When winter ends and spring arrives, you no longer rely on your heating system, and you will start needing the air conditioner to keep you cool and comfortable.
The average winter temperature in Mansfield, TX, is between 92 and 97 degrees. Temperatures this high can put you at risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke and can be very uncomfortable. When it gets this hot outdoors, many people spend most of their time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat. If your air conditioner isn’t functioning correctly, it will be impossible to remain cool and comfortable.
Your air conditioner is a complex system, and unless you have professional HVAC training, you shouldn’t try to fix problems yourself. One symptom can be due to a number of issues; therefore, it’s best to call an air conditioning service to make the necessary repair. In addition, if you make a mistake during the DIY repair, you could do further damage that will be more expensive to repair.
If the air conditioner in your Mansfield, TX home experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to schedule an appointment for air conditioning service as quickly as possible.
#1 The Unit Produces Warm Air
This is a very serious issue because if the air conditioner in your Mansfield, TX home produces warm air, it will be impossible for your home to stay cool.
You should check a couple of things before calling an air conditioning service. The last thing you want is to spend money on a service call when the issue is due to something you can handle yourself.
- Check the air filter: Air conditioning manufacturers recommend replacing the air filter every 90 days. If a household member has allergies or respiratory issues or you have pets, it’s best to replace the air filter every 45 days. If you’ve neglected to change the air filter on schedule, the air won’t move through the unit properly, causing it to overheat, and you will feel warm air coming from the vents. If you check the air filter and it’s clogged, replacing it should solve the problem.
- Check the thermostat: Thermostat setting errors are another common cause of this problem; therefore, you should check the thermostat setting before calling an air conditioning service. First, make sure the thermostat is set to the cooling mode and the fan is set to auto. If the fan is on, the unit will keep running between air conditioning cycles, and you will feel warm air coming from the vents. Finally, check the temperature setting. It has to be warmer in the home than the setting on the thermostat for the air conditioner to kick on and produce cold air.
If everything checks out on your end, it’s time to call an air conditioning service. A few issues can cause the unit to produce warm air, and you will need an HVAC professional to find the cause of the problem.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The unit’s evaporator coils extract the hot air from the home to begin the cooling process. If the coils have frozen, they can’t do their job and start the cooling process. A few issues can cause the evaporator coils to freeze, including:
- Dirty air filter
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Clogged drainpipe
- Refrigerant problems
- You ran the air conditioner when it was too cold outside.
- An air conditioning service can send a tech to your home to thaw the coils and figure out why they froze in the first place so the necessary repair can be made, preventing the coils from freezing again.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to produce cold air. If the refrigerant leaks, your air conditioner cannot produce cold air. An HVAC tech can repair the leak and refill the refrigerant, and your air conditioner will start producing cold air.
- Lack of electricity: Your air conditioner’s indoor and outdoor units work together to keep your home comfortable. If the outdoor unit isn’t getting power, the system cannot produce cold air. A tech can inspect the outdoor compressor to figure out why it has no power to resolve the problem.
#2 Poor Airflow
If you don’t feel a powerful rush of cold air coming from the vents in your Mansfield, TX home when the AC runs, you should immediately call an air conditioning service.
If the airflow from the vents is restricted, your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep your home cool, which can cause a significant increase in your energy bills. If you allow the problem to persist, the extra work will put added strain on the air conditioner, reducing its maximum lifespan.
A few issues can cause restricted airflow, and you will need an HVAC professional to determine the cause.
- Clogged air ducts: The air ducts allow the cold air to travel from the air conditioner to the vents in your home. Over time, dirt, dust, and other debris accumulate in the air ducts, restricting the airflow. Clogged air ducts shouldn’t be ignored because dirty air ducts can affect your home’s air quality. When the system runs, the debris will repeatedly circulate in the air and cause your family to develop allergy symptoms. If someone in your home has a chronic lung or respiratory issue, breathing these contaminants can make their symptoms and condition worse.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to your home to clean the air ducts, improving the airflow and your home’s air quality. - Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your home are hidden; therefore, if they’re damaged, you won’t know. The only sign of damaged air ducts is poor airflow. The cold air produced by the air conditioner will escape from the damaged area, restricting the airflow.
An HVAC tech can inspect the air ducts for damage and make the necessary repair. - Broken blower: The blower forces the cold air from the system to the vents located throughout your home. If the blower isn’t working, the air won’t be forced to the vents, and you will feel minimal airflow from the vents.
A tech can inspect the blower to determine if it can be fixed or if replacing it is the better option, and the airflow will be restored.
Poor airflow can affect your air conditioner, bank account, and your family’s health; therefore, it’s best to call an air conditioning service as soon as the problem starts.
#3 Strange Smells In Your Home
When you turn on your air conditioner for the first time during the cooling season, it’s normal to smell the dust that had settled when the unit wasn’t in use. Fortunately, the smell will dissipate after a few minutes. If you smell any other strange odors in your Mansfield, TX home when the air conditioner runs, you should call an emergency air conditioning service, as the possible causes can put your home and family at risk.
- Burning: A burning smell indicates an electrical problem, which can start an electrical fire that can quickly destroy your home. It’s best to turn off the unit immediately and don’t turn it back on until an air conditioning service has fixed the problem.
- Mold: The most common cause of a moldy smell is mold in the air ducts. The ducts are hidden and dark, and when your home gets humid, moisture can form in the ducts, creating the perfect environment for mold growth.
Mold in the air ducts is a very serious problem. When the air conditioner runs, mold spores will circulate in the air. According to the CDC, mold exposure causes a variety of health issues, including;- Allergy symptoms
- Respiratory issues
- Skin rashes
- Headaches
- Eye irritation
- Weakened immune system
- If someone in your home has a chronic lung or respiratory condition, mold exposure can make the symptoms and condition worse.
An air conditioning service will send a tech to your home to inspect the air ducts. If they find mold in the ducts, an antimicrobial fogger can eliminate the mold and prevent mold growth in the future. If the air ducts are mold-free, there could be mold in the air conditioner. This often happens if you neglect to maintain the unit regularly, and the mold can be more challenging to eradicate. If the tech cannot eliminate the mold, you will need to replace the air conditioner.
#4 The Unit Makes Strange Sounds
When the air conditioner runs, you’ll hear a faint clicking sound when the unit cycles. If the clicking sound occurs more frequently, you will need to call an air conditioning service.
In addition, a banging or clanging sound indicates loose or broken parts in the system. If you ignore the issue, further damage will occur, and it will cost more to fix.
A high-pitched squealing sound indicates high pressure in the unit, which can be very dangerous. In this case, you should turn off the air conditioner immediately and call an emergency air conditioning service.
If you hear anything other than an occasional faint clicking sound, it’s best to call an air conditioning service to have a professional inspect the unit to determine if it should be repaired.
#5 Moisture or Leaks
Moisture on or around the air conditioner in your Mansfield, TX home indicates a clogged, broken, or disconnected condensate hose. Although this is a relatively simple fix, you should immediately call an air conditioning service. The moisture around the unit can result in water damage and mold growth, which can be expensive to fix.
Fluid leaking around the unit indicates a refrigerant leak, which is a very serious issue. Without an adequate amount of refrigerant, the system cannot produce cold air.
An air conditioning service can send a tech to your home to inspect the unit. The leak can be fixed in many cases, and the tech can refill the refrigerant.
If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, you have a problem. Air conditioners made before 2010 use R-22 refrigerants. The EPA deemed R-22 highly toxic and harmful to the environment, and production of the refrigerant slowed. On January 1, 2020, the U.S. government banned the production of R-22. An air conditioning service can fix the leak but won’t have the refrigerant to refill the unit, and it will need to be replaced.
#6 Broken Thermostat
The thermostat in your home is the HVAC system’s brain, and it tells the system to heat or cool the home and also the desired temperature. If the thermostat isn’t working, the HVAC system won’t either, and there are a few signs your thermostat isn’t working correctly.
- The thermostat doesn’t light up, even after replacing the batteries.
- The thermostat is unresponsive.
- The system cycles too frequently.
- The temperature in the home doesn’t match the thermostat setting.
An air conditioning repair service can send a tech to check the thermostat and replace it if necessary. The tech can also discuss the benefits of programmable, WiFi, and Smart thermostats, helping you choose the best type of thermostat for you.
Call Minuteman Heating & Air
If the air conditioner in your Mansfield, TX home isn’t working correctly and you want to work with the best air conditioning system in the area, call Minuteman Heating & Air. We are a full-service HVAC company, serving customers in the area for years.
Our HVAC techs have undergone thousands of hours of professional training and have the knowledge and skill to handle all HVAC services, including installation, replacement, maintenance, and repair.
Your comfort is our top priority, so we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have an issue that can’t wait, we’ll do our best to get tech to your home as quickly as possible.
We have an excellent reputation in the community and are an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau. Home Advisor named us an Elite Service, and we have a 5-star rating on Google.
To schedule an appointment for air conditioning service or any other HVAC service, give Minuteman Heating & Air a call today.