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There are two things that any homeowner in Cleveland, TN. will dread happening. One is that your air conditioner will break down on a hot, humid summer day, and the other is that the furnace will not work on a cold winter’s day. Should either event occur, life will become unbearable very quickly?
You want a reliable heating and air conditioning service to visit your home as soon as possible. Jack Frost is not going to wait until tomorrow while a technician becomes available. But unless you know a good repairman, where can you find a good HVAC service?
A search on your mobile will bring back many results, with many companies claiming to be the best and offer the cheapest service in town. A good differentiator is the number of 5-star reviews on google or other trusted review sites.
At the top, you’ll find Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air. We have been servicing Cleveland, TN. since 1989 and have built up a reputation for the highest quality work at affordable and transparent prices. Unlike many of our competitors, we respond to emergency calls twenty-four hours a day every day, on weekends, or on holidays. Whatever your heating or air conditioning needs you can depend on us.
Signs That You Need a Heating and Air Conditioning Service
Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air would strongly recommend that you have an annual heating and air conditioning service from one of our skilled technicians. Without one, you will increase the risk of needing a costly repair.
You must be on the lookout for any early warning signs that things are starting to go wrong. Early detection of any small problems can save you a lot of future stress and money in the future. HVAC problems could reveal themselves in many ways.
- Larger than expected energy bills.
- Reduced airflow from the air conditioner.
- Warm or no cold air from the HVAC.
- Strange smells coming from the HVAC.
- You can hear strange noises coming from the HVAC.
What Is the Cause of These Problems?
A cold liquid coolant flows through the evaporator coil and absorbs the heat from any warm air blown over it. This coolant is in a volatile state and changes from a cold liquid to a warm gas after it absorbs the heat. The warm air is now cooled and blown back into the room.
The evaporator coil needs a constant supply of warm air blown over it or else it can start to freeze. If it does then you need to turn off the AC unit immediately and wait until it defrosts before turning it back on again. A couple of factors can reduce the airflow over the coil.
The first is that the coolant could leak. To work efficiently, the air conditioner needs an optimum level of coolant in it. Less coolant means less cool air. Secondly, dirt accumulates on the evaporator coil, if it is not cleaned it will act as an insulating barrier between the warm air and coolant and reduce the cooling effect.
Any reduction in efficiency of the evaporator coil will result in the other components in the air conditioner, such as the compressor having to work harder. This extra work will mean increased energy bills and extra wear and tear on the system.
This can cause other components to overheat and need replacing. A heating and air conditioning service will clean the coil and top up the coolant levels. The HVAC service will also replace any dirty air filters as this too will reduce the airflow.
Dirty Condenser and Cooling Fins
The warm coolant gas is now pumped around the HVAC by the compressor. The compressor as its name suggests compresses the gas and it reaches a higher temperature because of being at a higher pressure.
This hot high-pressure gas flows through the condenser and cooling fins and the heat is radiated to the outside air. Air pollution will form a layer of dirt and grime over the condenser and fins, and this will reduce the rate of transfer of heat to the outside air because it acts as an insulating layer.
Any moss and weeds growing on the condenser and fins will block the airflow over them. This will reduce the cooling effect and increase the workload on the other components. Unless the condenser and cooling fins are cleaned regularly there will be a reduction in the cooling effect and possibly a breakdown due to overheating components.
This cleaning is something you can do yourself or as part of an HVAC service from Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air.
Faulty Fan
Consistent airflow over the evaporator coil and condenser is vital to ensure that they operate efficiently. A faulty fan will reduce airflow over these components and needs to be dealt with quickly as it can cause the evaporator coil to freeze or the condenser to overheat.
A faulty fan can be the source of many strange noises from the air conditioner. A bent or loose blade can make a clunking sound as it strikes inside of your unit or is blocked by debris. A loud screeching sound could mean a worn-out fan belt or worn-out bearings in the motor.
A damaged fan could overheat and burn out, giving rise to any burning smells. A regular heating and air conditioning service from Metro will help you avoid any expensive repairs.
Thermostat Problems
A poorly calibrated thermostat will increase your energy bills. So will a badly placed one. If the thermostat is placed in direct sunlight or near an open window, it will misread the temperature to be higher or lower than it is. This will cause the HVAC unit to work harder, with the result that your rooms will be colder or warmer than they need to be. During an HVAC service, the thermostats can be recalibrated, but it could be more cost-effective to replace any older style mechanical thermostats that you have with digital ones that are more precise and will not lose their calibration as easily.
Open Windows and Doors
The best way to cool your home in the summer with the air conditioner on is to keep your windows and doors closed. It is also the best way to keep your room warm in the winter.
Open windows and doors will create different temperature regions in your home. When the windows are shut, air will circulate evenly across the rooms. If it is hot outside, warm outdoor air will flow across the thermostat, believing it is warmer than it is, it will increase the cool air output of the HVAC and make the house colder than it needs to be. This will mean larger energy bills for you.
Blocked AC Drain Line
If you notice the smell of mold coming from your HVAC, then it could be due to a blocked AC drain line. Any moisture removed by your HVAC should go into a drain pan and then is channeled outside through a drain line.
The drain line could be blocked by mold and mildew growing inside the line, or by dirt and leaves outside. The water will back up in your home and cause the drain pan to overflow, this will increase the humidity levels in your home and cause puddles of water around your HVAC unit.
Over time, a drain pan can develop cracks or rust if it is made of metal and allow enough water to seep through and cause damage inside the HVAC system. Cleaning the AC drain line is a job you can do yourself, but it can be done as part of an HVAC service from Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air.
Leaking Air Ducts
The warm and cool air from an HVAC system is normally transported around your home through a system of air ducts. Air ducts need to be regularly inspected to ensure that the joint seals or the ducts themselves have not been damaged.
Any gaps will mean that the air will escape into the crawlway. Escaping air means escaping money, as your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain the temperature. It has been estimated that up to 30 percent of your HVAC’s energy output is wasted in this. This adds up to a lot of money over the years.
It may be a good idea to have your air duct inspected and cleaned when you have an HVAC service. There are great advantages to having your air ducts cleaned. Fewer bits of dust, pollen, and allergens will be in your air, this is a great benefit for those suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems.
Strange Smells Coming from the Unit
During a heating and air conditioning service, one of Metro Plumbing’s technicians will check for any loose electrical connections and any signs of electrical damage. Any loose connection may cause a short and explain why there is a burnt smell.
The inside of the HVAC is also given a good clean. Other causes of burnt smells could be due to parts overheating or by debris in the air ducts or inside the HVAC. Therefore, the inside of the HVAC is also given a good clean during an HVAC service.
But should you detect any odd burning smells it may be a good idea to turn off the HVAC and reduce the risk of a fire and then give Metro Plumbing a call as you may need an emergency repair?
Problems with the Furnace
The furnace is the largest component in your HVAC system and has some similar issues as the air conditioner part of your HVAC. The furnace has a fan that draws fresh air from the outside into a combustion chamber where it is mixed with gas or other fuel, burns, and produces heat. A heat pump could also be used to provide the heat. The fan blows the hot combustion gases past a heat exchanger, which heats fresh air which is then forced through the home’s air vents.
If gas or fuel is used, then the air vents to the outside need to be checked regularly to ensure they are not blocked. Fresh air is needed in and any exhaust gases need to be expelled out. A furnace also needs a filter to remove pollutants, and these also need regular changing.
The HVAC Will Not Turn on
This could be due to something as simple as a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker, simply resetting the circuit breaker could solve this problem. The fault could also be due to a major network outage, ringing your electricity supplier to check could explain this problem.
Faulty or loose wiring is usually the cause of the problem, as it is for most HVAC problems. If you have reset the circuit breaker and the HVAC still does not work, then call Metro plumbing so we can send one of our highly skilled technicians around to help.
Lack of Maintenance
The HVAC will not work properly, if filters, evaporator coils, and condensers become dirty. Without regular servicing, the HVAC will not run efficiently and put extra strain on other components.
As a result, your energy bills will increase, the working life of the HVAC will decrease, and you run the risk of needing repairs. A regular HVAC service from Metro Plumbing will help prevent a lot of the problems described in this article.
Premier Heating and Air Conditioning Service Company
Metro Plumbing is a family-run business, and we understand how worrying it is for families to have the HVAC or any vital piece of equipment fail. We specialize in many different ways to keep your office or home comfortable with heating and air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN.
We aim to put you and your family’s safety first. We will respond swiftly to any emergency call and all the work will be carried out safely and to your complete satisfaction. Our prices are fair and transparent so that everyone is assured of an honest deal.
If your HVAC system is not working properly or you just need a heating and air conditioning service, Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air is here to help.