6 Issues That Require A Call To An Air Conditioning Service | Mansfield, TX
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Every system in your Mansfield, TX home is essential to your daily life. While you rely on every system, your air conditioning system becomes the most important during the summer. Texas summers are very hot. On a typical day, it is not uncommon for the temperature to reach 95 degrees. If it is also humid, it will feel even hotter. If you are like many people, you spend a lot of time in your air-conditioned home to escape the heat outside. During the hottest time of the year, the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to break down completely. If this happens, your home will be hot and uncomfortable.
The best way to prevent a complete air conditioner breakdown is to recognize the early signs of an issue with your air conditioner. If you can recognize the signs early, you can call an air conditioning service to inspect the system before a minor issue escalates to a major one that can cause a complete breakdown.
If your air conditioner is experiencing any of the issues below, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service immediately.
#1 Strange Noises
If the air conditioner in your home is functioning properly, it should be quiet when it is running. The most you should hear is a quiet clicking sound when the system kicks on and off. If you hear strange sounds coming from your air conditioner, it signifies an issue and will require immediate air conditioning service. There are various possible noises to alert you to an issue, and each different sound signifies a specific issue.
- Banging: Banging often signifies a loose or broken part, such as a piston pin, crankshaft, or a connecting rod. It can also be due to an unbalanced blower, or the compressor needs to be replaced.
- Clicking: It is normal to hear a clicking sound occasionally when the system kicks on and off; however, if the clicking is constant, you should call an air conditioning service. This often signifies a failing thermostat or a defective control.
- Buzzing: A buzzing sound can signify one of a variety of issues such as loose parts, debris in the unit, the fan blades are out of balance, or the copper lines coming in from outside are rubbing against something. It could also be something simple like a dirty condenser coil or a dirty air filter.
- Squealing: A squealing sound often signifies an issue with the outdoor fan motor or the indoor blower motor.
- Screaming: A screaming sound indicates high internal pressure that can be very dangerous. If you hear this sound, turn off the air conditioner immediately and call an air conditioner service.
- Humming: A humming sound can indicate loose refrigerant piping that is vibrating, causing the humming sound.
Some strange noises are serious, and some significant issues that can be easily repaired. If you ignore the issue, the problem will escalate and cause serious damage, resulting in a complete breakdown.
If you hear strange noises coming from the air conditioner in your Mansfield, TX home, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service immediately to prevent further damage.
#2 Thermostat Issues
The thermostat in your home is your HVAC system’s brain. It lets your system know when to produce cold air and when to produce hot air. It also tells the system how warm or cold you want your home to be. If the thermostat isn’t functioning properly, your HVAC system won’t either. There are a few issues that signify an issue with the thermostat and would require an appointment with an air conditioning service.
- The thermostat is unresponsive.
- The air conditioner won’t turn on.
- The air conditioner is frequently cycling.
Before you call an air conditioner service, try changing the batteries. If the batteries are dead, the thermostat won’t work. If your thermostat is faulty, an HVAC tech can discuss your options. Thermostat technology has evolved over the years, and you can replace your thermostat with one that will help save money on your cooling costs.
- Programmable thermostats: Programmable thermostats are very popular today because they allow you to program the system to turn your HVAC system on and off at scheduled times. You can also program certain times you want the system to turn up and down. For example, you can program the thermostat to increase the temperature in your home on a summer day when you leave the house and decrease the temperature before you come home, allowing you to return home to a cool house. When your system isn’t running on full-blast all day, it will save a significant amount of money on your energy bills.
- Wi-Fi thermostat: You can control a Wi-Fi thermostat manually, and you can also control it from your smartphone or tablet. As long as you have an internet connection, you can control your heating and air conditioning system from anywhere in the world.
- Smart thermostats: If you have a Google Nest or an Amazon Alexa in your home, you can have a compatible smart thermostat installed. You can control the thermostat using the sound of your voice when you are at home. When you are away from home, you can use the Alexa or Nest app on your phone to control the thermostat.
If an HVAC tech determines you need to replace your existing thermostat, they can discuss your options and the benefits of each.
#3 There Is Warm Air Coming From the Vents
One of the most obvious signs you need to call an air conditioning service is if there is warm air coming from the vents in your home. To avoid an unnecessary service call, you should check the thermostat setting first. If your system will produce cold air, the thermostat needs to be set to the cooling mode. Next, check the thermostat setting. If it is colder in the house than the setting on the thermostat, the system won’t produce cold air.
There are a few issues that can cause this problem.
- Dirty air filters
- Frozen evaporator coil
- No power going to the outside
- The system is low on refrigerant
Because there are so many different problems that can be causing the problem, you should call an air conditioning service. It will take the expertise of an HVAC tech to figure out why your system isn’t producing cold air so they can repair the issue. It will be impossible for your air conditioner to keep your home cool until you make the call.
#4 Poor Airflow Coming From the Vents
If the air coming from the vents in your Mansfield, TX home is weak, you should call an air conditioning service immediately. Poor airflow can make it difficult for your system to keep your home cool and comfortable. In addition, if the airflow is weak, your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep your home cool. This excess work can cause an increase in your cooling costs and decrease the maximum lifespan of your air conditioner.
There are a few issues that can cause weak airflow, and immediate air conditioning service is essential.
- Clogged air ducts: Clogged air ducts are the most common cause of poor airflow. Five pounds of dirt, dust, pet dander, and other debris can accumulate in the air ducts in just one year, causing an obstruction. Clogged air ducts can cause poor airflow and affect the air quality in your Mansfield, TX home. When your HVAC system is running, the debris in the air ducts will circulate through the air your family breathes.
- Damaged air ducts: If there is a leak in the air ducts, the cold air will escape through the leak, resulting in poor airflow coming from the vents.
- Clogged air filter: Your air conditioner can only produce as much air as it pulls in from your home into the return vents. A clogged air filter limits the amount of air your air conditioner can pull in from the home, resulting in poor airflow.
- Frozen evaporator coil: If the evaporator coil is frozen, it will block the air that passes over the coil into the ducts, causing poor airflow.
- Faulty blower: The blower pushes the heated or air-conditioned air from the system to the ducts and then to the vents. If the blower isn’t working properly, the cool air will have trouble reaching the vents.
It is best to call an air conditioning service when the problem first begins. Your home won’t be cool until you make the call and the repair is complete.
#5 Strange Odors
If you smell something strange when the air conditioner in your Mansfield, TX home is running, you should call an air conditioning service immediately.
If you smell mold, it is a serious problem, and you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service immediately. It is not uncommon for mold to grow in the air ducts. The ducts are dark, and if moisture enters the air ducts, it creates the perfect environment for mold. If there is mold in the air ducts, the spores will circulate through the air your family breathes when the air conditioner is running. Breathing in mold is very dangerous. It can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues and can weaken your immune system. If a member of your household has a chronic respiratory or lung issue, breathing in mold spores can worsen their condition.
When you call an air conditioning service, an HVAC tech will inspect the air ducts for mold. If they find any, it can be removed with an antimicrobial fogger. The fogger will also prevent future mold growth.
There could also be mold in the air conditioner itself. This is a serious issue and may require an air conditioner replacement.
If your smell something burning when your air conditioner is running, you should turn it off immediately and call an air conditioning service. This smell often signifies an electrical issue causing the wires to burn. If you wait too long to call an air conditioning service, the short in the wiring can spark an electrical fire.
#6 Moisture Around the Unit
If you see moisture or water pooling around your HVAC system, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service immediately.
The moisture could be due to a clogged or leaking condensate hose, which is a simple fix. If you don’t address the problem quickly, the moisture can cause water damage and mold growth in the area.
The water could also be coming from a frozen coil. When the coil freezes, it thaws, dripping water in the area. When the coil freezes again, it will thaw again, causing water to continue dripping, causing a puddle around the air conditioner in your Mansfield, TX home.
Finally, the issue could be a refrigerant leak, which is more serious. Not only is a puddle of refrigerant hazardous to your family’s health, but it will also affect the way your air conditioner functions. If you don’t call an air conditioner company quickly, the low refrigerant level can cause a complete AC breakdown, and a replacement will be necessary.
Why Choose Minuteman Heating and Air?
If your air conditioner needs to be repaired and your want to work with the best air conditioning service in the business, schedule an appointment with Minuteman Heating and Air. We have been serving customers in the area for years and have an excellent reputation in the community.
Our HVAC techs are highly trained and NATE certified and can handle all air conditioning issues. HVAC technology is constantly evolving, which is why our techs are required to receive ongoing training. We do this to be sure they can install, maintain and repair the newest systems and understand the latest technology.
We understand that our customers have busy schedules, which is why we offer evening and weekend appointments.
We have an excellent reputation in the community and have a 5-star rating on Google. We are also an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning service or any other HVAC service, give us at Minuteman Heating & Air a call today.