Everything You Should Know About HVAC Maintenance: Insight from Your Trusted Fort Worth, TX Air Conditioning Service Professional
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Living in Fort Worth, TX, you know how brutal the summers can be. On an average summer day, the temperature outside can reach higher than 96 degrees. When it is this hot outside, you rely greatly on your air conditioner to remain comfortable in your home. The last thing you want to deal with is a complete air conditioner breakdown. Because summer is an HVAC tech’s busiest time of the year, it can be challenging to get to your home right away. This is why it is so important that you can recognize the signs that your air conditioner needs repair. It is also essential that you call for regular air conditioning service. Routine air conditioning maintenance and knowing how to detect problems are equally important.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs To Be Repaired
It is essential that you are able to detect issues with your air conditioner early. The sooner you are able to recognize that you need to call a professional in air conditioning service, the less damage the air conditioning system in your Fort Worth, TX, home will sustain.
#1 No Cold Air
When your air conditioner is running, the air should come out cold. If there is warm air coming from the vents, you should first check the thermostat. You want to make sure that the temperature on the thermostat is set lower than the temperature inside the house. You also want to make sure that the thermostat is set to the cooling mode. If everything checks out, you should call a professional to have your system inspected. The problem could be due to a faulty compressor or low airflow. These are issues that should only be handled by a professional. Your air conditioning system is complex, and for the system to work correctly, it needs to be calibrated correctly. Because of this, air conditioning repair should not be a DIY project.
#2 Insufficient Airflow From the Vents
When your air conditioning system is turned on, you should feel a powerful force of air coming from the vents. If you find that the airflow is not as powerful as it usually is, you should call a professional for air conditioning service. There are a few things that could be causing the problem. If there is dust and debris build up in the ducts, it can restrict the airflow coming from the vents. An HVAC can clean the ducts, which could resolve the issue. If the ducts are clean, the problem could be due to a broken air filter or even a broken motor. It would take an experienced HVAC professional to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repair.
#3 The System Cycles On and Off Frequently
It is not uncommon for the air conditioning system in your Fort Worth, TX home to cycle on and off. When it is really hot outside, it will cycle on and off more frequently. However, if your system is continuously cycling on and off, you should hire a professional to have your air conditioning system repaired. Your air conditioning system could need a simple tuneup to resolve the issue. The problem could be something more serious, and you may need to have the system replaced. It would take the knowledge and experience of a professional to figure out what is causing the constant cycling and come up with a way to fix it.
#4 High Humidity In the House
The air conditioning system in your Fort Worth, TX, home is designed to keep your home cool. It is also intended to remove the humidity from your home. This is important because humidity can make it feel 10 degrees warmer, and it can make things sticky in the house. If you find that your home is more humid than usual, you should call a professional for air conditioning service. The problem could be something simple, like the system needs to be re-calibrated. It could also be that the air conditioning system isn’t strong enough to remove the moisture in the home. If this is the case, the HVAC tech might suggest that you have a whole-house dehumidifier installed. When you call for an HVAC service, the tech will discuss all of your options with you.
#5 Leaks Around the Unit
There should never be any water leaking around the indoor or outdoor units. If there is, you should call a professional for air conditioning service immediately. The problem could be something simple like a loose, broken, or clogged hose. This is something that is an easy fix. The problem could be something more serious, like a refrigerant leak. This is something that needs to be addressed immediately. If you have an older system in your Fort Worth, TX home that requires R-22 refrigerant, things will be more complicated. This type of refrigerant is harmful to the environment, and it is toxic. Because of these reasons, the government has phased out R-22. Because it is no longer being produced, your HVAC tech might have trouble finding it. If they can, it is going to be very expensive. In cases like this, you may be better off replacing your air conditioning system with a more modern version that doesn’t require R-22 refrigerant.
#6 Foul Odors
When you turn on your air conditioning system for the first time during the cooling system, it is not uncommon to smell a musty smell. This is the dust burning off. After a few minutes, the smell should go away. If it doesn’t, you should call a professional for air conditioning service. There could be dust and debris built up in the ducts and is being spread throughout the home. If you smell a moldy smell, there could be mold and mildew built up inside the ducts or in the air conditioning system itself. A professional can perform a diagnostic test to determine if your system simply needs a tuneup or if a complete cleaning is necessary. The sooner you make the call for air conditioning service, the sooner the smell will subside, and the air will be safer for breathing.
#7 Strange Sounds
It is normal for your air conditioning system to make a low-level noise when it cycles on and off. It is also normal for the unit to make a low-level humming sound. If you hear any sounds other than these, you should call a professional for air conditioning service. If you hear a rattling sound or a buzzing sound, there could be a loose part inside the unit. If you hear a grinding sound or a whistling sound, the problem could be more serious. It would take the knowledge and experience of a licensed HVAC tech to figure out the cause of the strange sound and make the necessary repairs.
The Importance Of Regular HVAC Maintenance
It is important that you are able to recognize that there is a problem with your air conditioning system. It is equally as important that you schedule regular service appointments. There are several benefits to an annual air conditioning service.
#1 Keep Your Family Healthy
For you and your family to be healthy, you need to be able to breathe in clean air. If your air conditioner is clogged with mold, bacteria, dust, dirt, or pet dander, it can make the air quality poor. This can result in sneezing and coughing. If a member of your family has asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, the air conditioner clog can make the symptoms worse. When you have an annual air conditioning service performed, the air quality will be safer for your family to breathe.
#2 Reduce Your Energy Bills
If your air conditioning system isn’t running efficiently, it will need to work harder to keep your home at the desired temperature. The harder your system works, the more energy it will use. This will result in a higher than regular energy bill. During an annual air conditioning service, the HVAC tech will give the system a tune-up to ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible during the cooling season.
#3 Increase the Lifespan of the System
As mentioned above, when your air conditioning system isn’t running as effectively as it should, the system will need to work harder to keep your home at the desired temperature. When the system is working overtime, it will wear down faster than it should. This can significantly decrease the system’s lifespan. Because air conditioning systems are very expensive to replace, it is best to have an annual air conditioning service. When the system is maintained every year, it will increase its efficiency and lifespan.
#4 Prevent Serious Issues
During an annual air conditioning service, the HVAC tech will give the system a complete inspection. If they find any minor issues during the inspection, it will prevent major problems in the future. It is much better to fix something minor early on than experience a complete air conditioning breakdown during the hottest days of the year.
#5 Save Money
Sure, there will be a bill for your annual air conditioning service; however, it can save you money, in the long run, If you don’t have your air conditioner serviced regularly, it won’t run efficiently, which will cost you more money on your energy bills. Also, it will prevent a major breakdown, which could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair. The cost of the annual service is well worth the money.
#6 Warranty Compliant
If your air conditioning service is still under warranty, you should make annual air conditioning service a priority. Most manufacturers require homeowners to have their systems maintained every year to keep from voiding the warranty. It is better to pay the cost of the annual service than to pay to replace an air conditioning system that should be under warranty.
#7 Keep Your Home Clean and Smelling Great
During your annual air conditioning service, the tech will check your ducts. If there is a build-up of dust and debris, it will be cleaned out. This will prevent the dust and dirt from getting into the air, which will keep your furniture, floors, and other surfaces clean. If there is mold or mildew in the ducts, it will be removed, which will make your home smell cleaner and fresher.
If your air conditioning system is due to be serviced or if it is showing signs of an issue, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth, TX. We have been serving homeowners and business owners in Tarrant County since 1988. Many of our customers are repeat customers and have been relying on us for 20 years. We are the go-to HVAC company to so many people for many reasons. Our business is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Our HVAC techs are licensed and insured as well. Before we hire a tech, we check their credentials, they are drug tested, and a complete background check is done. This will give you peace of mind that the HVAC tech you allow in your house is highly skilled, knowledgeable, and someone you can trust. At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, we understand that heating and air conditioning issues can arise at any time. This is why we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your HVAC system acts up during the night or on a holiday, we have you covered. To set up an appointment for your annual air conditioning maintenance or to schedule a service call, give us a call today. Our professional and friendly customer service rep will set up an appointment that is convenient for you. Because your HVAC system is so important, you should make scheduling appointments with us a priority.