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Summer in Arlington, TX, is very hot. On an average summer day, the temperature can reach 95 degrees. Also, summers tend to be humid, which makes it feel hotter than it really is.

During the summer, many people spend more time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat. The last thing you want on a hot summer day is for your air conditioner to break down. If this happens, it will be impossible to remain comfortable in your home.

The best way to ensure your air conditioner will keep your home cool all summer long is to be able to recognize any issues early. If you can detect problems with your air conditioner, you can schedule an appointment or air conditioning service right away, which will prevent a minor issue from becoming a major one.

#1 Warm Air Coming From The Vents

If you turn on the air conditioner in your home and the air is warm, you may need to schedule an appointment for an air conditioning service. You don’t want to waste money on a service call for something you can fix yourself; therefore, you should check the thermostat settings before scheduling the appointment.

First, your system needs to be set on the cooling mode. If it isn’t, your system will produce heated air rather than cool. Next, check the temperature setting. If it is colder in your home than the setting on the thermostat, the system won’t kick on until it gets warmer in the home. If you adjust the thermostat, your problem will be solved.

If the thermostat is set correctly and there is still warm air coming from the vents, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service. There are a few issues that could be causing the problem, and it will take an experienced HVAC tech to determine which one is causing the issue. They include:

• A faulty thermostat
• A faulty compressor
• The refrigerant level is low
• Your system has reached its maximum lifespan

It is best to call an air conditioning service as soon as the problem starts. The sooner you make the call, the sooner your home will be cool and comfortable again.

#2 Limited Airflow

If the cold air coming from the vents in your home isn’t coming out strong, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning service.

The issue could be something simple like a dirty air filter, which is a simple fix. The issue could also be with the air ducts. The air ducts are responsible for delivering cold or heated air from the HVAC system to the various vents in your home. In just one year, up to five pounds of dust, dirt, pet dander, and other debris can build up in the air ducts, creating an obstruction. When debris prevents the flow of cold air, your air conditioner will need to work harder to reach the desired temperature. This can cause an increase in your energy bills and could reduce the lifespan of your air conditioner. In addition, the debris will circulate through the air when the system is running, which can cause members of your household to have allergy symptoms.

The issue could also be caused by damage to your air ducts. If there are holes or cracks in the ducts, the cold air will escape, resulting in inadequate airflow.

The issue may not have anything to do with the air ducts at all, and your blower could be malfunctioning. The blower is responsible for pushing the cold air to the vents in your Arlington, TX home. If the blower isn’t functioning properly, it will be difficult for the air-conditioned air to reach the vents.

When you call an air conditioning service, they will send a tech to your home. The tech will inspect the air ducts, checking for an accumulation of debris or damage. They will also inspect the system to ensure the blower and other components are functioning properly.

If you schedule an appointment for air conditioning service right away, your home will be cool and comfortable in no time.

#3 Thermostat Issues

The thermostat in your home is essential for your HVAC system to function properly. The thermostat is your HVAC system’s brain, which tells it when to turn on and off. The thermostat also tells your HVAC system how warm or cool you want your home to be. If the thermostat isn’t functioning properly, your air conditioner won’t function properly either.

There are a few tell-tale signs that your thermostat is faulty.

• The thermostat doesn’t light up, even after you have changed the batteries.
• The air conditioner won’t turn on.
• The air conditioner remains on, even after your home has reached the desired temperature.
• The air conditioner is kicking on and off constantly.

When you call an air conditioning company, a tech will test your thermostat. If they determine that your thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced, you should consider available options. There are a few types of thermostats that can help you save money on your energy bills and give you more control over your air conditioner.

• Programmable thermostats: Programmable thermostats are less expensive than the other options, but they are effective in saving money. You can program the thermostat to turn your system up or down, depending on your schedule. For example, you can program the thermostat to turn the AC down when nobody is home, and your home doesn’t need to be cool. You can also program it to turn up before you return home, so your home will be cool and comfortable when you get home.

• Wi-Fi thermostats: Wi-Fi thermostats can be controlled using a smartphone or tablet. You can do everything on these devices that you can do using the thermostat on the wall, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.

• Smart thermostats: You can purchase a compatible smart thermostat if you have an Amazon Alexa or Google Nest in your Arlington, TX home. You can control the thermostat using the sound of your voice when you are at home. If you aren’t home, the thermostat can be controlled using the app.

The tech from an air conditioning service can discuss the options available and the benefits, helping you make an informed decision.

#4 Strange Smells When the System Is Running

If your air conditioner in your Arlington, TX home is functioning properly, it should emit a smell when it is running. It is not uncommon to smell dust when you turn on the system for the first time during the cooling season, and the smell will dissipate within a minute or two.

If you smell mold when the system is running, it is a major cause for concern. Your air ducts are dark, and moisture can build up in the ducts when it is humid, which is the perfect breeding ground for mold. Mold in the air ducts is a very serious issue. When the system is running, mold spores will circulate through the air that your family breathes. Breathing in mold spores is very harmful to your health. Not only can this cause allergy symptoms, but it can also cause respiratory issues and a weakened immune system. If a member of your family has a chronic lung or respiratory issue, breathing in mold can worsen their condition.

A tech from an air conditioning service can inspect your air ducts for mold. If they find any, an antimicrobial fogger will eradicate the mold and prevent future growth.

If the tech cannot find mold in the air ducts, there could be mold growth in the air conditioner. If the tech is unable to eradicate the mold, you may need to replace your air conditioner.

A burning smell when the system is running is a major cause for alarm, and you should immediately turn off the air conditioner and call an air conditioning service. The burning smell could be due to a short in the wiring, which is a significant fire hazard.

#5 Strange Sounds When the Air Conditioner Is Running

A properly functioning AC system should be relatively quiet. If the system in your Arlington, TX home is working properly, you shouldn’t hear anything more than a quiet clicking sound when the system kicks on and off.

If you hear anything else, you should call an air conditioning service immediately.

• Banging: A banging sound signifies loose parts, a faulty compressor, or that your air conditioner has reached the end of its lifespan.

• Buzzing: A buzzing sound could indicate loose or unbalanced fan blades in the outdoor unit. It could also be due to an obstruction near the copper lines connected to the system.

• Screeching: A screeching noise could be due to a broken motor in the outdoor condenser. It could also be due to a faulty compressor.

• Squealing: A squealing sound signifies high pressure in the system, and you should turn it off immediately and call an air conditioning service.

If you ignore the issue and don’t call an air conditioning service, the issue will only get worse, eventually causing a complete AC breakdown.

#6 High Humidity In Your Home

The air conditioner in your home is designed to keep your home cool; however, that isn’t its only function. Your AC is also designed to remove humidity from the home, making it more comfortable. If your home is unusually humid, you should call an air conditioning service. Your system may be tuned up or recalibrated by an HVAC professional. High humidity is also a sign that your system has reached the end of its lifespan.

When you call an air conditioning service, a tech will inspect your system to determine the cause of the problem so it can be resolved.

#7 Moisture Or Liquid Pooling Around the Air Conditioner

There area around the air conditioner in your Arlington, TX home should always be dry. If you see any moisture or liquid pooling around the system, you should schedule an appointment for an air conditioning service.

Moisture around the unit could be due to a broken or disconnected condensate hose. This is a relatively simple fix, but if it goes ignored, the moisture can promote mold growth and cause water damage.

Your system could also be leaking refrigerant, which is a more serious problem. If your system is leaking refrigerant, it won’t be able to keep your home cool.

If you have an older system and it is leaking fluid, you have an even more serious problem on your hands. Most older systems use R-22 refrigerant. The United States government has deemed R-22 highly toxic and harmful to the environment. In 2015, the government placed restrictions on R-22 and suggested that manufacturers begin eliminating R-22 from their cooling systems. In 2020, the government banned R-22 completely.

If your system uses R-22 and your system is leaking refrigerant, the techs working for your local air conditioning service won’t be able to find R-22, and the only way to keep your home cool and comfortable will be to replace your existing system with a newer model that doesn’t use R-22.

Why Choose Minuteman Heating and Air Conditioning?

If you need to schedule an appointment for an air conditioning service and want to work with the best in the business, contact Minuteman Heating and Air Conditioning. We have been serving customers in the area for many years, and your comfort is our main priority.

Our HVAC techs are highly trained, skilled, and NATE certified. This should give you peace of mind that we can handle any job you have for us.

We take pride in providing excellent service, which is why we have such a great reputation in the community and the industry. We are an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and have a 5-star rating on Google. Home Advisor lists us as a Top Rated business, Screened & Approved, and an Elite Service business.

To schedule an appointment for air conditioning service or any other HVAC service, give us at Minuteman Heating & Air a call today.