerant leak, your HVAC tech won’t be able to get R22 to refill your system. This will require you to have your system replaced. When you call for AC repair, the HVAC tech will let you know what your options are.
#7 High Humidity In Your Home
The air conditioner in your home is designed to do more than keep your home cool. It also removes the humidity from the home. If you notice that your home is more humid than usual, you should schedule an AC repair appointment. High humidity can make your home uncomfortable, and it can create poor air quality. Over time, high humidity can create mold growth, which can be harmful to your family’s health.
The issue could be a simple fix, and the HVAC tech will need to recalibrate your system. It could also be reaching the end of its lifespan, which would require you to replace your system.
#8 Significant Increase In Your Energy Bills
If you have been living in your Fort Worth, TX home for at least one summer, you should have an idea of what your summer cooling costs will be. If your energy bills have increased significantly, your air conditioner could be to blame. If you haven’t been keeping up with annual air conditioner maintenance, your system might not be functioning as efficiently as it could. If your system isn’t functioning efficiently, it will need to work harder than it should to keep your home cool. If your system is working overtime, it will use more energy, resulting in a higher electric bill.
When you schedule an appointment for AC repair, there will be a charge; however, it is a lot less than monthly electric bills that are higher than normal. The sooner you call for air conditioning repair, the sooner your electric bill will go back to normal.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Fort Worth?
If you need to schedule an appointment for AC repair, don’t choose the first company that comes up during a Google search. Instead, contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Fort Worth.
We have been serving residential and business customers in the area since 1988. Many of our existing customers have been loyal customers for 20 years because of the excellent service we provide.
All of our HVAC techs are licensed, insured, and NATE certified. They are also required to receive ongoing training, so they stay up-to-date on the latest HVAC technology. This will give you peace of mind that they will get the job done right the first time, and we can handle any job you have.
We understand that your comfort is essential, which is why we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home properly, you can call for AC repair at any time of the day or night. If you call on a weekend or a holiday, we will get a tech to your Forth Worth, TX home as quickly as we would if you were to call during normal business hours.
To schedule an appointment for AC repair or any other HVAC service, give us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth a call today.