6 Signs It’s Time To Call An Air Conditioning Repair Service | Frisco, TX
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In Frisco, TX, summers are very hot. It is not uncommon for the temperature to reach 96 degrees on an average day, making it uncomfortable to spend time outdoors. If you are like most people, you spend more time in your home than outdoors during the summer to escape the heat. This is a perfect plan as long as your air conditioner is running correctly. And now that we’re into the fall and your air conditioner has been running all summer your AC may need some maintenance to prevent it from escalating to a significant problem that could be expensive to repair.
If the air conditioner in your Frisco, TX home is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to call an air conditioning repair company as quickly as possible.
#1 The System Is Producing Warm Air
When your air conditioner is running, you expect to feel cold air coming from the vents. If the air is warm, you may need to call an air conditioning repair company. There are a few things you should check before making the call to avoid an unnecessary service charge.
Human error is a common cause of this problem. If your thermostat isn’t set correctly, your system won’t produce cold air. First, make sure the system is set to the cooling mode and the fan is on. If it isn’t, your system won’t pump out cold air. Next, check the temperature setting. Your system won’t produce cold air if it is cooler in your home than the setting on the thermostat.
If the thermostat is set correctly, it is time to call a professional. There are several issues that can prevent your air conditioner from producing cold air, and you will need an air conditioning repair company to figure out what is causing the problem.
- Dirty air filter: A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of this problem. If the air filter is dirty, the air won’t move through the system the way it should, which can put added strain on your air conditioner, causing it to produce warm air.
- Frozen evaporator coil: The evaporator is essential for your air conditioner to function correctly. The evaporator coil extracts the heat from your home to start the cooling process. When moisture collects on the coil, it can freeze and cannot do its job.
- No electricity to the outdoor unit: If the power to the outdoor unit has been interrupted, your system won’t produce cold air.
- Low refrigerant level: Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to keep your home cool. If your system is low on refrigerant, it will be difficult for the system to produce cold air.
- Refrigerant leak: A refrigerant leak will often cause all the refrigerant in the system to leak out. When there is no refrigerant in the system, it won’t produce cold air.
- Failing compressor: The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning system. When the compressor fails, the air conditioner will fail and won’t produce cold air.
It is best to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair as soon as the problem starts. The sooner you make the call, the sooner your home will be cool.
#2 Weak Airflow
The air ducts in your Frisco, TX home deliver the cold air produced by your air conditioner to the vents throughout your home.
When you stand in front of the vents when your air conditioner is running, you should feel a constant rush of cold air. If there is minimal airflow, you will need to call an air conditioning repair company.
Inadequate airflow will make it difficult for your home to reach the desired temperature. Your system will need to work harder to keep your home cool, which can cause a significant increase in your energy bill. In addition, this extra work will put excess strain on your air conditioner and reduce the system’s lifespan.
A few issues can cause poor airflow, and you will need an air conditioning service to determine the cause.
- Clogged air ducts: Clogged air ducts are the most common cause of poor airflow. Regardless of how clean you keep your home, dirt, dust, and other debris can clog the air ducts, reducing the airflow. This is an easy fix, but ignoring it will cause more problems. When your air conditioner is running, the debris in the air ducts will circulate through the air your family breathes and can cause allergy symptoms.
- Damaged air ducts: If there is a crack or break in the air ducts, the cold air will escape before it reaches the vents, resulting in weak airflow.
- Broken blower: The blower is responsible for forcing the cool air from the system to the vents. If the blower is broken, you won’t have adequate airflow from the vents, and your home won’t be as cool as you would like it to be.
Weak airflow is not an issue that should be ignored. Until you have the problem fixed, your home won’t be cool and comfortable. It is best to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair as soon as possible.
#3 Strange Smells When the System Is Running
If the air conditioner in your Frisco, TX home is functioning correctly, it should produce odorless cold air. If you smell something strange when your system is running, you will need to call an air conditioning repair company. The smell can help the HVAC tech determine the cause of the problem.
- Mold: A moldy smell often occurs when there is mold in the air ducts. The air ducts are dark and damp, making them prone to mold growth. Mold in the ducts is a serious issue because mold spores will circulate through the air when the system is running. Breathing in mold is harmful to your health and can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues, and can weaken your immune system. If a member of your household has a chronic lung or respiratory issue, breathing in mold can make them sicker; therefore, you should call an air conditioning service right away.
- The HVAC tech will inspect your air ducts for the presence of mold. If they find any, it is relatively easy to eradicate the problem. The tech can use an antimicrobial fogger to remove the mold and prevent it from recurring.
If the tech doesn’t find mold in the air ducts, it could be in the system itself. This is a more serious issue. It can be difficult to remove mold from an air conditioner. If the tech cannot reach the mold, you will need to replace your air conditioner.
- Burning: If you smell something burning when your air conditioner is running, it is a major cause for concern. You should turn off the system right away and call an air conditioning company. The smell is likely due to an electrical issue, and if you ignore the problem, it can spark an electrical fire which can quickly damage or destroy your home while putting your family at significant risk.
#4 Moisture and Leaks
The area around the air conditioner in your Frisco, TX home should be dry. If there is moisture or fluid pooling around the unit, you should call an emergency air conditioning repair service.
Moisture in the area often indicates a broken or disconnected condensate hose. This is a relatively easy fix and should not be ignored. Allowing the problem to persist can result in water damage or mold growth around the unit, which will increase the total cost of the repair exponentially. If you schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair to prevent any additional damage.
If there is fluid pooling around the unit, you have a much more serious problem on your hands. The fluid is likely refrigerant leaking from the system, and refrigerant is harmful to humans.
If your air conditioner is under ten years old, the HVAC tech can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant. However, if your system is older than ten years old, you may need to replace your air conditioner.
Older air conditioners use R-22 refrigerant. The Environmental Protection Agency deemed R-22 toxic and harmful to the environment. On January 2, 2020, the United States government banned the production of R-22. If you have a refrigerant leak, an air conditioning repair service could repair the leak, but they won’t be able to get R-22 refrigerant to refill the system, and you will need to replace it.
#5 Strange Sounds
The great thing about central air conditioning systems is that they are very quiet when they run. Window units are often much louder. The most sound your air conditioner should make is a low-level clicking sound when the system cycles. If you hear anything other than a quiet clicking, you should call an air conditioning repair service to inspect the system to figure out why your system is making noise. The sound your system is making can help the tech determine what is wrong.
- Banging: Banging often signifies a loose or broken part in the compressor. It could also mean that the compressor needs to be replaced.
- Buzzing: A buzzing sound could mean there is a loose part, debris in the unit, the fan blades are out of balance, or the air filter or evaporator coil is dirty.
- Squealing: A squealing sound often indicates that the indoor or outdoor fan motor is failing.
- High-pitched screaming: A high-pitched screaming sound indicates high internal pressure in the compressor that can be very dangerous. As soon as you hear this noise, it’s imperative to turn off the system and call an emergency air conditioning repair company.
Ignoring the issue is not a good idea. The longer the problem persists, the more damage can occur. It is best to call an air conditioning repair service as quickly as possible.
#6 Broken Thermostat
The thermostat in your Frisco, TX home is your HVAC system’s brain. The thermostat tells the system what you want it to do. For example, the thermostat tells the system to produce warm air or cold and tells the system the temperature you want your home to be. If your thermostat isn’t functioning correctly, your heater and air conditioner won’t either, which is why you should call an air conditioning repair service if you think your thermostat is broken.
If your thermostat is broken, it will exhibit one or more of the following signs:
- The thermostat is unresponsive, even after you change the batteries.
- Your system is constantly cycling.
- The temperature in the home doesn’t match the temperature setting on the thermostat.
- Your system won’t turn on at all.
If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, you should call an air conditioning repair service. A tech will come to your home to check the thermostat. If the tech determines the thermostat needs to be replaced, you should talk to them about your options.
Thermostat technology has improved over the years, and there are options today that can help save money on your cooling costs. Programmable thermostats, Wi-Fi thermostats, and smart thermostats are all excellent options. The tech from the air conditioning repair service can go over the pros and cons of each thermostat so you can make a more informed decision.
Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Dallas?
If your air conditioner isn’t working correctly and you want to work with the best air conditioning repair company in the area, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Dallas serving Frisco, TX.
We have been serving residential and commercial customers in the area since 1988, and many of our customers have been loyal customers for as many as 20 years.
When you work with our air conditioning repair service, you can be sure the repair will be done correctly the first time. Our techs are highly trained, skilled, and NATE certified. Before we hire anyone, they must pass a background check, drug test, and register with the state of Texas. This is our policy because we want our customers to feel safe when our techs enter their homes.
HVAC technology is constantly evolving, which is why we require our tech to receive ongoing training. We want to be sure they can fix the newest HVAC technology.
If you have an issue and we aren’t open, don’t panic. We offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your comfort is our primary goal, and we will send a tech to your home as quickly as possible.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair or any other HVAC service, give us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call today.