5 Signs It’s Time To Call A Professional In Air Conditioning Repair | Frisco, TX

Photo By Andrey_Popov at Shutterstock

The first window air conditioner was invented in 1931; however, they were too expensive for the typical homeowner to afford. It wasn’t until decades later that window and central air conditioners became more affordable, and today, most people have air conditioners in their homes.

Summer in Frisco, TX, is very hot. It isn’t uncommon for the daytime temperature to reach 95 degrees. The temperature drops at night; however, it doesn’t drop significantly; therefore, you rely on the air conditioner in your home 24 hours a day.

Many people spend more time inside during the summer to escape the heat outside. This is a great plan, as long as your air conditioner functions correctly. If your system isn’t working properly, your home won’t remain cool and comfortable, and you will have no escape from the heat.

Many serious air conditioner problems start as minor issues and escalate if the necessary repairs aren’t made. If you can detect minor problems early, you can prevent a complete air conditioner breakdown.

If your air conditioner is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair right away.

#1 The System Is Producing Warm Air

The most obvious sign of an issue with the air conditioner in your Frisco, TX home is if you feel warm air coming from the vents. If the thermostat isn’t set correctly, this issue can occur. Therefore, before calling an air conditioning repair service, check the thermostat first.

First, make sure the system is set to the cooling mode. If it isn’t, the system won’t produce cold air. Next, make sure the fan is set to “auto.” If the fan is switched to the “on” position, it will continue running between cycles, and the air from the vents will be warm until a new cycle begins. Finally, check the temperature setting on the thermostat. It needs to be warmer in the house than the setting on the thermostat for the air conditioner to kick on.

If the thermostat is set correctly, it is time to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair. There are several issues that can cause warm air to flow from the vents; therefore, you will need an HVAC tech to inspect the unit to find the cause. The most common causes of this problem include:

• Dirty air filter: If your system’s air filter is dirty, the air conditioner cannot move air through the system, putting added strain on the air conditioner, causing it to produce warm air.

• Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils play an essential part in the cooling process. The evaporator coils take the warm air from your home, necessary to begin the cooling process. If moisture collects on the evaporator coils, they will freeze and cannot do their job. You will need to call an air conditioning repair service to thaw the evaporator coils and determine why moisture is collecting. This issue also needs to be repaired to prevent the evaporator coils from freezing again.

• Low refrigerant: If there isn’t enough refrigerant in the system, it won’t produce cold air. You will need a Frisco, TX HVAC tech to refill the refrigerant, allowing the system to produce cold air.

• Refrigerant leak: A refrigerant leak will prevent your air conditioner from producing cold air. You will need to call an HVAC tech to repair the leak and refill the refrigerant for the system to start producing cold air.

• No power to the outdoor unit: Your air conditioning system’s indoor and outdoor units work together to keep your home cool and comfortable. If there is no power going to the outdoor unit, the system won’t produce cold air. You will need to call an AC repair service to figure out why the power has been disrupted, so they can get it up and running again.

The longer you wait to have your air conditioner checked by a professional in air conditioning repair, the longer it will be until your Frisco, TX home is cool and comfortable again.

#2 Reduced Airflow

When you stand in front of the vents in your home when your air conditioner runs, you should feel a powerful rush of cold air. If you are getting minimal airflow, it will be difficult for the system to keep your home at the desired temperature. The air conditioner will need to work harder than necessary to keep your home cool, which will cause your energy bills to increase. In addition, the extra work will put added strain on the system, reducing its maximum lifespan. There are a few issues that can cause restricted airflow.

• Clogged air ducts: Regardless of how clean you keep your home, over time, dirt, dust, and other debris can build up in the air ducts, restricting the airflow. In addition, clogged air ducts can affect your home’s air quality and your family’s health. When the air conditioner runs, the debris will circulate in the air, making it unsafe to breathe. Breathing in this debris can result in allergy symptoms and respiratory issues. A professional in air conditioning repair can clean the air ducts, improve the airflow, keep your home cool and your family’s health won’t be at risk.

• Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your home are hidden; therefore, if there is a crack or leak in the air ducts, you won’t be able to see them. The only sign of damaged air ducts is reduced airflow. When the cool air escapes through the damaged air ducts, a minimal amount will reach the vents, resulting in poor airflow. When you call an air conditioning repair service, an HVAC tech will inspect the air ducts for damage so the necessary repair can be made.

• Faulty blower: Your air conditioner’s blower is designed to force the cool air from the unit, through the air ducts, and to the vents throughout your home. If the blower isn’t working correctly, the cold air won’t reach the vents. You will need a professional in air conditioning repair to fix the blower, improving the airflow while keeping your home cool and comfortable.

Restricted airflow can cause issues with your home’s air quality, your family’s health, and your home won’t be cool; therefore, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair right away.

#3 Unusual Smells

The air conditioner in your Frisco, TX home produces clean, cool air when functioning properly. If the system is producing an unusual smell when it runs, you should call an air conditioning repair service right away. The smell can help the HVAC tech figure out what is causing the smell.

• Mold: A moldy or musty smell indicates mold growth. In many cases, the mold is in the air ducts. Your air ducts are dark, and the humidity can create moisture, which is the perfect environment for mold growth.
  Mold in the air ducts is a serious problem. When the air conditioner runs, mold spores circulate in the air, which can be hazardous to your health. According to the CDC, breathing in mold can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues, skin rashes, and a weakened immune system. If you or a member of your household has a chronic lung or respiratory condition, the mold will worsen the condition and symptoms.
  An HVAC tech can examine the air ducts for the presence of mold and use an antimicrobial fogger to eliminate the mold and prevent future mold growth.
  If the tech cannot find mold in the ducts, it could be in the air conditioner. Mold is much more challenging to eradicate in an air conditioner, and if the tech cannot eliminate it, you will need to replace your air conditioner.
  Because mold can cause serious health issues, it is best to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair right away.

• Burning: If you smell something burning when your air conditioner is running, turn it off immediately and schedule an appointment for emergency air conditioning repair. A burning smell indicates an electrical issue, and the smell is due to burning wire insulation. Ignoring the problem could spark an electrical fire; therefore, it is best to get a professional in AC repair to your home as quickly as possible and don’t start using the air conditioner until the repair is complete.

#4 Moisture Or Leaks Around the Unit

The area around the air conditioner in your Frisco, TX home should always be dry. If there is moisture or pooling liquid around the unit, you should call an air conditioning repair service right away.

Moisture on the walls and the floor indicate a disconnected, broken, or clogged condensate hose. Water damage and mold growth can occur if you don’t have the hose repaired right away. Fortunately, this is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward fix.

Fluid pooling around the unit often signifies a refrigerant leak, which is a more emergent issue, requiring a call to an emergency air conditioning repair service. Leaking refrigerant will affect your air conditioner’s ability to produce cold air. Also, refrigerant is toxic and can be harmful to children and pets who don’t know enough to stay away.

If you have a newer model air conditioner, an air conditioning repair service can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant. If you have an older model, you may have a serious problem on your hands. Most older units use R-22 refrigerant, which the Environmental Protection Agency had deemed toxic and harmful to the environment. On January 1, 2020, the United States government banned the production of R-22. The HVAC tech can repair the leak; however, they won’t have the R-22 to refill the system. In this case, you will need to replace your air conditioner with a modern model that doesn’t use R-22.

When you schedule an appointment for an AC repair, the tech will inspect the unit to determine if a repair is possible.

#5 Unusual Sounds

Your air conditioner should be quiet when it runs. When the system cycles, you will hear a faint clicking sound. Any other sounds coming from your air conditioner require an appointment for air conditioning repair. Different sounds signify different issues; therefore, you need a professional to diagnose the problem. The sound the system makes will point the tech in the right direction.

• Banging: This often indicates a loose or broken part in the compressor. It can also signify that the compressor has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be repaired.

• Clanking: This sound likely means that the indoor or outdoor fan is out of balance, and the blades are hitting other parts.

• Buzzing: This can be difficult to diagnose because many issues can cause a buzzing sound. These include loose parts, debris in the indoor or outdoor unit, the condenser coil is dirty, the air filter is clogged, the blower is failing, or the outdoor motor is failing.

• Screaming: A high-pitched sound indicates high pressure in the system, and you should turn the air conditioner off immediately and schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair. You shouldn’t use the air conditioner until the problem has been resolved.

It is easy to ignore unusual sounds; however, it is best to call an AC repair service right away. Ignoring the problem will cause it to escalate and can result in a complete breakdown.

Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas?

If you have an issue with your air conditioner and need to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas.

We are a full-service HVAC company serving customers in the area since 1988. Excellent service is our top priority, which is why many of our customers have been loyal customers for as many as 30 years.

Our techs are professionally trained, skilled, and NATE certified. We can handle any HVAC issue, regardless of how simple or complicated the job is. We want you to feel safe when you allow our techs into your home; therefore, our techs must pass a background check, drug test, and register with the state of Texas.

HVAC technology is constantly evolving, so we require our techs to receive ongoing training. We want to be sure they can install, maintain and repair the latest HVAC models.

Your comfort is important to us, and we understand that your HVAC system is essential to your comfort. This is why we offer emergency service. If you have an issue that needs to be addressed right away, we are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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.