A Heating And AC Repair Can Prepare Your Home For Summer | Fort Worth, TX
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Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive and the most important appliances within your Fort Worth, TX home. It is not something that you want to ignore, because you will pay for it in more ways than one. There is nothing worse than sitting in a pressure breaker under the hot Texan summer because your HVAC system failed in the heat of summer. It doesn’t have to be this way if you keep on top of your HVAC system. Knowing when to seek out the help of a professional heating and AC repair company in Fort Worth, TX is half of the battle.
Usually, your HVAC system does not die without advance warning. In most cases, there are warning signs that it may be time for heating and AC repair, and if you know them you can call and schedule a time for a tech to come into your home before your system completely breaks down. This can save you the costs of an emergency visit and save you from waiting a week or more for a replacement part during the heat of the summer. The following are some of the top signs that you need heating and AC repair in Fort Worth, TX.
Take some time to read over the list and familiarize yourself with them so you know when to take action. If you happen to notice any of these signs make sure that you call a heating and AC repair company right away. Keep in mind that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and there may be other signs that your HVAC system is not functioning correctly, so if you notice that your HVAC system is operating oddly then you should not refrain from speaking to someone at an HVAC company. Anything that is out of the ordinary should be investigated.
Warm Air Coming Out of Heating Vents in the Summer
It is never a good sign if your HVAC system is blowing out warm air in the summer when it is supposed to be blowing out cool air. However, before jumping to heating and AC repair first check your thermostat. Sometimes your thermostat can get bumped or something small like a required battery change can be behind the situation. Take a close look and make sure that your setting is switched to cooling and not just fan. If this is not the case, check the temperature on your thermostat and make sure it is accurate. Attempt to change the setting to a lower degree and see if it forces the air to change to cold air.
If all of these things check out, then it is time to take a closer look at heating and AC repair. While there could still be an issue with your thermostat wiring, at this point it is complex enough that you need to allow a professional to handle the repair. More times than not, however, at this point you probably have an issue with either restricted airflow or your compressor. These are jobs that should only be handled by a professional so make the call sooner than later so you can get back to a comfortable temperature in your home.
Reduced Airflow
Maybe your AC is blowing cold air, but you can tell that it is not enough cold air. If you notice reduced airflow coming out of your air ducts compared to what would normally pass through then you have a problem. Oftentimes it is the kids that notice this problem first since kids have a habit of hanging around the vents when they are on. Regardless of who notices it, the air isn’t properly moving through your ductwork system you have an issue that needs to be addressed.
Some common reasons why your AC may not be able to properly cool your home are a clogged air filter, broken motor, or a problem with your air duct system. If you haven’t changed your air filter, you can try to do this to see if it solves the problem. The average home needs its air filter changed once every three to five months. Depending on the amount of traffic in your home and/or the presence of pets you may need to change your filter more frequently.
If this doesn’t work then it is time for heating and AC repair. You probably have a larger issue that needs to be addressed by a professional technician. A broken motor or other issue needs to be immediately fixed before more damage is done to your system. Ideally, you can catch the problem while it is still minor so that your HVAC system can be repaired and you aren’t stuck staring down the barrel of HVAC replacement. A professional HVAC company can also offer comprehensive duct cleaning services if they suspect that the issue may be related to blocked or clogged ducts. This is always a possibility in older homes or homes that have never had their ducts cleaned.
Sometimes if poor airflow is a continual problem then your heat and AC repair technician may recommend an energy-recovery ventilator. This can help boost the power of your AC by cycling out stale air with fresh air boosting the results. Zoning systems are another way to address this problem. The bottom line is you want your AC to work as efficiently as possible because compromised airflow means it will have to run more often to cool your home which means higher energy bills unless you address the problem with heating and AC repair.
Cycling Constantly
Speaking of running frequently, this itself is a sign that you need heating and AC repair if you happen to notice that it seems like your AC is always on. While your AC may have to run more than usual in the thick of a Fort Worth, TX summer to combat the high temperatures outside, it should not be running around the clock. Most HVAC systems have a predictable cooling cycle that is independent of the weather. If you start to notice that rhythm is getting out of whack or your AC is constantly turning on and off throughout the day this is a major sign that it is time for heating and AC repair.
A lot of times simple heating and AC repair tune-up visit is all it takes to put an end to constant cycling. This is one reason why it is recommended that you should book an HVAC maintenance visit once a year because you can get ahead of a lot of these troubles.
However, sometimes constant cycling may indicate that your HVAC system is starting to wear out and it is time to think about replacing your machine. This is a discussion that you will want to have with your heating and AC repair so you can get individualized advice. No one wants to install a new AC system, but if you are sinking money into your unit constantly for repair then it may not make sense not to. The age of your AC system and its problems will weigh heavily into the final decision which is why it is always better to discuss your individual situation with a professional.
It’s Humid Inside Your Home
While you can expect to be hot and sticky outside in the Fort, Worth, TX sun, you should not feel hot and sticky while sitting inside of your home. If you are noticing humidity issues rising inside of your home then you have one of two problems: an HVAC issue that requires heating and AC repair or an insulation issue. You probably know if you have insulation issues, which usually consists of drafts and large pockets of air that are able to get inside of your home. Generally, when insulation issues are the cause of high humidity levels you notice the humidity more on the higher levels of your home.
If you notice high humidity on lower levels as well then this points more towards an issue with your cooling system and you should call your local technician for heating and AC repair. Sometimes all it takes is a simple re-calibration of your HVAC system to get your home comfortable once again. Other times we might recommend a dehumidifier for your home instead.
Leaks Near Your AC
Leaks near your AC system are always a concern and should always demand a call for heating and AC repair. There is never any reason why there should be enough water to form a noticeable damp spot on the floor or any other sign of a lea. While your AC may have some condensation on it, there should never be enough that it can accumulate into a full-fledge leak.
If you notice any pooled water near your AC or an actual leak this is a sign that something is seriously wrong. It doesn’t take long for a leak to damage your home because water damage occurs much faster than a lot of people think. In addition, the leak may possibly be refrigerant which is a highly toxic liquid that is heavily controlled. You need a certified technician to address this issue and quickly. In the meantime, make sure that you keep all children and animals out of the basement or utility closet until the HVAC technician arrives at your home.
Your AC Stinks
Nothing is worse than noticing stinky smells throughout the house unless you realize that the stinky odors are coming from your air ducts. Your AC should never stink, if you think that the smell is coming from the air ducts then you need to deal with the issue. A lot of time air starts to smell stale or musty when there is mold growth in your AC. However, a simple tuneup from a heating and AC repair trick should be able to solve this problem.
Cleaning out your AC system and checking it for obvious issues is a great way to ensure that it is clean and only blowing fresh and clean air throughout your home. Many HVAC technicians use UV lamps that destroy microbial growth to clean out AC systems thoroughly. If there is reason to suspect that the mold growth is inside of your ductwork, they may recommend a duct cleaning service to refresh the air in your home.
Don’t attempt to just cover up the bad smell with room fresheners, because the smell is an indication that unhealthy particles are floating in the air. Instead of trying to hide them, you need to address the problem so that it is safe for you and your family to breathe the air in your home.
Odd Noises from Your HVAC System
Finally, there is no noise that is acceptable to hear from your HVAC system. Outside of initially hearing it turn on and off during a cycle, you should never noise. If you hear a buzzing or rattling noise this most likely points towards a loose part while grinding or whistling may mean that there is a problem with your compressor or motor. It doesn’t matter what noise you hear, if you notice that your AC is making an odd noise it is time to call for heating and AC repair in Fort Worth, TX.
A professional tune-up is all that is necessary to fix most problems, but sometimes a much larger solution is necessary. This is not something you want to play around with since most noises indicate a problem that will only grow larger if you don’t get help right away. If you notice any of the above signs or any other sign that indicates your HVAC system is struggling, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, TX is here for you. We will gladly send out your heating and AC repair team to check out your system and offer you solutions that work. Give us a call today and we can discuss the issues you are experiencing.