Air Conditioning Service: 10 Common Heating Problems And How To Fix Them Before the Winter | Fort Worth, TX
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One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating is an HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance company based in Fort Worth, TX, that has served the Tarrant County area for over three decades. Since 1988, the team has offered an unbeatable heating and air conditioning service to ensure your home or business remains at a comfortable temperature, whatever the weather.
Our company in Fort Worth, TX is a fully licensed, insured, and bonded air conditioning service that only employs contractors who are registered to carry out HVAC works in Texas and are NATE certified. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating is also a Factory-authorized dealer, so should you need a new system, our experienced team can skillfully install your HVAC to the manufacturers’ specifications.
Our heating and AC service also offers 24-hour emergency services. That way, you can rely on One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating to solve your air conditioning and heating emergencies regardless of the time of day. HVAC emergencies include refrigerant leaks, losing your air conditioning during a heatwave, gas leaks, losing your heating during a cold spell, and electrical control failure.
The Importance of Heating This Winter
After a long winter’s day, there’s nothing better than going home to a warm, cozy house. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If your heating system isn’t properly maintained or develops a problem, you could be left in the cold this winter. That’s why learning the most common heating problems and what to look out for is so important.
When you know the signs of a faulty heating system, you can call our heating and air conditioning service immediately so that the problem can be fixed, and you can enjoy a warm home this winter. Not only will our heating and air conditioning service help you stay comfortable, but it can also save you money. Unknowingly allowing issues to develop over long periods is a common cause of high energy bills and HVAC emergencies. So, by quickly nipping any issues in the bud, you could avoid hundreds of dollars worth of damage.
Some of the most common heating issues include a noisy system, broken thermostats, and dirty filters. Read this blog to find out what to look out for, what to do if your heating system develops a problem this winter, and how our heating and air conditioning service can help you.
Broken Thermostat
Regardless of whether you have a smart or traditional thermostat, issues can still occur. When your thermostat breaks, it usually leads to an underperforming fan, which in turn results in comfort issues.
The cause of a broken thermostat can be as simple as a flat or faulty battery or incorrectly inputted settings, but it could also be the sign of a much more complicated glitch in the system. No matter the cause of your broken thermostat, it still needs to be repaired by a reputable HVAC expert like the contractors at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Fort Worth, TX. Employing an experienced professional to carry out the work ensures the safety of your system and that all your comfort issues are rectified.
To determine whether it is a broken thermostat causing the issues with your heating system, check whether the display is responsive, whether turning on the heating or air conditioning works, and if the heat and air conditioning stays on until the temperature setting is reached. If problems with any of these processes occur, it is an indication that your thermostat is broken and our heating and air conditioning service could help you.
Daily Wear and Tear
Unfortunately, unavoidable daily wear and tear are some of the leading causes of faulty heating systems, but our heating and air conditioning service can help limit the damage daily use causes. Simply using your HVAC system can cause damage to belts and bearings, so you can’t avoid wear and tear entirely. However, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of large, expensive malfunctions by having regular maintenance checks and taking good care of your system.
During the winter, home and business owners use their heating systems more than usual. Using your system frequently than usual increases daily wear and tear, and therefore the chance of damage occurring is higher. This is particularly common if you have an older system. To limit how much damage is caused by daily wear and tear, remember to inspect your system for signs of malfunction every three to six months and schedule regular system inspections.
Too Noisy
New loud noises are one of the most common signs that there is a problem with your heating system. If you can hear unexplained rattles or squeaking noises, it is a sure sign that you need your heating system inspected and fixed.
Common causes of noisy HVACs include clogged burners and reduced airflow, both of which will impact the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
If you notice your heating system is making a noise when running, schedule an inspection from a reliable heating and air conditioning service that can diagnose and solve the problem. The faster you fix a noisy heating system, the less likely it is that the problem will develop into an HVAC emergency.
Dirty Filters
Filters acquire debris and dirt over time, and if the filters aren’t changed regularly, this can lead to a clogged filter. Once your heating system’s filter becomes clogged with dirt, the airflow will be restricted, resulting in a less effective heating system, reduced indoor air quality, and an overworking machine.
HVAC filters become dirty and clogged for a variety of reasons, including dust and dander from your home and air pollution. The number of people who reside in your property and whether you have pets will also impact how quickly your HVAC filters become clogged.
To ensure that your machine works at optimum efficiency and does not overwork, you should change the air filters every one to two months. Our heating and air conditioning service can change your filters to prevent dirt from building up and clogging the system.
Leaking Ductwork
Leaking ductwork is a common heating system issue that often goes unnoticed because it’s usually an invisible issue. A leak in your ductwork not only reduces the effectiveness of your heating system but can be extremely costly to the bill payer.
To determine whether there’s a leak in your ductwork, feel for blowing air along the ductwork in your attic. You shouldn’t feel any blowing air, so if you can feel a breeze, it’s best to have your ductwork fixed by a heating and air conditioning service. Repairing leaking ductwork not only saves the bill payer money, but it will also improve your indoor air quality, increase backdraft protection, and improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Faulty Ignition Control
Modern heating systems usually have a hot surface ignition that glows when the machine is switched on and working. Although, if you have a working gas heater, your machine has a pilot light instead. Your pilot light or hot surface ignition should be visible, but if the light does not appear or is intermittent, it is a clear sign that your heating system is malfunctioning and you need help from a heating and air conditioning service.
Another indicator that there is a fault with your system’s ignition control is a machine that turns on but doesn’t produce heat or only produces heat intermittently.
If you notice your pilot light or ignition is not alight, and your system is not reliably producing heat, it is important to call a heating and air conditioning service like One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, TX.
Moldy Furnaces
A moldy furnace is a common but easily rectifiable heating system issue. Mold grows on your HVAC system when there is inadequate insulation or ductwork and can cause a musty odor to spread throughout your property when the system is switched on. This can be extremely unpleasant, negatively impacts your indoor air quality, and can even make the occupants of your property sick.
It is recommended that homeowners have their HVAC systems checked for mold and moisture build-up one to two times a year. Regular check-ups and ductwork maintenance from our heating and air conditioning service will prevent mold build-up. However, mold can grow in as little as 48 hours, so if you notice a smell before your yearly maintenance, call an experienced contractor.
No or Low Fuel
Gas, electric, and oil furnaces all need fuel to work. Therefore, if your system is low on fuel, it won’t be able to perform at an optimal level. Not only can this cause your system to overrun, resulting in higher energy bills, but it can also cause cold air and odors.
Once your HVAC system runs out of fuel entirely, the system will stop working. While your system can still run with low fuel, it is inadvisable to let the tank get too low. Sediment and impurities often settle at the bottom of fuel tanks. Therefore, when the fuel runs low, the sediment and impurities feed into the line and can clog the nozzle, preventing the system from working efficiently.
So, if you notice that your HVAC is not providing heat, or there is less heat than usual, it may be worth calling a heating and air conditioning service like One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Fort Worth, TX, to check your fuel level.
High Energy Bills
Your HVAC system should provide a comfortable temperature inside your property all year, without costing a fortune. It is normal for energy bills to increase marginally in the winter, but if you notice a considerable spike, it is recommended that you schedule an HVAC system inspection from a reputable heating and air conditioning service. High energy bills caused by overrunning HVAC systems are particularly common if you have a heat pump.
Sometimes, energy bill spikes are caused by minor problems such as a dirty air filter, which can be rectified quickly and easily. However, occasionally, high energy bills are a result of major issues such as a damaged compressor or a refrigerant leak. So, it is important that you call a dependable heating and air conditioning service to investigate any unexplained increases in your energy bills.
Lack of Maintenance
Lack of maintenance is arguably the most common cause of HVAC system malfunction and needing a heating or air conditioning service like One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating. While it is impossible to remove the risk of heating system faults, regular maintenance and inspections are the best ways to prevent complications. Without regular maintenance, your system will likely need premature repairs or replacements, and the comfort level in your home will be insufficient.
Despite its importance, with busy lives and other household tasks to take care of, maintaining and inspecting your HVAC system can be easily forgotten. While it is easily forgotten, maintaining your HVAC system is extremely important if you want to keep costs low and prevent heating and air conditioning emergencies.
It is always best to have your HVAC system inspected by a trained professional, so don’t hesitate to contact reliable contractors like those at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating if you think your HVAC system is overdue for an inspection.
Prevent or Rectify These Problems This Winter
Now you’re aware of the ten most common causes of heating problems it’s important to consider when to take action. If you want to prevent heating system failure and high energy bills this winter, call a heating and air conditioning service as soon as possible.
If you notice the issues mentioned in this article, such as a noisy heating system or leaking ductwork, the team at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, TX, can help you. Our skilled and certified contractors can carry out a heating and air conditioning service and perform regular maintenance checks to save you money.
To keep your property warm and cozy this winter, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating today on 817-835-6016.