9 Signs That It Is Time To Call A Professional In Heating And AC Repair | Plano, TX
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The HVAC system in your Plano, TX, home, is essential all year long. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, which are all things that your system is responsible for and when it isn’t working heating and AC repair is necessary.
During the hot summer months, you rely greatly on your air conditioning system. When it is hot outside, it can be impossible to be comfortable in your home if your air conditioning system isn’t working properly. If you experience a complete air conditioner breakdown; it could be a few days before an heating and AC repair tech can get to your home, which can be pretty awful on one of the hottest days of the year.
During the cooler winter months, you rely on your heating system to keep your home warm. On a winter night in Plano, TX, the temperature can drop below freezing. If your heating system isn’t functioning properly, it can make for a very long, cold night.
If you want to prevent a complete breakdown of your HVAC system, you should be able to recognize the signs that it is time to call a professional in heating and ac repair. The sooner you are able to recognize the signs that you need help from an HVAC tech, the less chance there is of experiencing a complete HVAC system breakdown.
#1 It’s Not Working
The most obvious sign that it is time to call a professional in heating and ac repair is if your HVAC system isn’t functioning properly. This is also the most frustrating because a complete HVAC breakdown will make the home’s temperature very uncomfortable. If your home isn’t getting as cool as you would like during the summer, you will need help from an HVAC tech. There are plenty of reasons why your air conditioning system isn’t keeping the home cool. It would take the knowledge and experience of a licensed HVAC tech to figure out why the air conditioner isn’t working properly and then repair the problem.
If your heat isn’t keeping the house warm during the winter, you will need to call a professional in heating and ac repair. Since the winter nights in Plano, TX can get really cold; you should call an HVAC professional. Until you have the problem resolved, you won’t be able to get comfortable in your home.
#2 Air Flow Issues
One of the most common HVAC problems that would require the assistance of a professional in heating and ac repair is airflow issues. When the HVAC system is functioning properly, the air will flow freely from all of the vents in the home, keeping a consistent temperature throughout your Plano, TX home.
If there are airflow issues in your home, a few different problems can arise. These include:
- Hot and cold spots throughout the home
- Inconsistent temperatures from room to room
- Drafty areas
- Whistling sounds due to air pressure issues caused by the poor airflow.
If you are experiencing any issues that signify airflow issues, you should call a professional in heating and ac repair right away. If you allow the problem to persist, your HVAC system will need to work harder to keep every room in your home at the desired temperature. This will put added stress on the system, which can result in a compressor failure. Because the compressor is the heart of your air conditioning system, a failed compressor would likely require you to replace your HVAC system. Ignoring the problem will also cause your energy bill to increase, and it will reduce the lifespan of your HVAC system. The sooner you get a professional in heating and ac repair, the better off you will be.
#3 Strange Sounds
When your heater is functioning properly, you shouldn’t be able to hear any noise. You might hear a low-level noise when it kicks on and off, but that is the extent of it. The same is true with your air conditioning system. If it is working properly, it should be silent. When it cycles on and off, you might hear a clicking sound, but that’s it.
If you hear squeaking, grinding, or squealing sounds coming from your HVAC system, it is time to call a professional in heating and ac repair. Any strange sound that you hear is an indicator that something is wrong with the HVAC system. The sounds could be caused by a loose or broken component, a loose belt, or something inside the HVAC system that needs to be adjusted. Because there are so many causes for strange sounds, it would take a highly trained HVAC tech to inspect the system to determine the cause of the sound. After, they can make the necessary repairs before the issue causes even more harm to your HVAC system. The sooner you make the call, the less risk there will be to your home’s heating and air conditioning system.
#4 The System Is Cycling On and Off Frequently
When your HVAC system is functioning properly, it is going to cycle on and off. If you have the air conditioner running, and the desired temperature in the home has been reached, the air conditioner will cycle off until the temperature increases. If you notice that your air conditioner is cycling on and off frequently all day long, you should call a professional in heating and ac repair. There are a few issues that could be causing the problem. These include:
- Low refrigerant levels
- Dirty or clogged air filter
- The evaporator coil is dirty or covered in ice
If the issue is with the air filter, it is something that you could replace on your own as long as you know where the filter is located. If the air filter appears to be clean, it will take the knowledge and expertise of a professional in heating and ac repair to find the source of the problem. To do so, they would need to inspect your HVAC system to find out what is wrong. Once the problem has been diagnosed, the HVAC tech can make the necessary repairs to keep the system from cycling on and off too frequently.
#5 Foul Odors When the System Is Turned On
When you turn your heat on for the first time during the heating season, it isn’t uncommon to smell dust. The same is true when you turn on your air conditioning system for the first time. The smell comes from the dust that has accumulated in the vents when the system was not in use. After the first few minutes, the smell should subside.
If you smell anything other than dust when you turn on your HVAC system, you should call a professional in heating and ac repair.
If you smell mold when your system is running, there could be mold growth in the vents. If this is the case, you can have an air duct cleaning performed, which will rid your home of the smell and the risk that mold poses. The mold issue could also be within the system itself. If this is the case, you would need a licensed HVAC professional to clean the system.
If you smell something burning when you turn on your HVAC system, there could be an electrical short within the system. This is considered an emergency, and you should get an HVAC tech to your Plano, TX, home, as quickly as possible.
#6 The Air Conditioner Is Working, But It is Humid In the House
Your home’s air conditioning system is responsible for more than keeping it cool in the house. It is also designed to remove the humidity from the air, which will make the air in the home feel cooler and less sticky. If you turn on your air conditioning system and it is still humid in your home, you should call a professional in heating and ac repair. If the home was never humid before, you might need an HVAC tech to recalibrate or tune-up the system. If humidity has been a frequent problem, the issue could be with the HVAC system itself. If the system that has been installed isn’t large enough to accommodate the size of the home, you will experience humidity issues. In cases like this, an HVAC tech can install a whole-house dehumidifier to keep the house’s humidity level down.
Because your HVAC system is very complex and has many moving parts, you would need a professional in heating and ac repair to figure out why your home is so humid so they can resolve the problem. The sooner you call a professional, the sooner your home will be comfortable.
#7 Ice Build-Up
Even though your air conditioner system is designed to keep your home cool, there should never be any ice build-up or puddles around the unit. If you see ice or puddles, you should call a professional in heating and ac repair right away.
The problem could be a blockage in the build-up line. The build-up line is responsible for evacuating any buildup that can freeze on the coils. If the hose is clogged or cracked, it will cause water to spill out. If the water freezes, it will cause ice build-up. If it doesn’t, it will leave puddles of water on the floor near the unit. Because water and ice can be damaging to the unit and the structure of your home, you should call a professional in heating and ac repair immediately.
If there are no issues with the hoses, the fluid on the floor could be Freon. This is a serious issue. Freon is toxic and can be harmful to your family’s health; therefore, the problem should be resolved immediately. Also, if there is Freon leaking, it is only a matter of time before a complete air conditioner breakdown occurs. To prevent this from happening, you will need to call a professional in HVAC repair as soon as possible.
#8 Your Energy Bills Are Higher Than Usual
If you have noticed that your last few energy bills are much higher than usual, your HVAC system could be to blame. There are a few heating and AC repair issues that could be causing your energy bills to be higher than usual. These include:
- Dirty air filter
- Duct leaks
- Failing parts
If your HVAC system is experiencing any of these issues, it will need to work harder to keep your home at the desired temperature. This extra work will show in your monthly energy bills. If your HVAC system is working overtime and you don’t have the problem repaired, it can decrease your HVAC system’s lifespan. Because the HVAC system can be so expensive to repair, it is best to call a professional in heating and ac repair as soon as you notice the increase in your energy bill.
A professional will inspect the HVAC system to find the source of the problem so they can make the necessary repairs. Your energy bills won’t go down until you have the issue resolved.
#9 Your HVAC System Is Old
The average lifespan of an HVAC system is between 15 and 20 years. If your HVAC system has reached its maximum life expectancy and you call for repairs frequently, you should call an HVAC repair professional. A professional can inspect the entire system to figure out if the issue can be repaired or if the HVAC system should be replaced.
If you are having any issues with the HVAC system in your home, schedule a heating and AC repair appointment with One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating. We have been serving residential and business customers in Tarrant County since 1988. Thanks to our knowledge, skill, and professionalism, we have customers who have been loyal to us for over 20 years. Your comfort is important to us, so we will do our best to figure out what is wrong with your HVAC system, then make the necessary repairs.
To schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained, licensed HVAC techs at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, give us a call today.