4 Issues That Require A Call To A Heating And AC Repair Service | Spring, TX
Your Spring, TX home is the place you feel most comfortable and is the place you relax at the end of a long day. Your HVAC system has a lot to do with your family’s comfort. It isn’t uncommon for the temperature to reach over 90 degrees during the summer, and it can get dangerously hot. Extreme heat like this could result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke; therefore, it’s best to spend more time in your air-conditioned home. Winter days are relatively mild; however, the temperature drops at night, and you need your furnace to keep your home warm. The temperature can drop below freezing during a cold snap, and your home can get dangerously cold if your furnace fails.
The best way to ensure your HVAC system keeps your home comfortable all year long is to detect a problem with the unit early before further damage can occur.
If your HVAC system experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to call a heating and AC repair service as soon as you detect the problem.
#1 Your Furnace Is Producing Cool Air
When you turn on the furnace on a cold day, you expect it to produce warm air to heat your home. If the furnace is blowing cool air, call a heating and AC repair service. Several issues can prevent the furnace from doing its job; therefore, you will need an HVAC tech to find the cause of the problem to make the necessary repair.
- The pilot light is out: If you have an older furnace, it has a pilot light. The pilot on your furnace must be lit for the unit to produce warm air. If the pilot is out, there could be an issue with the thermocouple, which are sensors used to measure temperature, assist the pilot light, and allows the furnace to run safely.
When dirt and dust collect on the thermocouple, blocking the sensor and the pilot won’t stay lit. A heating and AC repair service can clean the thermocouple and relight the pilot. If the pilot light goes out again, the HVAC tech will replace the part to keep the pilot light lit.
- Dirt and grime on the fame detector: If you have a newer furnace, it won’t have a pilot light and will have a flame detector instead. The flame detector can detect and respond to the flame. If the flame detector fails, it won’t detect the flame and will shut the furnace down, and you will feel the cold air from the vents in your Spring, TX home. A heating and AC repair service can clean the flame sensor to get the furnace running again. If cleaning the part doesn’t work, it may need to be replaced.
- Clogged condensate lines: Newer furnaces have condensate drain lines that help remove the moisture from the unit. If the line is clogged, it can deactivate the burners, causing the unit to produce cool air.
A heating and AC repair service will send a tech to your home to figure out why your furnace is producing cold air to make the necessary repair. When they are done, your home will be warm and toasty again.
#2 Your Air Conditioner Is Producing Warm Air
When it’s very hot outside, you can stay indoors to escape the heat. If you turn on the air conditioner and it produces warm air, you should call a heating and AC repair service. Without a properly functioning air conditioner on a day when the temperature reaches over 90 degrees, your home can become dangerously hot and could require an emergency call.
Before making the call for your heating and AC repair service, you should check a couple of things to avoid an unnecessary service call. First, check the air filter. You should change the air filter at least every 90 days, and if a member of your family has allergies or you have pets in your Spring, TX home, you should change the air filter every 45 days. If it’s been a while since you changed the air filter, air won’t move through the system the way it should, causing it to overheat and produce cool air, and replacing the filter should solve the problem.
Next, check the thermostat settings. If it isn’t set correctly, the unit won’t produce cold air. First, make sure the thermostat is set to the cooling mode. If it’s not, the unit will produce warm air. Next, make sure the fan is set to “auto.” If you leave the fan on, it will continue running when the system cycles, producing warm air. Finally, check the temperature setting. It has to be warmer in the house than the temperature setting for the system to produce cool air.
If everything checks out on your end, it’s time to call a heating and AC repair service. A few problems can prevent the unit from producing cold air, and you will need a licensed HVAC tech to find the cause.
- The outdoor condenser is failing: The system’s indoor and outdoor units work together to produce cold air. If the condenser has no power or isn’t working correctly, the unit won’t produce cold air. You will need a heating and AC repair service tech to repair the condenser to get the system up and running again. If the condenser can’t be repaired, the tech can replace it, and your home will be cool and comfortable again.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils extract heat and humidity from your Spring, TX home to begin the cooling process. If the evaporator coils freeze, they can’t do their job, and you should call a heating and AC repair service.
A few issues can cause the coils to freeze, including;- Lack of airflow in the unit
- Dirty air filter
- The coils are dirty
- Clogged drain pipe
- Faulty drip pan
- Low refrigerant
- You ran the AC when it was too cold outside.
- A heating and AC repair service can send a tech to thaw the coils, allowing the cooling process to begin. They will also inspect the unit to figure out why the coils froze to take the necessary steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
- Refrigerant leak: Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to complete the cooling process. If the refrigerant leaks, the supply will be depleted, and the unit won’t produce cold air.
A heating and AC repair service can send a tech to inspect the unit. If your air conditioner is under ten years old, the tech can fix the leak and refill the refrigerant. If your unit is over ten years old, the tech can fix the leak but can’t fill the refrigerant. Older units use R-22 refrigerant, which the EPA deemed toxic and harmful to the ozone layer. On January 1, 2020, the U.S. government banned the production of R-22; therefore, the tech won’t have the refrigerant to refill the unit, and you will need to replace the air conditioner.
The sooner you call a heating and AC repair service, the sooner your home will be cool and comfortable again.
#3 Restricted Airflow
When the HVAC system in your Spring, TX home runs, you should feel a powerful rush of cold or warm air coming from the vents. If the airflow is restricted, the furnace or air conditioner will work harder to reach the desired temperature. When the system works harder, your energy bills will increase significantly. Also, when the HVAC system works harder than it should, the extra work will put added strain on the unit, reducing the unit’s lifespan. It can cost $5,000 to $10,000 to replace your HVAC system; therefore, you should have a heating and AC repair service check the system immediately.
A few issues can cause restricted airflow, and you will need an HVAC tech to figure out the cause.
- Clogged air ducts: The air ducts in your home allow the heated or cool air to travel from the HVAC system to the vents throughout your home. Regardless of how clean you keep your Spring, TX home, dirt, dust, and debris can clog the air ducts, restricting the airflow.
An HVAC tech can clean the debris from the air ducts, restoring proper airflow.
- Damaged air ducts: The air ducts in your home are hidden; therefore, you can’t see any visible damage, and the only sign will be reduced airflow. The heated or cool air will escape from the damaged area, and the heat or cold air outside will enter the air ducts, reducing the airflow and counteracting the heat or air conditioner.
A heating and AC repair service can send a tech to inspect the air ducts to make the necessary repair. When the ducts are fixed, the airflow from the vents will be restored.
- Faulty blower: Your HVAC system has a blower designed to force the heated or cool air from the unit to the vents throughout your home. If the blower isn’t working, the air won’t be forced through the vents, resulting in poor airflow.
An HVAC tech can inspect the blower to determine if it can be repaired or if a replacement is the better option. When the blower starts running correctly again, the airflow will be restored.
Restricted airflow can affect the temperature in your home and can cost you money; therefore, it’s best to call a heating and AC repair service as soon as the problem starts.
#4 Foul Smells
The air conditioner in your Spring, TX home should produce clean, odorless air. If you smell something strange when the unit runs, you should call a heating and AC repair service. Foul odors indicate issues that could put your home and family at risk.
- Rotten eggs: If you smell rotten eggs in your home, turn off the furnace immediately, get everyone out of the house and call 911. The smell indicates a gas leak, which can cause an explosion if you allow the furnace to continue running.
The 911 operator will send the fire department to your home to cut the gas to your home. When they determine it’s safe to go inside, you should schedule an emergency appointment with a heating and AC repair service. A tech can fix the gas leak so the gas can be turned back on, and you can run the furnace again.
- Burning: A burning smell indicates an electrical issue, and the odor is caused by the wire insulation burning. It’s best to avoid using the system unit until the problem is repaired because continued use can start an electrical fire, putting your home and family at significant risk.
- Mold: A moldy smell could indicate mold in the air ducts, which is hazardous to your family’s health. The air ducts are dark, and when it’s humid, condensation will form in the ducts, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. When the HVAC system runs, mold spores will circulate in the air, and mold exposure can cause several health issues, including;
- Allergy symptoms
- Respiratory issues
- Skin rashes
- Chronic headaches
- A burning feeling in the eyes, nose, and throat
- Weakened immune system
If a family member has a chronic lung or respiratory condition, mold exposure will worsen their condition and the symptoms.
An HVC tech can examine the air ducts for mold. They can use an antimicrobial fogger to eradicate the mold and promote future mold growth if they find any.
Why Choose Mr. Reliable Heating & Air
If your HVAC system isn’t working correctly 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.
Our techs are professionally trained, skilled, and capable of handling any HVAC problem you have. They are also required to receive ongoing training to ensure they can work with the latest HVAC technology. Your comfort is our top priority, and if you have an issue affecting your home’s temperature, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have an issue that needs immediate attention, we’ll get a tech to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem.
To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.
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