Air Conditioning Repair: 7 Signs Your HVAC System Needs Repaired | Fort Worth, TX
Photo By Serenethos at istock
If you are like most Fort Worth, TX homeowners, you attempt to avoid HVAC system repairs. No one likes to call a home repair service, because it is costly and involves someone coming into your home. Most homeowners are private and prefer to keep people out of their homes, especially during the current pandemic. However, there are times when air conditioning repair is necessary, and it is best not to ignore the signs.
It is not a good idea to ignore AC problems, because doing so could lead to even more costly repairs because of additional damage. Even worse, ignoring the need for repair could cause your entire system to break down. At this point, you may be left without AC and facing replacement. When you think about that, shelling out some money for air conditioning repair starts to sound a little better.
It is simply best to seek out air conditioning repair as soon as you know you need it. But how can you tell that your AC needs some attention? Here are the most common signs that you need air conditioning repair in Fort Worth, TX. If you notice any of these signs then give us a call so we can send someone out for repair and get things back on track before any further damage is done.
Warm Air Is Coming Out of Your Vents
Fort Worth, TX is known for its high temperatures, so the last thing you need is warm air blowing out of your vents. However, if something is wrong with your HVAC system one of the first signs may be that warm air is blowing through instead of chilled air. Usually, this indicates that something is wrong with the compressor, but it could also mean that your AC needs more refrigerant. A simple check from an air conditioning repair service company is all it takes to get to the bottom of the situation.
There are a few more problems that could also be causing warm air to blow through instead of cool air, and that is why you need someone to physically take a look and troubleshoot your issues. For instance, it is possible that there may be an issue with your ductwork that is allowing air to seep in from your attic or outdoors instead of the compressor. In this case, your HVAC system may be trying to blow cold air throughout your home but warm air is seeping in along with it comprising its efforts.
Air Isn’t Blowing at All
This is one of the most common reasons that people call for air conditioning repair. If you do not notice any air at all moving out of your vents even when the HVAC system is on then you know you have a problem. Sometimes the air is coming out, but it is so weak that the air does not forcibly circulate in the room which means that temperatures never really lower.
In most situations, you know how much air usually blows out of your air vents. Most people have stood near enough to their home vents to know what they should expect. If you notice that the air is not properly blowing out of your vents or rooms are not cooling at all then there is a definite problem that needs to be carefully investigated. Once again, the problem is most likely with the compressor or with your air ducts, but if you call an air conditioning repair company then an HVAC tech can quickly get to the bottom of the issues. It is really important to understand what is causing the low airflow so that the problem is correctly fixed the first time around.
Your HVAC System Is Making Odd Noises
Believe it or not, if your HVAC system is making odd noises then it is talking to you. It may not be able to tell you that it is having problems, but the noises it is making are indications of issues that require air conditioning repair. Outside of a gentle, almost unnoticeable hum, your HVAC system should not make any noises. If you start to hear noises while the system is running then you need to call your HVAC technician right away for air conditioning repair. Keep in mind that you may hear some of these noises while inside of your home, and you may hear some of these noises from the outside of your home when you are near the unit.
Clicking Noises
Once again, your outdoor unit should not make noise outside of the normal gentle hum. If you hear a clicking from inside of it this could indicate that there is an obstruction inside of the fan of the unit. You can usually troubleshoot this by inspecting the fan and removing any debris that may have fallen inside of your unit.
Metal Screeching or Grinding
Do you hear the screeching or grinding sound of metal rubbing on metal? Most of the time this sound comes from the outside unit and is caused by the fan motor bearings starting to wear out. If you hear this then some air conditioning repair work is going to need to be done, but replacing the fan is a lot cheaper solution than replacing your entire system.
Gurgling Noises
If it sounds like something is bubbling from inside of your HVAC system is probably not a bad idea to call for help with air conditioning repair. Oftentimes this just means that your condensate drain line is bubbling for one reason or another, however, sometimes gurgling can also mean that you have a leak in your refrigerant. This has the potential to cause a lot of issues and will eventually leave you without cool air. Thus, if you aren’t sure it is always best to have an air conditioning repair technician take a look.
Squealing Noises from the Indoor Unit
Does it sound like there is a rodent inside of your indoor unit? The good news is that there probably isn’t, the bad news is that the squealing noise probably means that you need a new fan belt. Oftentimes the noise will come and go which can give you false hope that whatever was happening resolved itself. However, the only way that a fan belt stops squealing is by breaking. AT this point you will not have any AC until a technician can get out to your home. If you start to hear squealing noises it is best to call and book an appointment with an air conditioning repair technician proactively. Even if the sound disappears they can check the fan belt and identify damage that can be corrected before your system dies out.
Hissing Noises
If you are walking by your HVAC system and hear a hissing noise coming from inside, the first thing you need to do is turn off your HVAC system. It should never hiss or scream in a high pitched tone. If you hear this then you need to call for air conditioning repair right away. It usually indicates that a high degree of pressure has built up in the system because of a faulty compressor and could result in an explosion. While your system should automatically shut off if this is the case, sometimes the automatic shut-off fails which is why you need to cut the power to the HVAC system and wait for a professional to check it out.
Odd Odors are Drifting out of Your AC Vents
You should never smell odors coming out of your AV vents, whether they are good odors or bad odors. In general, the air that comes out of your HVAC vents should be unscented and simply circulated air that travels around your home. If you start to notice unpleasant odors coming out your air vents then this is a surefire sign that you need to call someone for air conditioning repair.
Unpleasant odors can point to several issues, but they most commonly indicate the presence of mold contamination or electrical issues. Both of these issues can cause health problems for your family and need to be addressed right away. A musty smell usually points towards mold growing somewhere in the system. Every time your AC cycles the spores will get circulated around your home which can actually make everyone in your family sick. The other major issue is an electrical issue, and that can lead to a fire if left untreated. Sometimes you smell electrical burning which can indicate a writing or insulation issue.
You Keep Needing Help from an HVAC Technician
Does it seem like you are always calling for help with air conditioning repair? As a system ages, it is common for things to break down and need to be repaired, but if you are constantly calling for help then you may need to start thinking about a replacement system. Over time the costs of frequently repairing an old HVAC system can add up. You don’t want to keep putting money into an HVAC system that is failing you. If you notice any signs of air conditioning repair after already fixing your system this year, it may be time to talk to a technician about whether or not replacement is a viable option for you.
You Notice Moisture Around Your Indoor Unit
Does the floor look damp by your HVAC system? Sometimes you can notice a small amount of condensate around an HVAC unit, but if you start to see an odd color on the floor near the system or see a puddle on the floor then it’s time for air conditioning repair. There are multiple things that can leak, but the most serious leak is a refrigerant leak. Refrigerants are poisonous so you need to promptly take care of the tissue. Many times the leak is caused by a blocked drain line. Either way, a properly trained technician can take a closer look at the issue and act accordingly.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
Your home thermostat acts as the brain of the entire HVAC system. It tells your system when to turn on and how long to cycle based on its measurement of the air in your home. It is constantly revising its instructions and thinking for the system. However, sometimes your thermostat can go bad which results in your HVAC system running poorly. If you notice that your AC system is cycling for short periods of time or running all of the time without shutting off then there is a good chance that something is wrong with your thermostat.
The good news is that this air conditioning repair job is not as complicated. Replacing a thermostat is a fairly simple job and any HVAC technician would be glad to help you with it. These days there are a lot of smart thermostats that help you save money and reduce energy loss in your home. If you are considering buying a new thermostat you may want to inquire about one of these models.A great way to find out if your thermostat is correctly measuring the air is to place another thermometer by it to measure the current air temperature in a room. If the measurement is the same then the problem may be with your system, if the numbers are different there is a good chance you have a thermostat issue.
Have you noticed any of these signs in your home? These are just a few of the many signs that you need air condensing repair. As a general rule of thumb, if you notice anything out of the ordinary then it is a good idea to call an HVAC technician. You have a pretty good idea of what is normal in your home, so if something is sticking out to you there is a good chance there is a problem. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, TX has years of experience helping local customers with their HVAC system repair and we would be glad to come out to your home and check your system. Give us a call today if you are worried about any of the above signs.