4 HVAC Issues That Require A Call To A Heating And AC Repair Service | Spring, TX
The HVAC system in your Spring, TX home is essential to your family’s comfort. Most people spend more time indoors to escape the heat outside during the summer. In addition, people spend more time indoors during the winter to avoid the cold weather.
If your furnace isn’t functioning correctly, your home will be very cold in the winter, and you will need to dress in layers or cover up in a blanket. If your air conditioner has issues, your home will be hot and humid, making it impossible to stay comfortable.
DIY HVAC repairs aren’t recommended because your HVAC system is very complex. If you make one small mistake, you could cause more damage or cause a disaster. If any part of your HVAC system malfunctions and experiences any of the following issues, you should call a heating and AC repair service.
#1 The Air Conditioner Produces Warm Air
The air conditioner in your Spring, TX home should produce cold air and remove the humidity when it functions properly. If you feel warm air coming from the vents, you may need to call a heating and AC repair service.
Before making the call, check the thermostat settings. This is a common cause of this problem, and checking the thermostat will avoid an unnecessary service call. First, you should check the mode setting, and for the unit to produce cold air, it needs to be set to the cooling mode. Next, make sure the fan is set to “auto.” If it is set to “on,” the fan will continue to run when the unit cycles down, and you will feel warm air coming from the vents. Finally, check the temperature setting. The air conditioner won’t kick on unless the temperature in your home is warmer than the setting on the thermostat.
If the thermostat is set correctly, it’s time to call a heating and AC repair service. A few issues can cause the air conditioner to produce warm air; therefore, you need the help of a professional.
The most common causes of this problem include:
- Dirty air filter: If you neglect to change the air filter, your air conditioner will have trouble producing cold air. A clogged filter will prevent air from moving through the unit, causing it to overheat and can’t produce cold air. HVAC experts recommend changing the air filter every 90 days. If a family member has allergies or there are pets in your home, you should change the filter every 45 days. If you know how to change the air filter, you can do this yourself. If not, a heating and AC repair professional can replace the filter and show you how to do it.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils begin the cooling process by extracting heat from your home. If moisture forms on the evaporator coils, they can freeze and can’t start the cooling process, and the unit will produce warm air. A heating and AC repair professional can thaw the coils and figure out why they froze so they can fix the problem, so it doesn’t happen again.
- Leaking refrigerant: The air conditioner in your Spring, TX home relies on refrigerant to keep your home cool. If the unit leaks refrigerant, it won’t be able to produce warm air. A heating and AC repair service can fix the leak and refill the unit if you have a newer system. If your unit is over ten years old, the tech can repair the leak, but they won’t be able to refill the refrigerant. Older units use R-22 refrigerant, which the EPA has deemed toxic and harmful to the environment, and the U.S. government banned production on January 1, 2020. They no longer make R-22; therefore, you will need to replace the air conditioner.
- The outdoor unit has no power: The indoor and outdoor air conditioning units work together to keep your home cool. If the outdoor unit has no power, the unit will produce warm air.
- The compressor failed: If the compressor fails, it will be impossible for the unit to produce cold air, and the compressor will need to be repaired or replaced.
- The air conditioner has reached the end of its lifespan: The average lifespan of an air conditioner is between 15 and 20 years. If the unit is nearing or has reached the end of its lifespan, it won’t function efficiently and will produce warm air and should be replaced.
If your air conditioner produces warm air and the thermostat is set correctly, call a heating and AC repair service. A professional in heating and AC repair can find the cause of the problem and make the necessary repair. When the job is complete, your home will be cool and comfortable.
#2 The Furnace Is Producing Cold Air
If you turn on the heat in your Spring, TX home, it should produce warm air. If the furnace is producing cold air, you may need to call a heating and AC repair service.
If this is the first time you have turned on the heat in several days or the first time during the heating season, it can take time for the furnace to heat up. If you let the heat run for several minutes, it should produce warm air. As mentioned above, you should also check the thermostat settings.
If everything is fine on your end, it’s time to call a heating and AC repair company. A few issues can cause this problem, and you will need the help of an HVAC professional.
- The pilot light is out: If your furnace has a pilot light, it needs to be lit for the unit to produce warm air. You will need to call a heating and AC repair service to determine why the pilot went out and make the necessary repair.
- Dirty flame detector: If your furnace doesn’t have a pilot light, it has a flame detector to complete the heating cycle. If the flame sensor is dirty, the furnace will produce cold air.
- The limit switch failed: The limit switch tells the fan when to turn on and off. If it fails, the fan will continue running when the furnace completes the cycle, producing cold air.
- Clogged condensate lines: The condensate drain lines help remove moisture. If the line is blocked, it can deactivate the burners, and the furnace will produce cold air.
Your home will be very cold if the furnace produces warm air; therefore, it is best to call a heating and AC repair service right away.
#3 Strange Smells
When the heater or air conditioner runs, it should produce clean, odorless air. If you smell something strange when the HVAC system runs, it is best to call a heating and AC repair service right away. The odor you smell can help the HVAC tech figure out what is causing the odor.
- Rotten eggs: If you smell rotten eggs in your Spring, TX home, it indicates a gas leak, which is a serious and dangerous problem. As soon as you detect the smell, turn off the furnace, get everyone out of the house and call 911. Ignoring a gas leak can cause an explosion that can destroy your home and is deadly if anyone is inside. The fire department will cut the gas to your home, ensuring it is safe to return. The gas cannot be restored until you call a heating and AC repair service and the leak is repaired.
- Mold: If you smell mold when your heater or air conditioner runs, you should call a heating and AC repair service right away. There is likely mold in the air ducts, and when the HVAC system runs, mold spores will circulate in the air. According to the CDC, mold exposure causes allergy symptoms, respiratory problems, headaches, skin rashes. In addition, mold exposure can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off disease and infection. Mold exposure can be very harmful to your family’s health; therefore, you should call a heating and AC repair service right away.
An HVAC tech can inspect the ducts for mold and can use an antimicrobial fogger to eradicate the mold. If there is no mold in the ducts and you only smell mold when the air conditioner runs, the mold could be in the unit, which can be harder to eradicate. If the heating and AC repair service cannot remove all the mold, you will need to replace the unit.
- Burning: A burning smell indicates a wiring issue or an electrical problem in the HVAC system. This is a serious issue that can spark an electrical fire if you don’t call a heating and AC repair service right away. An HVAC tech can inspect the unit to find the burning wire to make the necessary repair.
Strange smells indicate serious issues that can put your family’s health and your home at risk; therefore, you should schedule an appointment for heating and AC repair service as soon as you detect the odor.
#4 Reduce Airflow
When the HVAC system in your Spring, TX home runs, you should feel a powerful rush of warm or cold air coming from the vents. If the airflow has suddenly reduced, you should call a heating and AC repair service.
Adequate airflow is necessary for the HVAC system to keep your home comfortable. Reduced airflow will make it challenging for the HVAC system to do its job, and the unit will have to work harder to control the temperature in your home. When the system works harder, your energy bills will increase. In addition, the extra work will put added strain on the system, reducing its maximum lifespan.
A few issues can cause restricted airflow, and a professional in heating and AC repair service can determine the cause.
- Clogged air ducts: In one year, up to five pounds of dust. Dirt debris can accumulate in the air ducts, even if you keep your home immaculate. When the ducts become clogged with debris, the airflow will be restricted. In addition, the debris can affect your home’s air quality. When the heater or air conditioner runs, the debris will circulate in the air, which can cause allergy symptoms. A heating and AC repair professional can clean the debris from the ducts, allowing adequate airflow while improving the air quality in your home.
- Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your home are designed to deliver the heated or cool air produced by the HVAC system to every vent in your home. If the ducts are cracked or broken, the heated or cool air will escape from the damaged area, resulting in poor airflow.
An HVAC tech can inspect the ducts for damage and repair the damaged areas.
- Faulty blower: Your furnace and air conditioner have blowers that force the heated or cool air to the vents. If either blower fails, the air won’t reach the vents, resulting in poor airflow. A heating and AC repair service can repair or replace the blower, restoring the airflow.
Reduced airflow affects your home’s temperature and can affect your energy bills and the lifespan of your HVAC system; therefore, it is best to call a heating and AC repair service right away.
Why Choose Mr. Reliable Heating & Air?
If your HVAC system is acting up and you need to call a heating and AC repair service, call Mr. Reliable Heating & Air. We are a full-service HVAC company, serving customers in the area for years. We provide a variety of HVAC services, including:
- Free consultations and equipment installation
- HVAC system maintenance
- System diagnostic and repair
- Parts and system replacement
If you have an issue that can’t wait or that occurs outside of our regular business hours, don’t panic. We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We understand that many of our customers live on budgets, so we try to make our services as affordable as possible. We often run specials that you can find on our website, and you can become a White Glove member. This membership costs $99 a year, or $8.25 per month, and provides several benefits, including:
- Free AC tuneup on all systems.
- Free heat tuneup on all systems.
- 15 percent off our standard prices
- Priority scheduling with one hour appointment time frames
To schedule an appointment for heating and AC repair service, give us a call or book online with us at Mr. Reliable Heating & Air.
