Signs You Need An AC Repair Service | Euless, TX
Living in Texas means experiencing the sweltering heat of the summer months. During these times, your AC is your best friend. But how do you know your AC needs a little TLC? If you see any of the following warning signs, you likely need an AC repair service.
Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air
On a hot and muggy day, nothing is worse than turning on your air conditioner only to be met with warm air. There are several reasons your air conditioner is blowing warm/hot air instead of cold air. Most of these problems require the expertise of a trained AC repair professional.
Thermostat Issues
Have you double-checked the temperature setting on your thermostat? If it has been set to HEAT, change it to COOL and adjust the temperature to your liking. The fan setting on the thermostat can also make the air conditioner produce warm air. The fan will keep running regardless of whether or not a cooling cycle is active if the mode is set to ON rather than AUTO. Try changing the fan to automatic to see if that helps.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Insufficient refrigerant is a common reason why air conditioners produce warm air. Refrigerant is crucial to your unit’s continued efficiency. It’s the substance that pulls heat and moisture out of the air. If your AC is not producing cool air, it is possible that the refrigerant has leaked out, and the amount that is left is insufficient to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
Call an AC repair technician immediately if you think a leak is to blame for your air conditioner’s low refrigerant level. It’s critical to have a refrigerant leak repaired as soon as possible since it poses a risk to your health and safety.
Clogged Air Filter
Your home’s air filters protect you from breathing in harmful bacteria, viruses, and other airborne particles. Yet, even though they make the air in your home healthier and safer to breathe, they will get completely saturated with time. As the filters become clogged, it prevents the free movement of cold air throughout the home. Because of this, your home’s air conditioner will blow warm air because the evaporator coils will freeze. This is why routinely changing the filters in your AC is a crucial part of maintenance.
An AC unit with clean air filters will function efficiently for a longer period. Also, it might help you save money on your monthly energy bills. The filters should be cleaned or replaced –either by you or an AC repair technician – every three months or as needed.
Filthy Condenser Coils
The condenser unit in your HVAC system is crucial in removing excess heat from your house. The condenser coil handles this function. Because of its outdoor location, it may become covered in mud, filth, and debris like leaves. Eventually, that will obstruct the coils’ ability to function, rendering your cooling system ineffective and resulting in the AC blowing hot air.
The Outdoor Unit Has Lost Power
The evaporator/air handler unit is typically indoors, while the condensing unit is outdoors in many central air conditioning systems. Assuming the air handler operates normally, the fan should still deliver air to the room. But, if the condenser isn’t functioning properly, your air conditioner will only blow warm air.
This can happen if the power to your condenser unit suddenly goes out, either due to a blown fuse or a breaker trip. Call an AC repair technician if your outdoor unit keeps tripping the breaker. Unless you have extensive experience and training in the field, you should never attempt to diagnose electrical problems on your own.
The Evaporator Coils Are Frozen
Frozen evaporator coils can also cause the AC to blow warm air. These coils behave like sponges, soaking up excess heat from the air because they are filled with refrigerant. If the evaporator doesn’t get enough air, it freezes up because it’s too cold. When this happens, the air coming out of your vents will be heated, or there won’t be any air coming out. For the coils to do their job, heated air must be able to circulate freely around them.
A dirty air filter can cause a frozen evaporator coil. While you can change the filter on your own, the coils in your air conditioner will need to be serviced by an AC repair professional. Do not try to remove them, as they are fragile.
Clogged Condensate Line
A lot of moisture is released during the AC’s cooling process. The condensate line carries moisture, which usually empties from an outside wall. Due to damp conditions, buildups, such as mold or algae, are common in drain lines. If the pipe is blocked, your air conditioner won’t be able to remove humidity from the air, so it will blow warm air instead. If you suspect your condensate line is clogged, call an AC repair technician to unclog it and check the system for other issues.
Poor Airflow
Weak air circulation is akin to the warm air problem. When you switch on your air conditioner, you may feel a slight chill, but the airflow is so weak that it can’t possibly cool the entire room. There are several possible causes of this, including:
Blocked Vents
When troubleshooting HVAC airflow problems, beginning with the most elementary fixes is usually best. If the airflow is weak in a few rooms, check if the vents are open in those rooms. While the impact will be felt more keenly in certain rooms, closed vents can disrupt the airflow throughout your home, making it more difficult for your HVAC system to do its job.
Issues with the Ductwork
The ducts in your home provide cool air to all rooms. Tiny holes and cracks appear when ducts age, letting cooled air escape. Because of this, airflow in your home may be affected. If you suspect an issue with your ductwork, have an AC repair professional inspect it. Sometimes the problem can be fixed by having the ducts cleaned thoroughly.
Wear and Tear
Normal deterioration of your air conditioner over time will inevitably cause circulation problems. An AC repair technician can monitor the airflow through your system to identify the extent of the problem and whether a simple repair or a full replacement is the best course of action.
Blower Fan Malfunction
The HVAC component most directly responsible for airflow is the blower fan. When a blower fan is failing, it will often run more slowly than usual before finally giving up. If this is the reason for the inadequate airflow in your home, it could be because of the motor’s age, dust on the motor, or other malfunctioning parts like the capacitor.
Contact an AC repair professional to inspect the system and determine the best fix.
Oversized or Undersized Ductwork
Keeping the right static pressure in the ducts allows air to flow freely through the system and to its intended destination. When the ducts are too large, the air pressure drops, and the air never reaches its intended destination. Nevertheless, in most cases, the ducts are too small. This restricts airflow enough to prevent it from reaching its endpoint.
Unit Frequently Cycling On and Off
At the height of the cooling season, the last thing you want to hear is your air conditioner intermittently turning on and off. The following are some possible causes of short cycling in your home’s system.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
A filthy or frozen evaporator coil can cause AC short cycling. Evaporator coils are responsible for removing latent heat from your home; if they become dirty or frozen, your air conditioner may be unable to remove enough heat from the air and even short cycle.
Poor maintenance is usually the cause of frozen evaporator coils, which can be easily fixed. If the evaporator coils in your air conditioner look frozen or dusty, you contact an AC repair service.
Oversized AC Unit
An air conditioner that is too big for your house will probably overshoot the desired temperature, cycle off, and then turn back on as soon as the house starts to warm up. The only option is to get an appropriately sized new air conditioner for your home.
Refrigerant Leak
Low levels of refrigerant are another cause of AC short cycling. Refrigerant is what makes your air conditioner work. It takes warm air from the inside and vents it outside.
The charge, or specified level of refrigerant, should not change. If there is not enough refrigerant in the system, the air conditioning unit will have to work much harder, which will cause it to overheat and cycle on and off more frequently.
If the charge level is low, you should contact a qualified AC repair technician who can add more refrigerant and figure out what caused the charge level to drop.
Electrical Issues
Short cycling occurs when your air conditioner loses power briefly and then regains it. Several electrical faults, such as loose or corroded electrical connections, can cause a short cycle. Electrical problems are dangerous and should only be fixed by trained professionals; call an AC repair service immediately.
Higher Energy Bills
Take a look at your energy bills. If you notice that you are spending more money than usual to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, this could indicate that your AC is working harder than it should be.
Common causes of this include:
Outdated Unit
The air conditioner’s increased power consumption could be attributable to its advanced age. An older AC unit or system will not be as energy efficient as a newer one. If you want to save money on your energy bills, you may want to consider replacing your old air conditioner with a newer, more efficient model.
Leaking Duct
Due to its central role in delivering conditioned air throughout your home, ductwork is crucial to your AC’s overall performance. A duct leak affects the efficiency with which your system distributes air and satisfies your thermostat. The harder and longer your air conditioner has to work to meet the temperature set on the thermostat, the more energy it will use. So, you should contact an AC repair service to check and fix your air ducts.
Lack of Maintenance
Calling a professional to inspect your home’s HVAC system will help keep it running well and help prevent any unexpected malfunctions. Because the expert has the resources to assess the health of your system and its parts, this is also a great way to avoid unexpectedly high electricity costs.
The AC technician might suggest changing a capacitor or motor, installing a surge protector, duct sealing, or installing a programmable thermostat.
Unusual Sounds
Air conditioners make noises. You, as the homeowner, will get used to the sound of your air conditioner as it operates and cycles on and off. These are a few examples of unusual noises:
- Whistling
- Rattling
- Buzzing
- Grinding
These noises could suggest a loose part or some other mechanical problem. They can occasionally be fixed, but other times it’s more cost-effective to replace the appliance. A trained AC repair expert can help you weigh your options and make the best choice.
High Humidity Levels
Humidity is to be expected during the spring and summer months. However, that does not mean that you desire high humidity levels indoors. Your air conditioner should automatically regulate humidity levels.
Contact an AC repair firm if humidity levels in your home are constantly above what you consider “pleasant.” They’ll honestly assess the situation and advise you on the next steps, whether a simple re-calibration of your AC unit or installing a whole-house dehumidifier.
Unpleasant Odors
If you think the HVAC system is the source of unwanted scents, you should address the problem before it worsens. A brief diagnostic visit from an AC repair technician will reveal whether or not your air conditioner needs a tune-up and thorough cleaning or whether or not you need a more high-tech solution for your cooling system.
Take Action Now: Don’t Let a Broken AC Ruin Your Summer!
Air conditioners typically last between 10 and 15 years. If your AC unit is making funny noises, dripping water, or isn’t cooling your home like it used to, it may be time for a repair, and if the problem persists, a replacement. AC Repair can help you save money on your monthly utility costs.
Don’t put off contacting an AC repair service if you’ve noticed any of the above problems. If you’re having trouble with your air conditioning system, don’t worry—the reliable crew at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth is ready to help. Contact us immediately if you have any questions regarding our air conditioner repair services or want to schedule a visit to your house.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.