8 Signs That You Need To Call A Professional In AC Repair | Irving, TX
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Irving, TX residents know how brutal the summers can be. During the day, the average temperature is in the high 90’s, and it isn’t uncommon for the temperature to reach 100 degrees. Even the nights are hot, and the beginning of the summer tends to be very humid.
When the summer approaches, homeowners rely greatly on their air conditioning system. Most people would rather stay inside where it is cool when it is 90 degrees outdoors. Because you rely so much on your air conditioning system during the summer months, you want to be sure that it is always functioning properly. The last thing that you want is for your system to break down completely during the hottest time of the year. One way that you can prevent air conditioning issues is to have your system maintained every year. You should also be able to recognize the signs that there is a problem with your air conditioner. If you can detect an issue right away, you can call for AC repair before a minor problem turns into something major.
#1 Warm Air Coming From the Vents
The most obvious sign that you need to call for AC repair is when there is warm air coming from the vents. If the air doesn’t get cold, your system won’t be able to cool your home down and reach the desired temperature.
Before you have an HVAC tech come to your Irving, TX home, you should take a look at your thermostat first. The first thing you should do is make sure that the thermostat is set to the cooling mode. If it isn’t, the cold air won’t come from the vents. The next thing you want to check is the temperature the thermostat is set to. If the temperature in the home is cooler than the thermostat temperature, it won’t tell the system to cool down the house.
If your thermostat is set correctly, you should call a professional in AC repair. There are a few issues that could be causing the issue. The problem could be something simple like a dirty air filter or a frozen evaporator coil. It could also be something more serious like leaking or low refrigerant or a faulty thermostat. It would take the knowledge and experience of an HVAC tech to determine the source of the problem and make the necessary repairs. Until you call a professional in AC repair, your home won’t be cool and comfortable.
#2 Poor Air Flow
If your air conditioner is running and it isn’t blowing cold air, or the airflow is weak, it will be difficult for the system to keep your house cool. When this happens, your system will need to work overtime to keep your home at the desired temperature, which will increase your energy bill and reduce the maximum lifespan of the system. If the airflow is weak, you should call a professional in AC repair.
There are a few issues that can cause poor airflow. The first is air ducts problems. If the air ducts are clogged with dirt, dust, pet hair, or other debris, the air will have trouble going through the ducts and getting to the vents. There could also be a leak in the air ducts. The problem could be something more serious, like a broken blower. The blower is responsible for blowing the cold air through the air ducts. If the blower isn’t working, the cold air will have trouble getting through the ducts. Another serious issue is a faulty compressor. If the compressor has shut down, the system can’t produce any cold air. This is a serious issue that would require immediate AC repair.
If your home is going to be cool, you need to call a professional in AC repair to find the source of the problem.
#3 Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat in your Irving, TX, home is the air conditioner’s brain. The thermostat tells the system when to turn on and off and how cold you want your house to be. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, your air conditioner won’t work properly. If you suspect that there is an issue with your thermostat, you check the batteries first. If the batteries are dead, the thermostat won’t function.
If the batteries are good and the thermostat still isn’t working, you should schedule an appointment for AC repair. If your thermostat is old and dated, it could be time to have it replaced. If so, you should consider having a programmable thermostat installed. These are more modern thermostats, and you can set it to turn the temperature up and down automatically at certain times of the day. You don’t need your home to be very cool when you are at work, so you can set the thermostat to change when you leave. You can also set it to turn up before you come home so that your house will be cool when you get there.
You can also go with a WiFi thermostat that will allow you to change the temperature setting from your phone anywhere in the world. An HVAC tech can discuss your options with you so that you can select the best thermostat for your needs.
#4 Foul Smells Coming From the Air Conditioner
When you turn on your air conditioner for the first time during the cooling season, it isn’t uncommon to smell dust. This is just the dust that accumulated during the winter, and within a few minutes, the smell will dissipate.
If you smell a moldy or mildew smell, it is a major cause for concern. These smells mean that there is mold or mildew in the air ducts that would need to be cleaned immediately. There could also be mold growth in the air conditioning system itself. In either case, you should call for AC repair immediately. If there are mold and mildew growth, it will get into the air through the vents, which can make your family sick. Until you call a professional in AC repair, the air won’t be safe for your family to breathe.
#5 Strange Sounds Coming From the Air Conditioner
A properly functioning air conditioning system should be relatively quiet. When the system kicks on and off, you will hear a low-level click. When the system is running, you shouldn’t hear anything more than a low-level hum. If you hear any strange sounds coming from your air conditioner, you should call an HVAC tech for AC repair. There are several sounds that your air conditioner will make when it isn’t working properly, and each one signifies a different problem.
- The outdoor unit sounds: If you hear a clicking sound coming from the outdoor unit, it could be something simple like a branch or a stick stuck in the fan. It could also be something more serious like an electrical issue. If you hear a banging sound, there is a good chance that the outdoor unit’s fan mount is loose and hitting the metal cage. This is a very simple fix. If you hear a metal on metal sound, the fan motor’s bearings could be on their way out. This is a serious issue that can cause a complete system breakdown if it is ignored.
- The indoor unit sounds: There are several indoor sounds that signify an issue. If you hear a squealing sound, the fan belt could be breaking. If you allow the problem to persist and the fan belt breaks completely, your system will experience a complete breakdown. If you hear a high-pitched scream, it is a serious issue that cannot be ignored. The screaming could be due to a buildup of high pressure in the system, which is serious. Most systems are equipped with an emergency shut off in cases like this. It is essential that you don’t override the shut-off and call a professional who specializes in AC repair immediately. Finally, if you hear a gurgling sound, a condensate hose is likely broken, cracked, or disconnected. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy fix.
You should never ignore any strange sounds coming from your air conditioner because they are trying to tell you that there is a problem. It is best to shut down the system until you can have the problem repaired.
#6 Moisture Or Water Pooling Around the Air Conditioner
There should never be moisture or pooling around your air conditioning system. If you notice this issue, you should call a professional for AC repair immediately.
The problem could be something simple like a broken, clogged, or disconnected hose. These issues are simple and relatively inexpensive to repair. The problem could be something more serious like leaking refrigerant. This is a serious issue that needs to be repaired immediately. Refrigerant is toxic when ingested, and if it’s leaking, it can pose a threat to small children and pets. Also, if your system gets too low on refrigerant, your system won’t be able to cool your home down adequately.
If you do have a refrigerant leak, you could run into a serious problem, depending on the age of your system. Most older systems use R-22 refrigerant, which is where the problem lies. Over the last few years, the United States government has been working to phase out this type of refrigerant. It has been deemed toxic and harmful to the environment, so it is no longer being produced. If you have an R-22 refrigerant leak, it will need to be refilled. There is a good chance that the HVAC tech won’t be able to get their hands on R-22. If they can, it is going to be very expensive. In cases like this, the HVAC tech might recommend that you have your air conditioning system replaced with a more modern unit that uses a different type of refrigerant.
#7 High Humidity In the Home
A central air conditioning system is designed to do more than just keep your home cool. It is also designed to remove the humidity from the air, making the air inside more comfortable. If you notice that your Irving, TX home is very humid, it is a sign that the system isn’t working properly, and you need to schedule an appointment for AC repair right away. Allowing the problem to persist won’t just affect your home’s comfort level; it can also cause the growth of mold and mildew. If this happens, you will need to spend even more money to have the mold and mildew removed. It is best for your home and family to call for AC repair as soon as you discover the problem.
The problem could be something simple, and your air conditioning system needs a tuneup or needs to be recalibrated. It could also be something more serious that would require a major fix. It would take the knowledge and experience of an AC repair specialist to figure out what is causing the problem and then make the necessary repairs.
#8 A Significant Increase In Your Energy Bills
If there is a significant spike in your energy bill during the summer, your air conditioner could be to blame. It is normal for your bill to go up a bit during the summer, but if you have been living in your Irving, TX home for a while, you know what your summertime electric bills look like. If your bill is higher than usual, it is a sign that your air conditioner isn’t working as efficiently as it should. When this happens, your system will need to work harder than it should to keep your house cool. The harder the system works, the more energy it will use.
There are several things that could be causing the problem. Some can be fixed; however, if your system has reached its maximum lifespan, it might need to be replaced. It would take a professional in AC repair to figure out what is wrong and determine the best course of action.
If the air conditioner in your Irving, TX home isn’t working properly, contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas for AC repair. We have been serving customers in the area since 1988, and many of our customers have been with us for over 20 years.
We understand how essential your air conditioner is during the hot summer months, which is why we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To schedule an appointment for AC repair, maintenance, or installation, give us a call today.