5 Signs You Need To Schedule An Appointment For Air Conditioning Service | Arlington, TX
When late spring and summer arrive, your air conditioner becomes one of the most important appliances in your home. Summers in Arlington, TX, are hot, and it isn’t uncommon for the temperature to reach 95 degrees, and if your air conditioner isn’t functioning correctly, your home will get very hot. When the temperature in your home increases, it will be impossible for your home to remain comfortable. In addition, when your home gets too hot, your family could be at risk for heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Your air conditioner is a complex system, and there can be more than one issue that can cause a specific problem, and you will need to call an air conditioning service to find the cause. Because the unit is so complex, DIY repairs aren’t recommended. If you can figure out what is causing the problem, one simple mistake can cause more harm than good, resulting in a more expensive repair bill.
If your air conditioner experiences any of the following issues, it is best to call an air conditioning service to get the unit up and running correctly.
#1 Restricted Airflow
When the air conditioner in your home runs, you should feel a powerful rush of cold air coming from the vents. If the airflow is weak, it can be challenging for the unit to keep your home cool, and it will need to work overtime to keep the house cool. The extra work will cause your energy bills to increase significantly and can put added strain on the unit, which can decrease its maximum lifespan. The average cost to replace a residential air conditioner is between $4,000 and $12,000, depending on the size of your home. This is a considerable investment; therefore, you should call an air conditioning service to repair the problem before too much damage has been done.
There are a few issues that can cause restricted airflow, including:
- Debris in the air ducts: The air ducts in your Arlington, TX home allow the cool air to travel from the air conditioner to the vents throughout your home. Over time, dust, dirt, and other forms of debris can accumulate in the air ducts. In just one year, up to five pounds of debris can build up in the ducts, restricting the airflow.
Clogged ducts can also affect your home’s air quality. When the air conditioner runs, the debris will circulate in the air. Breathing in the debris can cause your family to develop allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, coughing, and respiratory issues.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to clean the air ducts, restoring adequate airflow.
- Broken blower: Your air conditioner has a blower designed to force the cold air from the unit to the ducts. If the blower isn’t functioning correctly, the cold air won’t reach the vents, resulting in poor airflow.
An HVAC tech can check the blower to determine if the blower can be fixed or if a replacement is the best option. When the problem has been resolved, the airflow will be restored.
- Damaged air ducts: The air ducts are hidden under the floors, above the ceiling, and behind the walls; therefore, you won’t be able to see any visible damage. If the ducts are damaged, the cold air will escape before reaching the vents, causing reduced airflow.
An air conditioning company can send a licensed HVAC tech to your home to inspect the ducts for damage. When the damage is repaired, and the air ducts are sealed tightly, adequate airflow will be restored.
Because poor airflow can affect your home’s temperature, your energy bills, and the unit itself, you should schedule an appointment for servicing as soon as you detect the problem.
#2 The Unit Produces Warm Air
if the air conditioner in your Arlington, TX home is working correctly, you should feel cold air coming from the vents. If the air is warm, you may need to schedule an appointment for air conditioning service.
A common cause of this problem is an incorrectly set thermostat. Before making the call, make sure the thermostat is set correctly to avoid an unnecessary service call. The proper settings include:
- Mode: The thermostat must be set to the cooling mode for the air conditioner to produce cold air.
- Fan: The fan should be set to “auto.” If it is set at the “on” position, the fan will continue running when the unit cycles, and you will feel warm air coming from the vents.
- Temperature: The temperature in your home has to be warmer than the setting on the thermostat for it to produce cold air. If you have the thermostat set correctly, you should call an air conditioning service. A few issues can cause this problem, and you will need a professional to find the source of the problem.
- Dirty air filter: HVAC experts recommend changing the filter in your air conditioner every 90 days or so. If you have pets or a family member has allergies, the air filter should be replaced every 45 days. If you have neglected to change the air filter, the air won’t move through the system, producing warm air.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to produce cold air. If the refrigerant leaks, there won’t be enough in the unit, and it will produce warm air.
If your unit was installed after 2010, the tech can fix the problem and refill the refrigerant. If the unit was installed before 2010, the tech can fix the problem but cannot refill the unit. Older systems use R-22 refrigerant, which is toxic and harmful to the ozone layer. On January 1, 2020. the production of R-22 was banned; therefore, the tech won’t have the proper refrigerant to refill the unit, and you will need to replace the air conditioner.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils absorb the heat from your home and use it to begin the cooling process. If moisture forms on the coils, they can freeze and can’t start the cooling process, causing the air conditioner to produce warm air. Even if you can thaw the coils yourself, you will still need to call an air conditioning service to figure out where the moisture is coming from to prevent the coils from freezing again.
- Faulty compressor: The compressor plays an essential part in the cooling process. It moves the refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser coils, allowing the refrigerant to change to gas or liquid when necessary. If the compressor isn’t working, you should call an AC service. When the compressor is repaired or replaced, the cold air will be restored.
- The unit is nearing the end of its lifespan: If your air conditioner is over 15 years old, it is nearing the end of its lifespan and can no longer function efficiently. An air conditioning service can replace your unit with a new, energy-efficient model, keeping your home cool and comfortable.
#3 Strange Smells
The air conditioner in your Arlington, TX home should produce odorless cold air. If you smell something strange when the unit runs, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service. Strange odors indicate issues that could put your family’s health or your home at risk; therefore, it is best to make the call right away.
- Mold: If the air conditioner emits a moldy smell, there could be mold in the air ducts, which is a dangerous problem. The air ducts are hidden and don’t get any light. When your home gets humid, moisture can form in the ducts, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold.
When the air conditioner runs, mold spores can circulate in the air, which can be harmful to your family’s health. According to the CDC, mold exposure can cause various health issues, including a runny or stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, headaches, and irritation to the eyes, nose, and ears. In addition, mold exposure can weaken your immune system, making it more challenging to fight off disease and infection.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to inspect the ducts for mold. Fortunately, it can be eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger.
If there is no mold in the ducts, it could be in the air conditioner, which can be more challenging to eradicate. If the tech can’t reach all the mold, you will need to replace the air conditioner.
- Burning: If you smell something burning when your air conditioner runs, you should turn it off immediately and call an air conditioning service. The burning smell indicates an electrical issue that could spark an electrical fire that could damage or destroy your Arlington, TX home and should be fixed right away.
Because strange smells indicate dangerous issues, it is best to schedule an emergency air conditioning service appointment as soon as you smell something strange.
#4 Moisture or Fluid Pooling Around the Unit
The area around the indoor unit in your Arlington, TX home should be dry. If there is moisture on the walls, floor, or on the unit, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service. If the condensate hose gets clogged, disconnected, or cracked, the condensation in the house will create moisture around the unit.
If you see fluid pooling around the unit, there is likely a refrigerant leak, which should be addressed immediately. When the refrigerant level gets too low, the unit can’t produce cold air; therefore, you should schedule an appointment for an emergency air conditioning service right away.
#5 Strange Noises
When the air conditioner in your Arlington, TX home runs, it is normal to hear a faint clicking sound when it cycles. If you hear any other noises, your should call an air conditioning service. The strange sounds indicate a problem. For example, a banging sound suggests a loose or broken part or an issue with the indoor or outdoor fan. A hissing sound indicates a refrigerant leak, and a high-pitched squealing sound is a significant cause for concern. This sound signifies high pressure in the unit, and you should turn it off immediately and schedule an appointment for emergency air conditioning service.
An HVAC tech can inspect the unit to figure out what is causing the noise so that they can fix the problem.
Why Choose Minuteman Heating & Air?
If you need to schedule an appointment for air conditioning service and want to work with the best HVAC company around, call Minuteman Heating & Air. We are a full-service HVAC company, proudly serving customers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for years. We are fully licensed and insured and are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Our HVAC techs are professionally trained, highly skilled, and qualified to handle any HVAC issue, whether it’s something simple or complex.
We have an excellent reputation in the community thanks to the excellent service we provide. We are an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau and have a 5-star rating on Google. In addition, we have been a screened and approved business for over five years, and they list us as an Elite Service.
Your comfort is our top priority, and if you have an HVAC issue that can’t wait, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you call for emergency air conditioning service, we will get a tech to your home as quickly as possible.
We provide a variety of HVAC services, including:
- Heating and cooling installation
- Heating and cooling maintenance
- Heating and cooling repair
- Zoned heating and cooling systems
- Ductless air conditioner installation, maintenance, and repair
- Duct cleaning service
If you need to have a new air conditioner installed, we are a premier dealer for Lennox and Dakin equipment, which are two of the top manufacturers in the business.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning service or any other HVAC service we provide, give us at Minuteman Heating & Air a call today.