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6 Signs You Need To Hire A Professional In Air Conditioning Repair | Frisco, TX

6 Signs You Need To Hire A Professional In Air Conditioning Repair | Frisco, TX

If you’ve spent at least one summer in Frisco, TX, you know how hot it can get. On a typical day, it isn’t uncommon for the temperature outside to reach 90 degrees or higher, and many people spend more time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat. If your air conditioner isn’t functioning correctly or has broken down completely, the temperature in your house can reach 120 degrees on a 90-degree day, putting your family at risk for heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Some air conditioning problems are easy to detect because your home won’t be as cool and comfortable; however, some issues aren’t as easy to notice. It’s essential you know the problems to look for, so you can call a professional in air conditioning repair as quickly as possible.

DIY air conditioning repair isn’t recommended because it takes years of training to troubleshoot and repair air conditioner problems. Unless you’re a trained HVAC tech, hiring a professional is best.

If your air conditioner experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call an air conditioning repair company when the problem first begins.

#1 Broken Thermostat

If you don’t know what to look for, you might not realize there’s an issue with the thermostat. Many people mistake a broken thermostat with a broken air conditioner and worry about an expensive AC repair when replacing the thermostat will resolve the problem, which is often cheaper than an air conditioning repair.

The signs that indicate a broken thermostat include:

  • The thermostat doesn’t light up, and you’ve just replaced the batteries.
  • The thermostat is unresponsive.
  • The air conditioner cycles on and off too frequently.
  • The temperature in the house doesn’t match the temperature setting.

If your thermostat is broken and it’s time for a replacement, there are a few options to choose from, including:

  • Programmable: Programmable thermostats have been around for a while. You can set the thermostat for a whole week to turn the air conditioner down when nobody is home and up before you go home to ensure the house is cool and comfortable when you get home. The ability to set the thermostat to adjust automatically will reduce the cost of your energy bills.
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi thermostats have been around for a while now and are a great option if you don’t want to spend time every week programming the thermostat based on your schedule. Wi-Fi thermostats can be adjusted using the app on your cell phone, whether you’re home or not, as long as there’s an internet connection.
  • Smart: Smart thermostats are the latest thermostat technology and work with smart devices such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa. You can adjust a smart thermostat using the sound of your voice when you’re home and on the device’s app on your cell phone when you’re away.

If you aren’t sure which thermostat is best, an HVAC professional can discuss the pros and cons of each thermostat, helping you make a more informed decision.

#2 Moisture or Fluid Pooling Around the Unit

The area around the indoor unit and outdoor condenser should be dry. It’s normal to see a small puddle around the outdoor condenser after a rainstorm, and the same is true if it’s humid outside. If humidity is the cause, the moisture should dry quickly. If water leaks from the indoor or outdoor units and doesn’t dry quickly, there’s likely a leak in the condensate hose. A professional in air conditioning repair can fix the problem, and it shouldn’t be ignored.

If you see a yellow-green-colored fluid leaking around the unit, there’s a refrigerant leak, which is serious. Over time, acid can eat away at the metal, creating tiny holes and causing the refrigerant to leak. Without an adequate amount of refrigerant, the compressor coils can freeze, and the unit won’t keep your Frisco, TX home cool.

If your air conditioner was installed after 2010, a professional in AC repair can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant. However, if the unit was installed before 2010, you’ll need to replace the air conditioner. On January 1, 2010, the EPA banned the production and import of R-22 because it’s toxic and depletes the ozone layer, except to service existing equipment, so manufacturers started making air conditions that don’t need R-22. On January 1, 2020. the U.S. government banned R-22 altogether, and the tech won’t have R-22 to refill the system, and you’ll need to have a newer model installed.

#3 Restricted Airflow

When you stand in front of a vent in your Frisco, TX home, you should feel a powerful rush of cold air when the air conditioner runs. If you feel minimal airflow, it’s best to call a professional in air conditioning repair right away.

Inadequate airflow will cause the unit to work harder to reach the desired temperature, increasing your energy bills. In addition, the extra work will result in an added strain that can reduce the unit’s lifespan.

A few issues can cause restricted airflow, including:

  • Damaged air ducts: The air ducts deliver cold air from the unit to the vents throughout the house. A crack or break in the air ducts will allow the cold air to escape before reaching the vents, resulting in poor airflow.
    A professional in air conditioning repair can inspect the ducts for damage and replace and reseal the broken part.
  • Clogged air ducts: Over time, dirt, dust, and other debris can accumulate in the air ducts. In just one year, it’s not uncommon for five pounds of debris to build up in the ducts, restricting the airflow. When the air conditioner runs, the debris will circulate in the air, affecting your home’s air quality and putting your family’s health at risk; therefore, it’s best to call an AC repair company to have the ducts professionally cleaned. The air conditioning repair tech will recommend having the ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years to prevent them from clogging to the point that the airflow is affected again.
  • Broken blower: The blower forces the cold air from the unit to the vents. If the blower isn’t working, the air won’t be pushed to the vents, resulting in poor airflow.
    An air conditioning repair company can inspect the blower to determine if it can be fixed or if replacing the blower is the best option.

Poor airflow can prevent the unit from keeping your home cool and comfortable and can be costly the next month; therefore, it’s best to hire a professional in AC repair immediately.

#4 Nasty Smells

If there’s a nasty smell in your Frisco, TX home, only when the AC runs, call an air conditioning repair right away. Strange smells indicate issues that can put your home and family at risk and should not be ignored. The odor in the house can point the HVAC tech in the right direction.

  • Mold: A moldy smell indicates mold growth somewhere in the system. Mold in the air conditioner will cause mold spores to circulate in the air. Mold exposure is harmful to your health and can cause allergy symptoms, chronic headaches, respiratory issues, skin rashes, and a weakened immune system.
    The most common area for mold growth is the air ducts because they’re hidden and dark. When it’s really humid outside, condensation can form in the ducts, creating the perfect environment for mold. If there’s mold in the air ducts, a professional in air conditioning repair can use an antimicrobial fogger to eradicate the mold. If the air ducts are clean, the mold is in the air conditioner and is often caused by neglecting to maintain the system and is difficult to eliminate. If the AC repair tech can’t reach the mold, you’ll need to repair the unit.
  • Burning: A burning smell indicates an electrical issue, and you should turn the AC off as soon as you detect the odor and call a professional in air conditioner repair. Allowing the problem to persist can start an electrical fire that can damage your home quickly while putting your family at significant risk.
    An air conditioning repair service can send a tech to fix the electrical problem, ensuring it’s safe to use the air conditioner again.

If you notice a strange smell with the AC runs, it’s best to hire a professional in air conditioning repair right away to ensure your home and family are safe.

#5 The AC Doesn’t Produce Cold Air

The most obvious sign it’s time to call a professional in air conditioning repair is when the unit fails to produce cold air. Before making the call, you should check a few things first to avoid an unnecessary service call.

First, check the thermostat setting. User error is a common cause of this problem, and it has to be set correctly. Ensure the thermostat is set to the cooling mode and it’s warmer in the house than the setting on the thermostat. Next, make sure the fan is set to auto. If you leave the fan on, it will keep running between cycles, and you’ll feel warm air coming from the vents in your Frisco, TX home.

Next, check the air filter. If it’s been a while since the filter was replaced, the dirt and grime can prevent adequate airflow in the unit, causing it to overheat and produce warm air. If the filter is dirty, replacing it should solve the problem.

If you’ve checked the thermostat and the air filter and everything is okay, it’s time to call a professional in air conditioning repair.

A few issues can prevent the unit from producing cold air, and you’ll need a professional in air conditioning repair to troubleshoot the problem.

  • Frozen condenser coils: The condenser coils start the cooling process by extracting heat and humidity from the house. If the condenser coils have frozen, they can’t do their job, and the cooling process won’t begin.
    Several issues can cause this problem, including:
    • Dirty evaporator coils
    • Refrigerant leak
    • Clogged drain pipe
    • You ran the air conditioner when it was too cold outside.
  • A professional in air conditioning repair can thaw the coils and figure out why they froze to make the necessary repair and prevent this from happening again.
  • Refrigerant leak: Refrigerant leaks often occur around the condenser coils. When the unit runs, the refrigerant can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. In addition, the unit cannot produce cold air when all of the refrigerant leaks from the system.
  • Faulty compressor: The indoor unit and the outdoor compressor work together to keep your Frisco, TX home cool and comfortable. If there’s no power to the condenser or it isn’t doing its job, the unit will produce warm air.

When it’s 90 degrees outside, your home will get dangerously hot if the unit produces warm air, so it’s best to hire a professional in AC repair immediately.

#6 Your Home Is Humid

The air conditioner in your Frisco, TX home is designed to remove the humidity in the air. If it’s really humid in your home, your home will be uncomfortable, and a professional in air conditioning repair may be able to help.

Neglecting to maintain the system every year before the cooling season begins is the most common cause of this problem. In many cases, the tech can recalibrate the system to function correctly.

The problem could also be due to the size of the air conditioner. If your air conditioner is too large for the square footage in your home, the unit will cycle on and off too frequently, and it won’t reduce the humidity effectively. Replacing the air conditioner will solve the problem; however, if you don’t have the money for a replacement, a dehumidifier can help.

Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Dallas?

If your air conditioner isn’t working correctly and you need to call an AC repair company, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas.

We are a full-service HVAC company serving customers in the area since 1988, and many of our customers have been loyal customers for decades.

Our techs are professionally trained, licensed, and NATE certified and can handle any job you have. We also provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have a problem that can’t wait, we’ll get tech to your home as quickly as possible.

To schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair or any other HVAC service, give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call today.

Photo By Monkey Business Images at Shutterstock