Top Signs You Need Air Conditioning Repair Now | Frisco, TX
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Spring is on its way in Frisco, TX, and soon that means that warm temperatures will arrive. Before they do it may not be a bad idea to turn on your AC system and make sure that everything is working correctly. In fact, there is a good chance you may already have it on. In this case, it is important to know the signs that you need air conditioning repair so that you can take care of any problems while the heat is still bearable. While you don’t want to be without your AC at any time, it is a lot better to have it off for a few days for air conditioning repair now versus in the middle of July or August.
If you are from the Frisco, TX area you may take your air conditioning system for granted. It may just be something you turn on every year as the temperatures climb up. However, AC systems are still large pieces of machinery, and they can and will fail eventually. However, rarely does an AC system just break down and turn off. Usually, there are signs that lead up to the failure which if you learn to notice can help save you from major issues.
Catching the early signs you need air conditioning repair allows you to proactively call an HVAC tech and get them taken care of before the system turns off completely. It also helps you prevent major damage to your system that may or may not be repairable. One broken part can be easily and usually repaired for a low cost, but if you don’t address the failing component it can lead to multiple damaged parts which then might not be cost-effective to repair depending on the age of your unit. With this in mind, it is time to learn the signs of air conditioning repair and how annual maintenance can save you from a lot of issues down the road.
The Thermostat Is Not Working
You probably only think about your thermostat as the place you set the temperature for your home, but it is much, much more. Your thermostat is like the brains of your HVAC system. It turns on and off based on what the thermostat tells it to do. Therefore, if something is not working right within your thermostat your AC will not properly cool your home and you will need air conditioning repair.
Oftentimes when there is an issue with the thermostat you will notice a cycle pattern known as short cycling. This is when your AC turns on for a few minutes and then promptly turns itself off before completing a full cycle. Within a few minutes, it may kick on again and then kick off again. While you may not know exactly how long your AC is usually running, you should have a general idea and it should be easy to tell that this does not fit within the realm of normal.
If you notice short cycling, this is a clear sign that it is time to have someone out to your home for air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX. Not only will this prevent your AC system from properly cooling your home but it is very rough on your system and will lead to extensive wear and tear that can actually cause a complete breakdown. In addition, it is very costly because your HVAC system consumes the most energy when turning on. Therefore, if it is turning on and off repeatedly throughout the day every few minutes your energy bill is going to jump sky high. The best way to get ahead of the problem is by calling for air conditioning repair.
Warm Air Is Blowing Out of Your Vents
This should be an easy red flag to spot, but some optimistic homeowners will still give it some time before calling for air conditioning repair. We aren’t sure what they are waiting for, because this problem is not likely to fix itself. If your air vents are blowing out warm air and the AC is supposed to be working, then clearly there is a problem that needs to be addressed by an air conditioning repair technician.
The one thing that you may want to check before calling the tech for air conditioning repair is that your AC is on. If something gets bumped on the thermostat it is possible that only your fan setting is on. In this case, warm air will circulate your home. Simply switching the thermostat to cool should be enough to do the trick. However, if the thermostat is already on cool and the air blowing out of your vents is still hot then you have a bigger issue. There are usually several reasons why this may happen, and they all require a certified HVAC tech to help solve them. The most obvious issue is that your refrigerant needs recharged. While you should not run out of refrigerant, there is also the chance that you have a small leak somewhere that has gone undetected. Once your refrigerant gets low enough the HVAC system will stop blowing out cold air. Refrigerants are dangerous and need to be properly dealt with by a certified technician so if you suspect this may be the issue you need to call for air conditioning repair right away. You can peek around your system to look for leaks, but once again, only a certified tech can handle refrigerant issues.
On the other hand, it is possible that something is wrong with your condenser coils. If you do not regularly have your system maintained it is possible that grime and dirt have built up over the condenser coils over time and is now affecting their ability to work properly. Since they are outside, it is very easy for dirt and debris to build up and once it accumulates it can affect the functioning of the component. The best way to get to the root of the problem is by calling a professional to investigate.
Reduce Airflow Near Your Vents
On the other hand, if the air coming out of your vents is cooled but not enough, this is another indication that something is wrong with your AC system. You probably have a good idea of what regular airflow feels like, especially if you have children in the home who run to the air vents every time the system kicks on. If you notice that the airflow is dramatically reduced then it is time to call for air conditioning repair. This is another costly issue that you don’t want to ignore since reduced airflow means your AC system will have to work twice as hard to cool your home properly. An AC system that has to cycle more frequently will cost you more to run and you will see the difference reflected in your energy bills.
Simply troubleshooting the issue quickly by calling for air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX is the best way to stay ahead of it. A lot of times this is a sign that something is wrong with the compressor. A weakening compressor will not be able to push air out with the same force which can lead to diminished airflow, but it is not the only problem. If you only notice the diminished airflow at a few of your vents then there is a chance that something is blocking your ductwork. Airflow that is normal in some locations of your home and diminished in others strongly suggests that you have a clog in your ductwork, but this can be solved. If your air conditioning repair technician suspects this is the problem they will recommend an air duct cleaning service which will remove everything including dust and other allergens. At the end of the cleaning session, you should hopefully find your problem resolved.
The one thing you can try on your own before calling an air conditioning repair tech in Frisco, TX is changing your air filters. If you don’t change your air filter on a regular basis there is the chance that the filter is now so dirty and clogged that airflow is not properly able to get through it. This can lead to diminished airflow that you notice at the vents. Take your air filter out and replace it and then try running your AC again. If the airflow returns then you know this was the issue. You can prevent this from occurring again by regularly changing your air filters. Most HVAC professionals recommend changing your air filters every three to four months, but if your home has a lot of traffic and dust you may need to change them more often.
Odd Smells Coming from Your Vents
If your AC system is working properly there should never be odd smells coming out of your vents. The presence of any weird smell is an instant indication that it is time to call for air conditioning repair. In fact, depending on the smell sometimes this can be an indication that something is seriously wrong with our system and you need to turn it off right now.
Some smells that should lead to instant alarm include sulfur, rotten eggs, or electrical smells. The presence of sulfur or rotten eggs may indicate that something is wrong with your natural gas line. While you probably don’t use gas to power your AC, the furnace component of your HVAC system may and a leak can occur at any time. If you ever notice this type of smell you need to shut down your HVAC system, leave your home, and then call the gas company or your local HVAC company to inspect your system.
Another highly concerning smell is one that resembles burning or what some simply describe as an electrical smell. Your AC system is a highly complex piece of machinery, and there are a lot of electrical components that can break or disintegrate. An exposed wire can be a potential fire hazard or an electrocution hazard. If you smell an electrical smell coming from your vents this is a very strong sign that something is wrong within your system. Once again, the best bet is to turn off your HVAC system and wait for air conditioning repair in Frisco, TX. In this type of situation, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Finally, if you smell a musty or rotting smell, there is a good chance that something is in your ductwork that shouldn’t be. It only takes a tiny bit of moisture for mold and mildew to grow in your ductwork or within your actual HVAC system. The problem is once it grows the air pushes past it on a regular basis and mold spores are transferred into the air that you breathe in your home. Mold and mildew can be very dangerous to breathe on a regular basis and even cause allergic reactions in some cases.
The best thing you can do is call for air conditioning repair to pinpoint where the mold or mildew is hiding and then schedule a cleaning. If it is in the machine the tech should be able to get to it, but if it is in the ductwork then they may need to come back with specialized cleaning equipment. Due to the inherent issues with mold in a home, this is also something you don’t want to wait to address.
Have you noticed any of the above signs of air conditioning repair in your Frisco, TX home? If so you need to call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We serve the Frisco, TX area and can set up an appointment to come out to your home to troubleshoot the problem before it leads to greater issues within your home.
