13 Common Heating and Cooling Problems in Your Dallas Home

Thanks to modern technology, three-quarters of homes in the United States have heating and cooling systems. Americans can easily keep warm during the cold seasons and cool during hot seasons. Though these systems offer a lot of comfort and convenience, they are also complicated and can break down when you least expect them to and require expert Dallas HVAC professionals.

Heating and cooling systems are made up of several different components. For your HVAC unit to work as it should, every component needs to be in tip-top condition. If you have an HVAC unit in your home, it may be good to learn more about how it works, the problems that may develop, and how to fix them.

Though it is possible for you to fix some of the problems that your system develops, you might need to call an expert technician to fix the more complicated issues. Take a look at the following heating and cooling problems that you may come across:

1. Blocked Drain

Heating and air conditioning systems have a drainage system that is specifically designed for them. This system is made up of a pan that collects the excess moisture and a drainage pipe that leads the moisture out.

After a while, the drainage system can get clogged because of dirt and impurities. When this happens, the moisture can spill to other components of the HVAC unit and cause it to break down.

To unclog the drain system, you can access the drain pipe from the outdoor unit, remove it, and clean it using any kind of cleaning product. If you are unable to clean the system, you can call a reputable HVAC repair technician near you and they will ensure that your system works as it should.

2. No Air From the Registers

If there is no air coming out from the registers of your HVAC unit, it might mean that the fan that is located outside the unit is not running well. This problem is not as huge as it sounds because it can only mean that the breaker is tripped and it should be reset.

At times, air may not come out of the registers if the blower belt is worn out. You may have to call an HVAC repair company to replace the blower belt and also check if the thermostat, control board, and wiring are okay.

3. Leaking Refrigerant

One of the common problems that you are likely to face is the refrigerant leaking. Heating and cooling systems are filled up with a liquid known as the refrigerant that cools the air before it circulates in the room.

The refrigerant flows inside the unit to keep it cool and its main role is to provide the cool temperatures that you need during the hot seasons. When this liquid leaks, you will sense a very pungent smell coming from your unit.

Turn off the HVAC unit as soon as you get this smell and call a technician. Whenever you are low on refrigerant, always check for leaks before adding more. Remember, leaks are harmful to the environment and should be fixed immediately.

4. A Strange Noise From the Unit

Air conditioners can get noisy and this is quite normal. However, if you hear an unusual noise from the unit, you may need to check it out. Some of the noises that you can hear include:

• A squealing sound to indicate that something wrong with the belt
• A grinding noise on the other hand can indicate a problem with the bearings
• A popping sound can indicate that there is some loose metal
• Sharp buzzing sounds may indicate a poor start relay or capacitor problem
• Humming sounds can be because of a failed compressor
• Vibrations can indicate that there is something loose in the unit
• Whistling sounds are caused by clogs or debris
• Rattling sounds can indicate an issue with the starting
• High pitched sounds or screaming indicate that there is an issue with the refrigerant pressure

The unit can also make a rattling noise if the cover panels are loose. If your unit makes such a noise, you should call a technician to inspect the system.

5. Clogged Filter

One of the most useful components of the HVAC unit is the air filter. The main purpose of the air filter is to block any contaminants or dirt from coming in through the vents. The filters ensure that you get clean and healthy air every time you turn on your unit.

After a couple of months of use, the filters tend to get clogged because of the dirt that they block out. To continue enjoying clean air, you need to either clean or replace the air filter immediately, depending on the type of unit you have.

If you have a reusable filter, you can locate it in the indoor unit and clean it thoroughly before re-inserting it back into the system.

6. Faulty Thermostats

Malfunctioning or faulty thermostats is yet another common problem that you are most likely to encounter. The thermostat is like the brain of the unit. It’s in charge of controlling the temperatures, air levels, and the complete climate control operation.

This means that if the thermostat fails, the whole unit will fail. If you have an analog thermostat, you may want to replace it with a digital thermostat. However, if you have a modern thermostat, you can try to replace the batteries.

If this fails to work, you might be dealing with a different problem. Call in a heating and cooling repair expert near you to have a look at the unit. Also, try to protect your thermostat from a direct exposure to sunlight.

7. Hot Air From the Air Conditioner

Your AC is not supposed to blow hot air. When it does, it might be an indication that the filter is dirty or there is some other issue with the unit. First, you may want to check the outside unit to make sure that it is running before cleaning the filter or calling a technician.

You should also check if there is any debris or leaves blocking the free flow of air or if the freon is low.

8. Furnace Is Not Heating Up

The furnace of the heating and cooling system is the main source of heat in the system. It can develop several problems. You do not want to deal with this problem during the cold season because a lack of heat in the furnace means no heat in the whole house.

You may want to fix this problem immediately so that you do not freeze. Check whether the furnace pilot light is on or off.

If it is off, try lighting it up using an igniter. If it does not light up, you might be lacking gas supply in your home.

If this is the case, you may have to call an expert to check out the unit and perform furnace repair.

9. Condenser Is Not Working

If the condenser is not working, you should first make sure that it is getting power. Check to ensure that the unit is plugged in to a power source and that there is no blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker that can cut off the supply of power.

When the condenser is not running, you may have a problem receiving cooling control signals from the thermostat. Therefore, check the safety switches, oil level, and refrigerant pressure. If the refrigerant has a leak, the low-pressure safety can be switched and this can affect the condenser.

10. Faulty Heat Pump

If you set the thermostat and then you realize that the temperature in the room is higher than the set temperature, you might be dealing with a faulty heat pump. Should this be the case, locate the electrical panel and check to see if the AC unit is turned on or off.

If there is a trip in the circuit, it means that there is a problem in the system and you will need a technician to fix it. However, if the circuits are okay, you can try flushing the drain line or clean the drain pan.

If the line is clear and the circuits are as they should be, and you are still not able to get your unit to start, you may need to check the condensation pump. When the pump operates poorly, it can prevent the unit from powering up. If the pump is faulty, consider replacing it.

You should also take a look at the circuit control boards to see if they need to be reset. To reset it, turn off the furnace circuit for at least 30 seconds before you turn it on again. Should this strategy (or those above) fail, get in touch with a technician to repair the heat pump for you.

11. Air Conditioner Does Not Turn on or Off

If your unit does not turn on, you might be having problems with the thermostat. Try setting your thermostat to cool and then turn the temperature down. After that, check the electrical panel to see if the breaker has tripped or a fuse is blown.

You should also check if you have any issues with your power supply and the furnace power. Next, switch on the thermostat in case you still have a problem.

No matter how hot it is, you should be able to turn off your HVAC unit. If you run your AC constantly, you can have a problem with the fan. This can add to your already high cooling and heating bills.

Turn off your unit to see if it stops and do not forget to check the refrigerant levels and the relay switches.

If the AC unit repeatedly turns on and off, it may indicate that the condenser unit is dirty or blocked or the evaporator is dirty. Check both the condenser and evaporator for obstruction and clean your unit well.

12. Frozen Coil

When the heating and cooling system works overtime to keep your house cold, the coils can freeze. Check the system for any issues with the airflow, such as a dirty filter. You should also check the level of the refrigerant and the blower fan.

Your coil should also have access to sufficient airflow. When there is no humidity to get rid of or the airflow is blocked, ice begins to develop.

13. Broken-Down Compressor

When the compressor is not running, it can be an indication of a burned wire; the start capacitor or compressor is defective. If the compressor does not reset, you should clean the condenser coil, check the capacitor, or replace the compressor.

To help maintain the compressor and to ensure that you have good airflow, you should check that there is nothing blocking or crowding it. Keep it at least two or three feet away from any plants or structure. You should also try to maintain a space of at least five feet between the unit and any trees above it.

Remember to ensure that your HVAC unit works well regardless of the season. You should have it inspected and maintained by a licensed technician annually.

The annual checkup will help you catch any problems with the unit before they become worse. The technician will also check the refrigerant and any other moving parts of the unit.

Know These Heating and Cooling Problems and Hire an HVAC Technician

When it comes to fixing any problem with your heating and cooling system, it is always best to hire a professional. Though there are some problems that you can try to fix on your own, always call an expert if your solution does not work.

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Aire Serv of Dallas
5930 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy #250
Dallas, TX 75240, United States

https://www.aireserv.comhttps://www.aireserv.com/dallas/

Here at Aire Serv of Dallas, we understand what it means to have a well-working HVAC unit in your home. We offer high-quality installations, repair, and maintenance services to both residential and commercial clients. Please feel free to contact us today by calling.