4 Signs It’s Time To Call A Heating and AC Repair Service | Dallas, TX

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The heating and air conditioning system in your Dallas, TX home is essential to your comfort. The temperature during the summer gets very hot, and without your air conditioner, it will be impossible to be comfortable. Winters can get very cold; therefore, you need your heating system to be functioning properly to keep your home comfortable.

Many people spend a lot of time indoors in the winter to escape the cold and during the summer to escape the heat. If either part of your heater or AC isn’t working properly, you won’t have a place to escape the heat or cold, and you should call a heating and AC repair company immediately.

If your HVAC system is experiencing any of the following problems, it is best to call a professional immediately. If you wait to make the call, the problem can progress and can result in a higher repair bill. In some cases, the damage can worsen so much that the issue cannot be fixed, and you will need to replace the HVAC system.

#1 Broken Thermostat

The thermostat in your Dallas, TX home is your HVAC system’s brain. The thermostat tells the system to produce warm air or cold air. It also allows you to set a comfortable temperature. If the thermostat isn’t functioning properly, your heater and air conditioner won’t either.

There are a few signs to let you know your thermostat isn’t functioning properly.

• The thermostat is unresponsive even after you have changed the batteries.
• The system cycles more often than it should.
• The temperature in the home doesn’t match the temperature setting on the thermostat.

If you think your thermostat is broken, you should call a heating and AC repair service.

The HVAC tech can inspect the thermostat to determine whether it needs to be replaced. If your thermostat has reached the end of its lifespan, the tech from the heating and AC service can discuss your options.

Over the last several years, thermostat technology has improved greatly. There are thermostats available today that can help save money on your heating and cooling costs.

• Programmable thermostat: You can set a programmable thermostat to increase and decrease the temperature in your Dallas, TX home based on when you are home and when you aren’t. For example, you can set the temperature to decrease during the winter when nobody is home. You can also program the thermostat to increase the temperature before you get home, so you are walking into a warm and toasty home.

• Wi-Fi thermostat: A Wi-Fi thermostat can be controlled from anywhere in the world using your cellphone as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. You can use the thermostat app to turn the heat or air conditioner on and off, and you can adjust the temperature using the app. When you can adjust the thermostat settings with your phone, you can adjust the temperature before you leave and before you get home, saving a significant amount of money on your heating and cooling costs.

• Smart thermostat: If you have an Amazon Alexa or a Google Home, you can install a smart thermostat. You can control the thermostat with the sound of your voice when you’re home and use the device’s app on your phone when you aren’t home.

#2 The Heater Is Producing Cold Air

When you turn on the heat in your Dallas, TX home, you expect to feel warm air coming from the vents. If this is the first time you are using your heater during the heating season, you should let the system run for a few minutes. When the furnace isn’t running, the air ducts will cool down. When the heating cycle begins, and the handler turns on, you will feel cold air coming from the vents for the first several minutes. If you let the system run for a bit, you should start feeling warm air. If the heater produces cool air, you may need to call a heating and AC repair service.

You should also check the thermostat before calling a heating and AC service. The thermostat has a switch for the fan that can either be set to “auto” or “on.” If your furnace is going to produce warm air, the fan needs to be switched to “auto.” You should also check the temperature setting. It needs to be cooler in the home than the setting on the thermostat for the furnace to start working.

If everything checks out on your end, it is time to call a heating and AC repair service. There are a few issues that can cause the furnace to produce cold air.

• The flame sensor is dirty: Your furnace has several safety features, and one of them is the flame sensor. Over time, the flame sensor can get dirty. Failing to change the air filter regularly will also cause the flame sensor to get dirty. When the sensor gets dirty, the system will think that the burners aren’t lit, and the furnace will shut down. Dirty flame sensors should only be cleaned by an HVAC professional; therefore, it is best to call a heating and AC repair service right away.

• The limit switch isn’t working: The limit switch is another of your furnace’s safety features. The limit switch tells the fan to turn on and off. If it isn’t working properly, the an won’t get the signal to turn on and off, and it will continue running when the furnace has completed a heating cycle, and you will feel cold air coming from the vents.
  This is an issue that should only be handled by a professional, and it is best to schedule an appointment with a heating and AC repair service as soon as possible.

• The pilot light is out: If you have an older furnace with a pilot light in your Dallas, TX home, it has a device called a thermocouple. It tests if the pilot is lit or it isn’t. When the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple will turn off the gas or oil to the furnace burner, causing the system to produce cold air. It is best to have a licensed HVAC tech figure out why the pilot went out to resolve the problem and then light the pilot.

It is best to call an HVAC company as soon as the issue begins. The longer you wait to have the issue repaired, the longer your home will be cold.

#3 The Air Conditioner Is Producing Warm Air

If your air conditioner is producing warm air when it runs, check the thermostat setting. As mentioned above, the fan needs to be set to the “auto” for the system to function properly. Next, make sure the system is set to the cooling mode, and make sure the temperature in the house is warmer than the setting on the thermostat.

If the thermostat is set correctly, you will need to call a heating and AC repair service to determine why the air conditioner isn’t working properly. There are a few issues that can cause this problem, and you will need a professional to determine the cause.

• Clogged air filter: Your air conditioner requires adequate airflow to produce cold air. If the air filters are clogged, it will obstruct the airflow, preventing the system from producing cold air.

• Dirty evaporator coils: The evaporator coils play a major part in the cooling process. They take the warm air from the home and use it to produce cold air. If the coils are dirty, they cannot do their job, and the AC will produce cold air.

• Low refrigerant or refrigerant leaks: Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to produce cold air. If the refrigerant level is low or is leaking, it will be impossible for the system to produce cold air.

• The compressor isn’t functioning properly: The compressor’s job is to compress the refrigerant, allowing it to expand and cool down the cooling coils. If the compressor isn’t functioning properly, it will be impossible for the AC to produce cold air.

• Power issues: If the HVAC’s electrical circuit trips, there won’t be any power going to the system; it won’t produce cold air.

Because so many issues can cause this one problem, it is best to call a heating and AC repair service to diagnose and repair the problem.

#4 Foul Smells When the System Is Running

The heated or cool air created by your HVAC system should be clean and odorless. If you smell something foul when the system is running, you should schedule an emergency appointment with a heating and AC repair service. The smell the system is making can help the tech determine the cause.

• Mold: A moldy or musty smell is often due to mold in the air ducts. The ducts in your Dallas, TX home are dark, and the humidity can create moisture in the ducts, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold. When mold grows in the ducts, mold spores will circulate in the air when the heater or air conditioner is running, creating a foul smell. An HVAC tech can inspect the ducts, and if they find mold, it can be eradicated with an antimicrobial fogger. If the ducts are mold-free, there could be mold in the air conditioner, which is more difficult to eradicate, and you might need to replace the system.

• Rotten eggs: If your home smells like rotten eggs, there could be a gas leak, which is an emergency. The first thing you should do is turn off the HVAC system, leave the house and call 911. The fire department will turn off the gas to your home to prevent an explosion. When your home is deemed safe, you will need to call a heating and AC repair service to repair the leak so you can safely run your furnace.

• Burning: A burning smell when your heater or air conditioner is running signifies an electrical issue. This is a serious problem because any electrical issues can spark an electrical fire, putting your home and family at great risk. If you smell something burning, turn off the system immediately and schedule an emergency appointment with a heating and AC repair company.

Foul smells coming from the heater or AC are very serious. Mold can make your family sick, a burning smell can cause a fire, and a gas leak can cause an explosion; therefore, you should call a heating and AC repair service as soon as you detect these smells.

#5 Restricted Airflow

When you stand in front of the vents in your Dallas, TX home and the HVAC system is running, you should feel a powerful rush of cold or warm air. Restricted airflow will cause the HVAC system to work harder to keep your home at the desired temperature, causing your energy bills to increase and can decrease the system’s lifespan. If you feel minimal airflow, you should call a heating and AC repair service.

There are a few issues that can cause reduced airflow, and it is best to call a heating and AC repair company to determine the cause.

• Clogged air ducts: When dirt, dust, and other debris build up in the air ducts, it can obstruct the airflow and affect the air quality in the home. If the ducts are clogged, an HVAC tech can remove the debris, allowing air to flow freely from the vents.

• Damaged air ducts: If the air ducts are damaged, the heated or cool air will escape through the damaged area, reducing the airflow coming from the vents. A heating and AC repair service can send an HVAC tech to inspect the ducts for damage and make the necessary repair.

• A faulty furnace or AC blower: The blower is designed to push the heated or cool air from the system to the vents. If it isn’t working properly, the air won’t be forced to the vents, resulting in poor airflow. A heating and AC repair company can send a tech to your home to repair or replace the blower.

Because reduced airflow will affect your comfort, increase your energy bills and reduce your HVAC system’s lifespan, it is best to call a heating and AC repair service right away.

Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas?

If your heating or air conditioning system isn’t working properly and you want to work with the best heating and AC repair service around, contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas. We are a full-service HVAC company that has been servicing customers in the area since 1988. Many of our customers have been loyal customers for as many as 20 years, thanks to the excellent service we provide.

Our techs are highly trained, NATE certified, and receive ongoing training to ensure they are familiar with the latest HVAC technology. If you have an HVAC issue and we aren’t open, don’t worry. We provide emergency service and are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To schedule an appointment for heating and AC repair, give us a call today.