Heating And AC Repair: Top 7 Signs That Your HVAC Is Losing Efficiency | Mansfield, TX
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If you are like most homeowners, you may have found yourself shivering in the winter cold or sweating buckets during summer due to an inefficient air conditioner. For most of us, the air conditioner is not a blip on our radar until we are scrambling for funds for an emergency heating and AC repair service.
Being one of the biggest investments in any home, you may want to keep your HVAC running as long as possible. It is important to look out for the following signs if you want to keep your unit running at optimal levels.
1. An Unexplainable Hike in Electric Bills
A high electricity bill could result from a mistake from the utility company and inefficient appliances such as freezers, refrigerators, or water heaters. Also, your home may be poorly insulated, leading to high energy use when heating or cooling it. If you have ruled out all of these, the culprit could be an inefficient air conditioner.
When your HVAC is inefficient, it overcompensates to provide your Mansfield, TX home with the same level of heating or cooling. While you might not notice this as the unit is running, it will reflect on your energy bills. The best way to resolve this is by having a heating and AC repair technician inspect the unit.
2. Your Unit Is Blowing Warm Air
Some of the reasons your unit is blowing warm air rather than cooling your home include:
- Wrong thermostat settings – While this may sound silly, it is often the most likely cause. Check that the fan is not set to auto or on.
- Low refrigerant levels – Refrigerant is what gives your HVAC the ability to cool your home. In case it leaks, it loses its cooling power, thus blowing warm air. You will need a heating and AC technician to immediately identify and fix the leak, or you could end up with a costly repair if not an HVAC replacement.
- Restriction of airflow – A clogged filter and blocked return vents are the most common causes of airflow restriction to and from your unit. Regular heating and AC repair and maintenance can help minimize the chances of such occurrences.
- Leaky ducts – It is not uncommon for the ductwork to be damaged by rodents, birds, or construction and remodeling projects. In this case, the cooled air from your unit may be getting lost in your attic, crawl space, or walls, resulting in your unit producing warm air. Heating and AC repair technician could help inspect the ductwork and repair any leakages.
- The outdoor unit is not getting any power supply – This often happens due to the circuit breaker tripping or a blown fuse. You can check whether the outdoor unit is receiving any power from the fuse or circuit breaker panel. If not, consult a heating and AC repair professional immediately, as this could be a sign of a serious underlying issue.
3. Unusual Sounds from Your Unit
Modern air conditioners are quiet as they have sound-dampening features and variable speed compressors that keep noise levels quite low. You should take action when you hear unfamiliar noises such as banging, humming, screaming, rattling, and whirring noises. Different noises mean different possible issues; therefore, it would be best to have your unit checked by a qualified heating and AC repair technician.
4. Your Heating and AC Repair Needs Are Too Often and the Costs Too High
Keeping your air conditioner running optimally requires occasional maintenance, which should not be costly. When you start receiving exorbitant repair estimates, you might want to consider replacing it.
5. Your Unit Will Not Turn Off
Two reasons why your air conditioner will not turn off are a stuck relay and a malfunctioned thermostat. These inefficiencies are mostly due to dirty evaporator coils, blocked or dirty condensers, clogged air filters, or even low refrigerant levels. Your heating and AC repair technician will advise you on whether cleaning and repairing the unit works or if you need to replace the entire system.
6. Clogged or Dirty Air Filters
Although your unit’s air filter is meant to trap dust, dirt, hair, and other particles in the air before they find their way into your air conditioner, it should not get so grimy that it gets clogged. If this happens, your unit will not be able to draw in the amount of air that will comfortably cool or heat your home. Experts recommend that you replace your unit’s air filters once every month. You might want to change them more frequently if you have pets or someone you live with has respiratory issues.
7. The Age of Your Equipment
Ideally, your unit should last anywhere between 15 to 25 years. If you live in warmer regions such as Mansfield, TX, your unit’s lifespan will be close to the 15-year mark. However, your unit’s lifespan depends on how well you maintain it and whether it was installed correctly.
Although your unit may keep running and cooling your home, its performance and efficiency will drop considerably after the 10th year. If you think your unit is on its last legs, it might not be worth spending money repairing and maintaining it.
You will need to watch for the above signs and contact a heating and AC repair technician if something is unsettling. Your technician will advise you on whether a repair will do or if you need to replace your HVAC. Keep in mind that though replacement costs might be high, this will be compensated for through lower electricity bills and less frequent repairs.
Choose Minuteman Heating & Air
At Minuteman Heating & Air, we are committed to providing Mansfield, TX residents with the highest-quality HVAC solutions. Our technicians are not only heavily trained and experienced but they are also equipped with the latest technology to adequately diagnose and repair your equipment. Customer service is at the core of our service provision. Get in touch with us today for more information.