Need HVAC Repair: Here are 9 Signs You Need to Call an Expert

When you’re having problems with cooling or heating your home, you’ll probably think, “I need to find HVAC repair need me.” Find out when it is time to call an expert.

According to Experian, the average family owns two cars, while 35 percent of American households own three cars or more. We can agree, we love our cars. When our cars make funny, strange or unusual sounds, we don’t wait for these sounds to auto-tune themselves. We don’t wait. We get it to the mechanic and even do our best impression of mimicking our car’s sounds.

However, we know first-hand, as a HVAC service team, homeowners don’t look at their HVAC system in their home like they view their vehicles. We continually find homeowners put off calling for HVAC repairs when they notice a problem. There are all types of reasons we hear: I can’t wait for a repair person, I know it is going to be expensive, I thought it was going to work itself out.

Hey, the longer you wait to call for service, the worse the situation with you HVAC system is going to get. Kind of like the dentist. Never has a root canal issue resolved itself. Your HVAC system is a critical component for your home’s comfort. There are many indications you need to call on a professional to help.

Need HVAC Repair: Here are 9 Signs You Need to Call and Expert

1. It is not working…

Yep, we started off with a pretty obvious one here. This is the reason we get called on in the summer – “My AC is blowing hot air” and the winter, “I’m not getting any heat.”

When your temperature in your home is not bringing comfort to the home, we can safely assume there is a malfunction of some sort. The problem could be a short in the electrical system. Could there be a leak in the line?

When you turn to All Major Appliance and HVAC Repair, you can rest assured we can repair your furnace – and have your home warm and comfortable. Call us at 770.389.1000.

2. Air Flow issues…

Airflow issues are among the most common HVAC problems. If you suspect you have HVAC airflow problems, you have probably experienced these issues:

Hot and cold spots in your home, this may occur in just one or two rooms. This is often one of the first signs of HVAC airflow issues.

Do you have doors slamming by themselves, strange whistling noises and drafty areas? No, it is not a ghost! These are symptoms of air pressure problems caused by poor airflow from HVAC systems.

We do not want you to ignore the problem for too long. The strain on your system can lead to compressor failure. The compressor is like the heart of your air conditioner, and when it goes, there’s a good chance you’ll need a new unit. So, don’t wait to call a HVAC professional.

3. Hey, That Doesn’t Sound Right…

Have you heard squeaking, squealing, grinding or another strange sound? If you are hearing these types of sounds, repairs are likely required.

Even in the event you think the unit is working fine, these strange sounds indicate there is a matter which needs to be addressed. There could be a HVAC component that is in need of an adjustment, needs be cleaned or needs to be replaced. The sounds you are hearing are giving a warning sign of a failing component or unit. Heed the warning. Addressing problems early can help save money as the repairs are often less expensive at this stage.

4. My System is Turning Off and On, Like A LOT…

All air conditioning systems go through cooling and heating cycles. Note that this is the case regardless of external weather conditions. Your HVAC system goes through cycles to maintain a specific temperature in your home. This is what you want. The system is working to keep your home comfortable. When your air conditioner is cycling, it is in the process of reaching the desired temperature, and once this temperature is reached, it will shut off until the cycle begins again.

If you notice that your air conditioner turns on and off in short intervals, your AC may be short cycling. There are multiple causes for this irregular pattern. It is essential to find the cause of the short cycle because there are a multitude of effects that can happen from this. This could be cause be due to

(1) Low Refrigerant Levels
(2) Iced or Dirty Evaporator Coil or
(3) A Dirty or Clogged Air Filter. Of course, there could be other reasons aside from this short list.

However, most homeowners can readily fix number 3. Change your filter then watch and listen to see if the system still turns on and off in short intervals. If there is no change, you need to schedule an appointment with a HVAC professional to determine the cause of the short cycling.

5. When I Turn on My System There is a Bad Smell…

We’re blessed to have five senses. A human nose has around 400 types of scent receptors. Research shows these 400 scent receptors can distinguish at least 1 trillion different odors. This is so cool! We know the scent of coffee and from what we smell, we know if the coffee is good or burning.

If you get a burning or musty odor from your vents, there is an issue. In some instances a buildup of mold or mildew has occurred in the vents. This can be addressed through scheduling air duct cleaning (BTW get a licensed HVAC company to clean your air ducts, not a carpet cleaning company). An electrical smell can indicate a short has occurred in the system.

The nose knows! When you smell something, have the professionals check your system and soon.

6. My AC is Blowing But it Still Sticky (Humid) In My House…

Here’s a common question we hear in Atlanta: “I think my air conditioner is working fine, but my home is so humid! What’s the problem?”

It’s a sticky issue, especially as humid as it gets here in the Atlanta area.

When humidity is high, it makes sense that A/C systems have to work harder to keep the home cool. You may have an older, inefficient or wrong-sized HVAC system, it may not be able to handle the job. The result is ‘stickiness’ and your home will feel warmer than it actually is because the air is holding extra moisture that isn’t being properly removed. We tend to get upset folks calling in about this as no one wants to be uncomfortable.

When your HVAC system is working longer and harder, this adds wear to the unit and can result in higher utility bills. No one wants that!

Please realize getting a larger capacity air conditioning system will not necessarily produce the cooling effect that you want in your home. Some vendors will offer this option in an attempt to sell a larger and higher priced unit. It’s imperative that your system is sized properly for YOUR HOME by a professional. An expert specialist can rapidly analyze the issue and let you know whether the unit should be re-adjusted or on the off chance that you ought to introduce an entire house dehumidifier.

7. I See a Bunch of Ice…

If you notice any spilling, freezing, or puddling in or close to your unit, it’s likely a direct result of a blockage in your buildup line. This is the line that evacuates buildup that may freeze on the unit’s coils, that could spill out, or that may puddle on the ground.

This could likewise be a sign of a Freon leak in the system. As a homeowner, when you observe a buildup of water or ice on your HVAC components, it is time to reach out to a HVAC professional and get some help. This is not an issue that will resolve itself. This is an issue, when left unresolved can drive up the cost of a repair and can even lead to a new system needing to be installed.

8. My Energy Bill Seems Really High …

If you are living in the Atlanta area, we are already used to high electric bills that come from running our air conditioners. What if you’ve noticed that this year it’s higher than usual and you’re wondering why is my air conditioner so expensive to run?

Here are our top 3 reasons why your bill is higher:
1. Dirty Air Filter (Hey this was mentioned earlier in this blog)
2. Duct Leaks
3. Failing Parts

We’ll start with the easy one for most homeowners to address on their own and that is to change the filter.

Now a duct leak reduces your systems ability to distribute air and satisfy your thermostat. If your air conditioner is taking long to satisfy your thermostat, then it’s going to run harder and longer. Your unit running longer and harder while achieving less results will cause high electric bills.

Failing parts on your system like motors, capacitors, and the compressor will result in a high electric bill. Not fun! When parts begin to fail this will cause the system to work harder and a HVAC system that runs harder, drives up costs.

Take for example, if there is a failing motor on your condenser and you’re trying to cool your home down, the motor is not going to remove heat very well. The motor struggling and the thermostat not being satisfied is going to cause the motor to run longer and cause high electric bills.

Duct leaks, failing parts and other issues outside of the filter being replaced are concerns that are best addressed by a HVAC professional. These are the types of problems that need to be addressed as they are critical and can result in a full system replacement.

9. Your System is Just Getting Older…

We all get older and it’s generally not too much fun. We need glasses, our back and knees begin to creak, etc. It is a process. Well, your HVAC system is OLD after 15-20 years. The wear and tear eventually will cause a unit to fail and need to be replaced.

Sure, you can get a few extra years out of your system with regular and diligent maintenance. However, at some point the unit will wear out and need to be replaced.

No one wants to hear that a unit needs to be replaced. Some manufacture warranties may have replacement paths available that can lower the overall investment. In some situations, you can shop for great financing options.

An air conditioner’s filters, coils, fins and other mechanical parts demand regular maintenance. Maintenance helps your unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service.

For maintenance to be effective, every homeowner will need to partner with a HVAC professional.

Make sure you find a quality service provider. Our team here at All Major Appliance & HVAC Repair, has several years of experience in this area and can provide you with the HVAC services needed to ensure your unit continues operating properly and efficiently for the foreseeable future.

If you need HVAC service or have questions about your unit, contact us today to schedule an appointment. All Major Appliance & HVAC Repair can provide you with the quality services you need, and we stand behind all the work we do.