When Is Investing In Emergency Heating And AC Repair Service Worth It?
There are times when you cannot wait to have your home’s heating or cooling repaired. Emergency heating and AC repair service is available to help you when that is the case. This is a service that can often get to your home in a matter of hours rather than days. Not every situation requires this type of fast-acting help, but when you need help, and your home’s heating or cooling is not working the way you want or need it to, it’s time to seek out a professional service.
What Is an Emergency Service?
Emergency heating and AC repair service is available from some professional HVAC providers. This is a fast service, which means you do not have to wait long to get the help you need. Emergency services like this could be available to you right away or within a few hours. Most of the time, this is the fastest service available, which means you do not have to wait until your technician has an available appointment.
Your home’s heating and cooling systems are critical to your family and lifestyle. Without a doubt, you need to be sure it is up and running at its best. When it stops working, you may want to seek help from a skilled technician immediately.
Why Should You Get Emergency Repairs?
In North Richland Hills, emergency heating and AC repair service could be a valuable investment in various situations. It is always a good idea to contact a technician to inquire if you should wait for the next available appointment or book faster emergency help. There are several reasons why you should not wait, depending on the situation itself.
Waiting Could Worsen the Problem
There are some situations where you should call for emergency repair service because waiting could let the problem get worse, which often means a failure of the system or a more expensive repair. There are many situations where this can occur.
For example, right now, your heating or cooling system may be working but is inefficient. It may be turning on and off often. That may signal a need for repairs or some maintenance right now. However, if you do not get that help right away, the problem could worsen so much that your heating and cooling system just stops working. That is going to lead to a more expensive repair process. Instead, getting emergency service now could mean a few updates, and your system is back up and running in no time.
It May Be Unsafe to Wait
There are some situations where it is not safe for you to wait to get repairs to your heating and cooling system. There are many days in North Richland Hills when the temperature gets very high, creating an increased risk of illness or breathing difficulty for some people. It is also just really uncomfortable, and that means you may find yourself simply unable to enjoy your day.
If your system is going through any of the following situations, we highly recommend contacting a professional for emergency heating and AC repair service.
It Will Not Turn On
In situations where the heating or cooling does not turn on, the underlying problem could be a simple fix. This could mean that the breaker has tripped, and all you need to do is turn it back on. If you do that and it still is not operational, it is best to call for repairs.
If the system will not engage, that often means there is a lack of power going to it, or there are risks associated with the operation, such as an electrical wire being damaged. You may also have a situation where the lack of turning on indicates that the system’s fail-safe features are not allowing it to come on, such as due to its inability to get enough air coming into it.
If your system does not turn on, contact a team to get emergency heating and AC repair service. This helps ensure the system is not down for very long.
The Humidity Is Unbearable
While a high temperature is a problem for many people in North Richland Hills, there are other situations where the humidity is very high. In a high-humidity situation, there are a number of potential problems present:
- It is very uncomfortable. This makes it hard for you to live within that space, and even sleeping is difficult to do.
- It can create difficulty for some people to breathe properly, especially those who have asthma or allergies.
- The high humidity levels could put you at risk for mold and mildew growth. This can start to happen within just a few hours of exposure to moisture.
In all of these situations, the problem needs quick action to help get your home back into the proper temperature and humidity range. Your home’s air conditioner can do that work for you when it is back on and working properly.
When you call for emergency heating and AC repair service due to high humidity, let your technician know what you are experiencing and how long it has occurred. That can help you get repairs taken care of soon.
It Is Too Cold
Though the temperatures in North Richland Hills are typically not as cold as other areas of the country, it can get below freezing, and that could put you and your family at risk. The key here is to recognize the risks that come from very cold temperatures within your home. When the temperature drops in the home on a cold winter day, you should not wait to get help. Here’s why.
- Low temperatures can create an increased risk of health complications for some people. That could include causing respiratory distress in those who may be sensitive to it.
- Low temperatures can also lead to freezing pipes, especially in lower levels of your home. If your pipes freeze, that could mean they are at risk of bursting. Though this is not likely to happen in most situations, the risk is there.
- It is certainly not comfortable when the temperature drops, and it may not be safe for you and your family to stay in your home if the temperatures are low for a very long amount of time.
Getting emergency repair service can help to get your home back up to a comfortable temperature in no time. That should help you to keep your home comfortable and make it less likely that you’ll have difficulties later.
Carbon Monoxide Risks
Another instance in which you need emergency heating and AC repair service is when you have a high level of carbon monoxide in the home. If this is occurring, and you know this as a result of the carbon monoxide detectors in your home sounding, leave your home and call a technician. You may also need to call the fire department to come into your home to turn off the heating system.
Carbon monoxide does not have a smell to it. You are likely not going to know it is high unless you have a device in your home to alert you. Very high levels are dangerous and can be life-threatening. They can occur for various reasons related to the functionality of your heating system, such as poor ventilation of the system.
You Have Infants, Older, or Chronically Ill People in the Home
While air conditioning and heating may not seem vital in some situations but rather comfort-focused elements, that is not the case when it comes to people who are older or who have chronic health conditions or disabilities. These individuals tend to be more sensitive to overheating or may be at a higher risk for breathing difficulties. The same is true for most infants and children under the age of 10.
You should call for emergency repair service if you have anyone in your home that is at risk for complications due to the onset of higher or lower temperatures. Don’t put them at risk – call for help right away instead.
You’re Unsure of the Problem
While getting emergency repair service is always an option for you, there are some situations where you should contact a technician even if you are not sure there is a true emergency. Here are some examples of when that is the case.
The Temperatures Are High, and Your System Is Not Keeping Up
If your home’s temperature is approaching 90 degrees and your air conditioner is not working well enough to bring down the temperature to a comfortable level, call a technician. Your system could be struggling just because of the high temps, but other times it could be due to the air filter or a lack of coolant.
The longer it operates inefficiently like this, the more expensive your home’s cooling bills will be over time. Instead, getting emergency service for your system helps to ensure it gets back into good working condition in no time and minimizes this risk.
There Are Loud Sounds Coming from the System
You certainly want to call for emergency repair service if you hear changes in the way your system is operating. For example, you may hear a loud squealing sound or a screeching sound. Some people find themselves experiencing a banging sound. Any of these situations can indicate the heating or cooling system is struggling to work properly. If you do not take the time necessary to repair it now, it could fail completely, and that would likely lead to more expensive repairs later. These loud sounds often warrant turning off your heating or cooling system and waiting for repairs.
There’s No Airflow Coming Through the Vents
You should not wait to call for emergency repair service if you have the system on but there is no air moving through the system. This can happen when there is a major failure with your HVAC, and it can warrant immediate help to preserve any ability to repair it. For example, if your air conditioner is not pumping cool air out – or any air out – that could mean that a major failure has occurred, and it will lead to freezing if not repaired.
A Burning Scent in the Home
Another essential time to call for emergency repair service is when there is any type of a burning smell coming from the system. In this situation, shut off the system, call the fire department, and then call for emergency service from a technician. The electrical system in most homes is designed to provide exceptional protection from these types of fires. Yet, a simple rodent chewing on a line can put your home at risk. For this reason, you should get emergency repair services if you suspect there is any risk of burning in your home.
When You Are Not Sure, Just Call
When you are unsure if you need emergency heating and AC repair service, just contact a technician to tell them what is happening with your home. They can offer some troubleshooting advice and give you an indication of what may need to be done. That way, you can determine if you should have them come out for emergency repairs.
When it comes to getting the help you need, call on One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We offer full emergency heating and AC repair service, and can offer insight into the type of repairs you need. If you are unsure, give us a call or set up an appointment to get your system backup and working properly.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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6 Shocking Benefits Of A Duct Cleaning Service
Air ducts are extremely important but ultimately undervalued aspects of your HVAC system. Most people just think of their furnace and their AC unit when they think about their HVAC system, but your air ducts are just as responsible for proper cooling and heating because they have the physical job of delivering air. All of the air that circulates in your home starts in the air duct system, and therefore, you must take good care of your air ducts and consider a duct cleaning service if you want to optimize the performance of your HVAC system.
The air ducts in your home are more than dark, unseen areas of your home; they are the main ventricles of your home. Much like the lungs are responsible for airflow, the air ducts are the air sacs that store and move oxygen throughout the body. If you don’t pay much attention to your air ducts, you may end up with more than just air hiding in the ductwork. Rodents, pollen, dust, mold, and other random items of debris can end up stuck in the ducts, which means that all of these pollutants will be cycling in your air every single time your HVAC system fires up.
This can sound terrifying, but there is a simple solution that can solve the problem once and for all. Instead of allowing the condition and health of your air ducts to remain a mystery, schedule a duct cleaning service and get to the bottom of the situation. All it takes is one simple cleaning session to get a bird’s eye view of how your ductwork actually looks. A proper duct cleaning service will use a combination of vacuums, brooms, and cameras designed to fit into ducts to clean out and see just how your ducts look.
Not only does this give you a chance to get your ductwork completely cleaned out, but it also gives you a chance to really look inside your ductwork. Like most systems in your home, your air ducts don’t last forever. You have probably never thought about updating your system, but you may have to if the system has many cracks and dents along the way that are impairing proper air delivery. A professional HVAC company can help you evaluate this during your ductwork inspection.
At this point you are probably thinking more about your home ducts than you ever have in the past. Take a minute to think about how the area under your child’s bed looks, and then think about how many things could be hidden in the ductwork. It has most likely been longer since you have looked in your ducts (if ever), so if that thought is making you uncomfortable, now might be the perfect time to schedule a duct cleaning service.
If you still need a bit of a push before you call an HVAC company and have them come take a look at your ductwork, take a minute to read the following shocking benefits of a duct cleaning service. There are a lot of great reasons to think about cleaning out your ducts, and a lot of these benefits will help you save money. Did that catch your attention, because it’s true – keeping your ducts clean can actually help you save money in the long run. Learn why this is and the many other benefits of clean ducts below.
Better Air Quality
As mentioned above, dozens of pollutants can be hiding inside your air ducts, and all of those things can compromise the air quality in your home. In Texas, most people don’t spend much time with their windows open during the summer months, so the air circulating through your home is the only fresh air you will get. You want to ensure that this air is as clean as possible, especially if you have young children or seniors in your home. This is also extremely important if someone in your home has allergies or chronic breathing issues.
A lot of things get pulled into your air ducts, such as dust, pet dander, CO2, pesticides, and even chemicals, sometimes depending on whether or not you are having any work done on your home. The hidden pollutants can be the reason for bronchial congestion, coughs that seem to have no viral cause, and random respiratory issues that are not responding to treatment or time. Some people find that a duct cleaning service is the solution to some of their health issues and make it a point to have their ducts cleaned at least once or twice a year.
Get Rid of Odors in Your Home
One of the biggest reasons to look into a duct cleaning service is because it can help you get rid of odors in your home that may seem to be hanging around. This is especially true if you have purchased a new home that has an odor you can’t seem to get out of it regardless of how many wallflowers you plug in or how many candles you light. Masking smells buried in your home will not work long-term because the origins of the smells have not been addressed.
Your air ducts can hang onto many of the chemicals and air molecules that hang behind after home renovation or mold growth. For instance, if you have painted your home and the smell continues to bother you, it may be because the fumes are trapped in your ductwork and continually getting circulated throughout your home. The same could be true of any strong cleaning agents that seem to be constantly hanging in the air in your home.
Other odors that a duct cleaning can help attack are stale odors such as mold or mildew. It doesn’t take much moisture for mildew to grow inside of your air ducts, and then once the mold spores form, they will continue to emit a stale odor that can really drive you crazy. People have cleaned every aspect of their home that they can see and grown quite frustrated when they call us for a duct cleaning service. Just because you cannot see something does not mean it doesn’t exist, but if you don’t consider your air ducts to be the cause of odors, then you will never get to the bottom of them.
Mold isn’t the only thing that can get trapped in your air ducts, and so can bacteria. Bacteria can grow on anything that is left behind in your air ducts, such as rodent droppings or even dead rodents that get trapped in your air ducts and are slowly rotting away. If it smells like something died in your air ducts, it may be time to consider the very real possibility that something did.
Boost the Energy Efficiency of Your HVAC Unit
Believe it or not, having your air ducts cleaned on a regular basis can actually help increase how well your HVAC unit works. Therefore, the low front costs of service might actually pay off in the long run, which is great news for anyone that is looking at the costs of a cleaning service and determining how much it is really worth it. If you like to save money on your utility bills, then it may be time to take a second look and schedule the service.
As part of the cleaning service, an HVAC technician removes all dirt and debris that gathers inside of ductwork. This debris can impede airflow through your air ducts forcing your HVAC system to work twice as hard to move the same amount of air throughout your home. The more your HVAC system has to cycle to push air through your home the more energy it will consume. This can quickly start to drive up your monthly utility bills, especially in a place like Texas where your AC unit is on practically non stop during the summer months.
While this can be an issue, it has a very simple solution. Clean out the dirt and debris and the air will once again travel freely throughout your ductwork. This will help keep your home and your HVAC unit clean and debris-free. You might be surprised to learn that you will be able to change your air filters less often as well once your ducts are clean because there won’t be so much dirt circulating throughout the air on a regular basis. This means there will be much less dirt getting caught in the filter. Saving a bit on filter changes is a nice little bonus of keeping your ductwork clean.
Dust Your Home Less Frequently
If you are sick of dusting your home all of the time, then you might just want to book a duct service so that you can get dust out of your home once and for all. In fact, one of the top signs that it may be time for a duct cleaning is if you constantly clean your home and it still seems like there is a layer of dust over almost everything you own. This is because the dust that is hidden in your air ducts just keeps getting blown out as air circulates your home.
The bad news is that the dust is on more than just your picture frames and your end tables. While that may be where you see it and constantly fight with it, the dust is probably also on your bedding, your clothes, and even your kitchen counters. When you think about that fact, it is worth it to get those particles out of your home so that you can restore the cleanliness of your home. Dusting on a regular basis will do nothing to combat the problem if the dust is still sitting in a fine layer inside your air ducts.
While this can happen in any home, it seems to be the largest problem in homes that have small children that come in the home muddy or people who work outdoors as part of their career descriptions. The more dust and mud you bring in your home, the more are able to settle into your air ducts. Luckily, this doesn’t have to be a major issue since it can be solved with a simple cleaning service.
Get Rid of Smoky Odors
Another great benefit that most people forget about is that a duct cleaning service can be the key to removing smoky odors in your home. A lot of people constantly fight with smoky odors long after they quit smoking. You can wash everything you own and clean all of the surfaces in your home and still smell the smoky odor throughout your home. Painting the walls and tearing down wallpaper can help, but it can still be smoky even after all this work. It is enough to drive most people crazy, but the solution might be lurking under your feet.
Many times the problem is that the smoke has settled into the ducts within the home, and if you are not cleaning out these then it will stay there and continue to circulate when the air blows. Regardless of how much you clean, if the smoke odors are in your air ducts you will still smell them long after you quit. People who purchase a new home where there was a smoker often also battle this problem. However, if you have your ductwork cleaned, you can get rid of that smoky smell once and for all so you can finally enjoy the fresh smell of your home.
Are you worried about the condition of your home air ducts? Call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth to schedule a cleaning service.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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HVAC Issues? Hire A Professional In Heating And AC Repair
There are many states in the US where the summers and hot and winters are cold, including Texas. Summer temperatures reach 90 degrees or higher, and you need a functioning air conditioner to keep your home cool. It can reach 120 degrees in your house on a 90-degree day without air conditioning, which is dangerously hot, putting your family at risk for heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Winter days are relatively mild, but you’ll still need your furnace to keep your house warm. The furnace is even more essential at night when the temperature drops considerably. If the furnace isn’t working, it can get just as cold inside as outside, and dressing in layers won’t help much.
If your HVAC system experiences any of the following problems, call a heating and AC repair professional.
The Furnace Isn’t Heating the House
Your furnace should produce heat to keep your home warm when it’s cold outside. If the unit isn’t producing heat, you may need to hire a repair professional. You should use the thermostat and air filter before making the call to avoid an unnecessary service call.
There are three things to check on the thermostat, and ask yourself the following questions:
- Is it set to the heating mode:?
- Is the fan set to AUTO?
- Is it cooler in the house than the thermostat setting?
If you said no to any of these, adjusting the thermostat should solve the problem. Next, check the air filter. If it’s covered in dirt and grime, air won’t move through the unit, causing it to overheat and shut down, and replacing the filter will solve the problem.
If the lack of heat isn’t caused by the thermostat or the air filter, it’s time to hire a repair professional. A few issues can prevent the furnace from producing heat, including;
- Pilot issues: The pilot must remain lit to activate the burner, and if it keeps going out, the unit will produce cold air. A repair tech can inspect the pilot to determine why it keeps going out and fix it to restore the heat in your house.
- Dirty flame detector: Newer furnaces don’t have pilot lights and have flame detectors. If it’s covered in dirt and grime, the furnace will lose heat quickly and won’t heat your house. An HVAC tech can clean and sanitize the flame detector to restore the heat in your home.
- A clog in the condensate line: Most newer furnaces have a condensate hose that helps eliminate moisture in the unit. If the line clogs, it will deactivate the burners, causing the unit to produce cold air. An HVAC tech can unclog the condensate line, restoring the heat.
Furnace issues should be addressed immediately because your home will get very cold, and it’s best to hire a heating and AC repair professional. The sooner you make the call, the sooner your home will be warm and comfortable.
The Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling the House
Your air conditioner is essential when it’s hot outside, as it keeps your home cool and eliminates humidity from the air. If the unit fails to produce cold air, you may need to call a repair professional.
You should check the thermostat before making the call and ask yourself the following questions:
- Is it set to the heating mode?
- Is the fan set to AUTO?
- Is it warmer in the house than the thermostat setting:?
If you said no to any of these questions, you can adjust the thermostat and solve the problem. Next, make sure the air filter isn’t covered in dirt and grime. This will prevent air from flowing through the unit, causing it to shut down and produce warm air. If there are no issues with the thermostat or filter, it’s time to hire a heating and AC repair professional. A few problems can prevent the unit from producing cold air, and you’ll need an HVAC tech to make a diagnosis.
- Refrigerant leak: Formic acid can eat away at the copper piping over time and create tiny pinholes allowing the refrigerant to leak. If there isn’t enough refrigerant in the unit, it won’t be able to produce cold air, and you should call an HVAC tech. They can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant if the unit was installed after 2010. However, they won’t waste time fixing the leak if the unit was installed before 2010 because they won’t have the necessary refrigerant. Older units use R-22, which is toxic and harmful to the ozone layer, so it was banned in the US on January 1, 2020. Since the tech can’t get the necessary refrigerant, replacing the unit is your only option.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils extract heat and humidity from the air to start the cooling process. A few problems can cause the coils to freeze, such as a clogged or dirty air filter, a clogged condensate line, or a dirty evaporator coil. The coils can also freeze if the unit runs when it’s too cold outside. Frozen evaporator coils will prevent the cooling process from starting, and you’ll need a repair tech to restore the cold air. They’ll thaw the coils and figure out why they froze to prevent it from happening again.
- Faulty compressor: The indoor AC unit and outdoor compressor work together to keep your home cool. A problem with the compressor will prevent the unit from producing cold air, and you will need help from a heating and AC repair tech. They will inspect the compressor to figure out why it isn’t working and fix it to restore the cold air.
It’s impossible to ignore problems with an air conditioner because your home will get very hot, making it impossible to stay comfortable. If you feel warm air coming from the vents when the unit runs, it’s best to hire an HVAC professional immediately.
Strange Smells When the HVAC System Runs
Your HVAC system shouldn’t create an odor when it runs, and if you smell a foul odor, it’s best to call a repair tech immediately. It’s normal to smell dust when you turn on the air conditioner or furnace for the first time during the heating or cooling season, and the odor will dissipate within a few minutes. Any other odor should be addressed immediately because the problem causing the smell can put your home and family at risk.
- Rotten eggs: If your house smells like rotten eggs when the furnace runs, turn it off immediately, get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible, and call 911. The smell indicates a gas leak that can cause an explosion, and the fire department will cut the gas to your house to prevent this from happening. They will air out the house to ensure it’s safe to go back inside, but they can’t restore the gas until you hire an HVAC tech. They will fix the gas leak, so it’s safe to turn the gas back on and run the furnace.
- Mold: A moldy smell indicates the presence of mold in the HVAC system, and there are a few places it can grow, and the air ducts are the most common. The air ducts are dark, and humidity will create condensation, which is the perfect environment for mold growth. The smell is the least of your problems if the mold is in the ducts. Mold will circulate when the furnace and air conditioner run, exposing your family to mold. Mold exposure causes various health problems, such as burning eyes, allergies, skin rashes, weakened immune system, and respiratory issues. If a family member has a chronic lung or respiratory condition, mold exposure will worsen the symptoms and condition. An HVAC professional will check the ducts for mold, which can be eliminated easily with an antimicrobial fogger. If the mold isn’t in the ducts, it could be in the air conditioner and is more challenging to eliminate. If the tech can eliminate the mold, you should consider installing a UV lamp to prevent future growth. The unit must be replaced if they cannot eradicate every mold spore.
- Burning; If you smell something burning when the air conditioner or furnace runs, turn the unit off immediately and hire a heating and AC repair professional. The smell is caused by burning wire insulation and can start an electrical fire if not addressed immediately. Fortunately, a repair tech can find and replace the faulty wire before a disaster occurs.
Your HVAC system should never produce an odor; if it does, you should hire a repair professional soon to ensure your home and family are safe.
Reduced Airflow from the Vents
Adequate airflow is essential for your house to remain comfortable, and you should feel an intense rush of warm or cold air from the vents when the heater or furnace runs. If there’s minimal airflow, you should call a repair tech.
Poor airflow will affect your home’s temperature, and the HVAC system must work harder to keep your home comfortable. The unit will consume more energy when it works harder, causing your electric bills to increase significantly. Also, the extra work will strain the unit and decrease its lifespan, requiring a replacement sooner than expected.
A few issues can cause minimal airflow, including:
- Damaged air ducts: A crack, break, or failed sealant will allow the heated or cool air to escape from the ducts before reaching the vent, resulting in minimal airflow. An HVAC tech can inspect the ducts to find and fix the damaged area to restore sufficient airflow.
- Clogged air ducts: The air ducts allow the heated or cool air to travel from the unit to the vents, and a clog will cause insufficient airflow. Regardless of how clean you keep your house, dirt and dust will accumulate in the ducts, and when a significant amount of debris builds up, the duct will clog. Insufficient airflow isn’t the only issue when the air ducts clog, and your home’s air quality will be affected. The force of the air from the air conditioner or heater will allow the dust, dirt, and debris to circulate in the air, and your family could develop allergy symptoms. A heating and AC repair professional can clean the debris from the ducts to restore the airflow and improve your home’s air quality.
- Broken blower: Your HVAC system has a blower designed to force the warm or cold air to the vents so it doesn’t remain stagnant in the ducts. You won’t feel an intense rush of cold air if the blower is broken, and you should call a heating and AC repair tech. They will check the blower to see if it can be fixed or if a replacement is necessary to restore adequate airflow.
Reduced airflow can affect your health, bank account, and your HVAC system’s lifespan, so it’s best to hire a professional in repair as soon as possible.
Call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth
If you need to hire a heating and AC repair tech, look no further than One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth. We’re a full-service HVAC company that has been providing superior service to our customers since 1988.
Our techs are highly trained, and their knowledge and skill have allowed them to handle some of the most challenging jobs in the plumbing industry, and they’re available 24/7 for emergency service.
If you need an appointment for heating and AC repair, give us a call today.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
Photo By Dima Berlin at istock
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