6 Signs You Need To Call An Air Conditioning Repair Service | Dallas, TX

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Some people love the summer heat, and some hate it. Summers in Dallas, TX, can reach 96 degrees, which is often too hot to spend time outdoors comfortably. Even people who love the summer heat have trouble enjoying the outdoors when it is this hot.

During the summer, many people spend a lot of time in their air-conditioned homes to escape the heat. This is a great solution as long as your air conditioner is functioning properly. If it isn’t, you won’t have an escape from the heat.

If you want to ensure your air conditioner will keep your home cool all summer long and continue to work into these fall days it’s important to identify issues early so you can call an air conditioning repair service. If you can detect early issues, you can prevent a minor issue from becoming a major one that can cause your system to shut down completely.

If your air conditioner is experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment for a repair as soon as possible.

#1 Your AC Is Producing Warm Air

When you turn on the AC in your home, you expect to feel cold air coming from the vents. If the air is warm, you may need to call an air conditioning repair service. One of the most common causes is user error. If your thermostat isn’t set correctly, your system won’t function properly.

First, your system needs to be set to the cooling mode. If it isn’t, your system won’t produce cold air. Next, check the temperature setting. If it is cooler in your home than the setting on the thermostat, your air conditioner won’t produce cold air. If you checked the thermostat and it is set correctly, it is time to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair. There are several issues that could be causing this problem, and you will need an HVAC professional to determine the actual cause.

• Dirty air filter: If your air filters are dirty, the air won’t move through the system. This will put excess strain on the system, causing it to produce warm air. When you call an air conditioning repair service, an HVAC tech will check the air filters to determine if they need to be changed.

• Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils play an important part in cooling your home. The coils extract the heat from your home and use it to start the cooling process. When moisture collects on the coils, they can freeze, and the heat transfer will be prevented, causing your air conditioner to produce cold air.

• Low refrigerant level: Over time, the refrigerant in your air conditioner can get low. If there isn’t enough refrigerant in the system, it won’t be able to produce cold air.

• Refrigerant leak: If your system is leaking refrigerant, the system won’t have enough charge to complete the cooling cycle, and your system will produce cold air.

• Now power to the outdoor unit: A lack of power to the outdoor unit will make it impossible for your system to produce cold air. Before you call an air conditioning repair service, make sure that the circuit in your electrical panel hasn’t tripped. If it hasn’t, you will need an HVAC tech to determine why there is a lack of power.

#2 Reduced Airflow

If the air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home is functioning properly, you should feel a powerful rush of cold air when you stand in front of the vents. If the airflow is poor, it will be difficult for your air conditioner to keep your home cool. Your system will have to work overtime cooling the home, which will cause a significant increase in your energy bills. In addition, the added strain can reduce the lifespan of your air conditioner.

If the airflow is poor, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair. A few problems can obstruct the airflow, and you will need an HVAC tech to determine the cause.

• Clogged air ducts: This is the most common cause of reduced airflow. When dirt, dust, and other debris build up in the air ducts, it can obstruct the airflow. Clogged ducts can also affect the air quality in your home. When the system is running, the debris will circulate through the air, which can cause allergy symptoms. An HVAC tech can clean the ducts, allowing the air to flow freely.
• Damaged air ducts: If your air ducts are cracked or damaged, the cold air will escape through the ducts before reaching the vents, causing poor airflow. When you call an air conditioning repair company, an HVAC tech will inspect your air ducts for damage so they can make the necessary repair.

• Faulty blower: The blower is responsible for pushing cold air from the system to the vents. If the blower isn’t functioning properly, the cold air won’t reach the vents.

Because poor airflow can cause issues with the temperature in your Dallas, TX home, as well as issues with your energy bills and your air conditioner, it is best to call an air conditioning repair company as soon as you detect the issue.

#3 Foul Smells When Your Air Conditioner Is Running

If the air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home is functioning properly, it should produce cold, odorless air. If there is a full smell when the system is running, you should schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair. The smell coming from your system can help the HVC tech find the source of the problem.

• Mold: If you smell mold when your system is running, there could be mold in the air ducts. The air ducts in your home are dark, and the humidity can create moisture in the ducts, which is the perfect recipe for mold.
  Mold in the air ducts is a serious problem. When the system is running, mold spores will circulate through the air. Breathing in mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, respiratory issues and can weaken your immune system. If a member of your household has a chronic lung or respiratory condition, breathing in mold spores can make their condition worse.

• Fortunately, mold can be easily removed by an HVAC tech. They can use an antimicrobial fogger to eliminate the mold and prevent future mold growth.
  If the ducts are clear, there could be mold in the air conditioner, which is a more serious issue. In many cases, the mold cannot be removed, and you will need to replace your air conditioner.

• Burning: If you smell something burning when your AC is running, you should turn it off immediately and call an air conditioning repair company. There are a few issues that can cause this. If your system’s motor is faulty or isn’t properly lubricated, the system can overheat, causing a burning smell. There could also be an electrical issue, and the burning smell is coming from the wire’s insulation.
  Ignoring the burning smell can cause your system to shut down completely and can even spark an electrical fire, which can quickly destroy your entire home.

#4 Moisture or Fluid Pooling

The area around your air conditioner should be dry. If there is moisture or fluid pooling around the AC in your home, you should immediately call an air conditioning repair service.

Moisture in the area often indicates a clogged, cracked, or disconnected condensate hose. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple and inexpensive fix.

If there is fluid pooling around the unit, your system could be leaking refrigerant. If your system is under 10 years old, an air conditioning repair service can repair the leak and refill the refrigerant. If your system is 10 years old or older, you could have a serious problem on your hands.

Most older systems use R-22 refrigerant. This type has been deemed toxic and harmful to the environment by the EPA, and on January 1, 2020, the U.S government banned the production of R-22. If your system is leaking refrigerant, your HVAC tech may not be able to find R-22 refrigerant, which would require an air conditioner replacement.

#5 Strange Sounds

If the air conditioner in your Dallas, TX home is working properly, it should be quiet when it runs. You will hear a faint clicking sound when the system cycles and nothing more.

If your system is making strange sounds, you should call an air conditioning repair company immediately. When you make the call, they will want to know the sound your system is making because it can help identify the cause of the problem.

• Banging: A banging sound often signifies a loose or broken part, such as a piston pin, crankshaft, or a connecting rod. It could also signify an issue with the compressor.

• Buzzing: A buzzing sound doesn’t mean there is a bee’s nest in your air conditioner. This sound could indicate loose parts, the fan blades are loose or out of balance, the condenser coil is dirty, the air filter needs to be changed, or the blower has reached the end of its lifespan.

• High-pitched squealing: If you hear a high-pitched squealing sound when your AC is running, you should turn it off immediately and call an air conditioning repair company immediately. This sound often signifies dangerously high pressure in the system that can be disastrous if ignored.

You should schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair as soon as you hear the sound. The longer you wait, the more damage can occur.

#6 Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat in your home is your air conditioner’s brain. If the thermostat isn’t functioning properly, your AC won’t either.

There are signs that will let you know that there is an issue with the thermostat.

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

If you suspect your thermostat is broken, you should call an air conditioning repair service. An HVAC tech will inspect your thermostat to determine if it can be repaired or if replacing it is your best option. Over the last ten years, thermostat technology has evolved significantly. If your thermostat needs to be replaced, there are options available to help you save money.

• Programmable thermostats: This thermostat can be programmed to change the temperature automatically throughout the day, based on when you are home and when you aren’t. Adjusting the temperature throughout the day can lower your energy bills.

• Smart thermostats: Smart thermostats work with smart devices such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home. When you are home, you can adjust the thermostat using the sound of your voice. When you aren’t home, you can use the smart device’s app to control the thermostat. Being able to adjust the temperature when you aren’t home can save money on your cooling costs.

• Wi-Fi thermostats: You can control a wi-fi thermostat using your cell phone or tablet from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. Having the freedom to adjust your thermostat from anywhere can save money on your energy bills.

Needing to replace your existing thermostat may seem like a hassle, but the replacement can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

Why Choose One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating Of Dallas?

If your air conditioner isn’t working properly and you want to work with the best air conditioning repair service in Dallas, TX, contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas.

We have been serving residential and business customers in the area since 1988. Over the years, we have earned an excellent reputation in the community. Many of our customers have been loyal customers for as many as 20 years.

Our HVAC techs are highly trained, and NATE certified. We want our customers to feel safe when one of our techs enters their homes, which is why our techs must pass a background check, drug test, and register with the state of Texas.

Your comfort is our top priority, and we offer emergency service. If you need an air conditioning repair or have any other emergency HVAC issue, we will do our best to get there as quickly as possible, regardless of the time.

To schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair or any other HVAC service, give us a call today.