Problems That Require A Call To An Air Conditioning Service | Dallas, TX
Summers in Texas are very hot, and the temperature reaches 90 degrees or higher on most days. When it’s this hot outside, most people spend more time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat. If your air conditioner isn’t working correctly, it can affect the temperature in your house, and some AC problems can cost you more money than necessary or put your home and family at risk.
Detecting air conditioner problems early is essential to prevent the problem from escalating, causing a complete breakdown when you need the air conditioner the most.
If your air conditioner experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call an air conditioning service in Dallas, TX immediately.
#1 Broken Thermostat
The thermostat sends signals to your air conditioner so it knows when to turn on and off and how cool you want your house to be. If the thermostat is broken, the unit won’t get the correct signal and won’t function correctly.
There are a few ways to tell if your thermostat isn’t working right, including:
- The thermostat doesn’t light up after replacing the batteries.
- The thermostat is unresponsive.
- The temperature in the house doesn’t match the thermostat setting.
- The unit cycles too frequently.
An air conditioning service in Dallas, TX can send a tech to your home to check the thermostat to determine if it can be fixed or if replacing it is the better option. Thermostat technology has improved significantly over the years, and thermostats are available to help save money on your energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat: These thermostats have been around for a while, and you can program it a week in advance based on when your family is home and when you aren’t. When the thermostat is programmed, the air conditioner won’t run on full blast when nobody is home, and you can program it to cool the house down before you get home.
- Wi-Fi thermostats: These thermostats can be controlled using your Smartphone from anywhere in the world as long as there’s an internet connection. You can adjust the temperature when you leave the house and again before you get home, and it will consume less energy, causing your electric bills to decrease.
- Smart thermostats: A smart thermostat is an excellent option if you have an Amazon Alexa or Google Home. You can control the thermostat using the sound of your voice when you’re home and on the smart device’s app when you aren’t. Having the ability to adjust the thermostat so easily can save money on your energy bills.
If you suspect your thermostat is broken, it’s best to call an air conditioning service in Dallas, TX immediately so your house remains cool and comfortable.
#2 The Unit Produces Warm Air
The most obvious sign it’s time to call an air conditioning service is when you feel warm air coming from the vents when the unit runs. However, it’s best to check a few things first to avoid an unnecessary service call.
First, check the air filter. If it’s been a while since you replaced it last and the filter is covered with dirt and grime, air won’t flow through the unit, causing it to overheat and produce warm air. If the air filter is the cause, replacing it will resolve the problem.
Next, check the thermostat settings. If it isn’t set correctly, the unit won’t function correctly. The thermostat must be set to the cooling mode, and it must be warmer in the house than the temperature setting on the thermostat. Also, the fan must be set to auto. The fan will remain on between cycles if it’s set to on, and you’ll feel warm air coming from the vents.
If everything checks out on your end, it’s time to call an air conditioning service. A few problems can cause the AC to produce warm air, and you’ll need an HVAC professional to make a diagnosis and fix the unit.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner cannot produce cold air without adequate refrigerant, and a leak can deplete the supply. Leaks occur when acid eats away at the metal, creating tiny holes that allow the refrigerant to leak, and the unit will produce cold air.
An air conditioning service in Dallas, TX can send a tech to fix the leak and refill the refrigerant, but only if the unit was installed after 2010. If your AC was installed before 2010, you’d need to replace it.
Older models use R-22 refrigerant, which the EPA discovered is toxic and depletes the ozone layer, and it has been banned in the United States since January 1, 2020. The tech won’t be able to refill the unit with refrigerant, so fixing the leak will be pointless, and replacing the unit is your only option.
The sooner you call an air conditioning service, the sooner your house will be cool and comfortable. - Broken compressor: The indoor AC unit and the outdoor compressor work together to produce the cold air necessary to keep your house comfortable. If there is no power going to the compressor or it isn’t working correctly, you’ll feel warm air coming from the vents, and it’s best to call an air conditioning service in Dallas, TX immediately.
A tech can inspect the compressor to figure out why it isn’t working and make the necessary repair to restore the cold air. - Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils extract the heat and humidity in the air to begin the cooling process. If the coils freeze, they can’t do their job, and the air conditioner will produce warm air.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to thaw the coils and allow the cooling process to begin. They will also figure out why the coils froze to prevent it from happening again. A few issues can cause the coils to freeze, including:- Dirty coils
- Dirty air filter
- Poor airflow in the unit
- Refrigerant leak
- You ran the AC when it was too cold outside
It’s best to call an air conditioning service immediately because the temperature in your house will continue to increase until the problem is resolved.
#3 Restricted Airflow
You should feel a powerful rush of cold air when you stand in front of the vents in your home when the air conditioner runs. If you feel minimal airflow, it’s best to schedule an appointment with an air conditioning service immediately.
Poor airflow will cause the unit to work harder to keep your house cool, consuming more energy, and your electric bills will increase. In addition, the extra work will strain the AC, reducing its lifespan, and you’ll need to replace it sooner than you should have.
A few issues can restrict the airflow, including:
- Clogged air ducts: Over time, the dirt and debris in the house will accumulate in the air ducts. Up to five pounds of debris can accumulate in the ducts in one year, and when too much debris has accumulated, it will clog the ducts, restricting the airflow. Clogged ducts also affect your home’s air quality, and the dirt and debris will circulate in the air when the air conditioner runs, causing you and your family to develop allergy symptoms.
An air conditioning service in Dallas, TX can send a tech to clean the debris from the ducts, improving your home’s air quality and restoring adequate airflow. You may want to consider having the ducts cleaned by an HVAC professional every three to five years to prevent the ducts from clogging again. - Damaged air ducts: Air ducts are hidden behind the walls, under the floors, or above the ceiling for aesthetic purposes and will make it impossible to see visible damage. If there’s a crack in the ducts, a joint is loose or disconnected, or a seal fails, the cold air will escape before reaching the vents, resulting in poor airflow.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to your house to inspect the ducts for damage and repair the damage. The sooner the air ducts are fixed, the sooner the airflow will be restored, and your house will be cool and comfortable. - Broken blower: Your air conditioner has a blower, and it’s designed to force the cold air from the unit through the ducts to the vents, ensuring adequate airflow. If the blower isn’t working correctly, the airflow will be restricted, and you’ll need to call an air conditioning service to resolve the problem. A tech can check the blower to determine if it can be fixed or if a replacement is the best option, and adequate airflow will be restored.
Restricted airflow affects your home’s temperature, bank account, and lifespan of the unit; therefore, it’s best to call an air conditioning service as soon as you notice the problem.
#4 Foul Odors
Your air conditioner is designed to produce clean, odorless air. If you smell something strange when the unit runs, it’s best to call an air conditioning service in Dallas, TX. It’s normal to smell dust when you run the AC for the first time during the cooling season, and the smell will dissipate within minutes. Any other foul odors indicate issues that can put your home and family at risk, and it’s best to call an air conditioning service immediately.
- Mold: A moldy smell indicates the presence of mold somewhere in the system, and it’s most commonly found in the air ducts. The ducts are dark, and condensation will form when it gets humid in the house, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold. This is a serious problem because mold spores in the ducts will circulate in the air, causing you and your family to develop mold-related health issues, so it’s essential to call an air conditioning service immediately.
They will send a tech to your home to inspect the ducts for mold, which can be easily eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger. If the tech doesn’t find any mold in the air ducts, it’s likely in the unit and occurs due to poor maintenance. They will try to eliminate the mold, but if they can’t remove every spore, the unit must be replaced to prevent further mold exposure. It would be best if you considered installing a UV lamp to prevent future mold growth. - Burning: A burning smell indicates a wiring issue, and the odor is caused by wire insulation burning. Ignoring the problem can result in an electrical fire that can destroy the house within minutes.
An HVAC tech can inspect the wiring to locate the faulty wire and make the necessary repair before a disaster occurs.
Foul smells when the AC runs are more than a minor annoyance and can put your home and family at risk; therefore, it’s best to have the problem resolved as quickly as possible.
Call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas Today
If your air conditioner isn’t working correctly and you need to call an HVAC professional, look no further than One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We’re a full-service HVAC company, serving customers in the area since 1988, and many of our customers have been working with us for decades.
Our techs are professionally trained, NATE certified, and have the knowledge and skill necessary to handle any heating or air conditioning repair. HVAC technology is constantly evolving, and our techs receive ongoing training to ensure they can work on the latest HVAC models.
If you have an HVAC problem that must be addressed immediately, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’ll get a tech to your house as quickly as possible before further damage occurs.
Our techs will arrive at your house on time in a fully-stocked truck. This allows them to make most repairs the same day, and you won’t have to make time in your day for a second service call.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning service or any other HVAC service, call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas today.