Photo By gollykim at istock
Picture this. It’s 90°F outside. You turn on your AC, and find that it doesn’t really make that much of a difference. Although there might be some air blowing out from the AC, the air may not feel cool at all. Or, it simply doesn’t seem like it is bringing the temperature inside your home down.
“New studies reveal that most Americans think that any temperature between 85°F and 95°F is too hot to enjoy.”
Do you need heating and AC repair services in the situation? Or, is your AC already doing it’s best? Is this a normal situation? This article will look at signs that your AC unit is broken and requires repair in Chattanooga, TN. We will also look at potential solutions for these problems.
Signs That Your AC Is Broken
First and foremost, you must be able to distinguish whether your AC is broken or not. If you can, you might also want to consider trying to figure out what’s broken, so you get a better idea of the type of heating and AC repair services that you’ll need. You’ll also be able to get a better idea of how much you can expect to spend on the heating and AC repair service.
We’ll take a look at some of the most common signs that your AC unit is broken below. There are definitely more signs than these that you may need heating and AC repair. If you suspect that there’s something wrong, consider giving Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air a call.
The thermostat has lost power or is not showing anything.
If you know where the digital thermostat is, you can take a look yourself. Usually, heating and AC repairs involved with the thermostat is relatively easy to fix. You can also check to see whether the thermostat or the sensor is located in a poor area.
For example, if you notice that the sensor is located on the wall and in a cool, shaded area, the sensor may simply think that the temperature inside the room is much cooler than it actually is.
In these situations, one of the most common solutions is to replace the digital thermostat or to reinstall it in another location. This could also be a sign that the thermostat is low in power. You might just need to replace the battery. Knowing what’s wrong with the digital thermostat is not always easy, which is why you should call the heating and AC repair company to come take a look.
Upgrade to a New Thermostat
If you’re calling the heating and AC repair company to come take a look at the digital thermostat, you should also consider the option of upgrading your model to the latest one.
Newer models have more features. For example, some of these thermostats can be upgraded to smart models. These models are much more energy efficient. Some of the newer models also have remote control abilities. You can turn the AC on and off using just your phone. Imagine turning the AC on in your home 5 minutes before getting there. You’ll feel nice and refreshed the moment that you step inside the door!
There are unusual noises coming from the AC unit.
This can be anything from banging sounds to grinding and whirring sounds. Different sounds coming from the AC unit can signify that different parts are affected and damaged. If you hear some sort of banging sound, it could mean that there is something wrong with the coils. If you hear a sound that would likely come from your computer, it could be that there’s something wrong with the electrical board.
Either way, you’re going to want to get a heating and AC repair company to come take a look. You can make the heating and AC repair technicians job a lot easier by making a note of when you hear the sounds. If you have time, you can also inspect the AC unit yourself to figure out where the sound is coming from.
Some experts recommend giving them as much information over the phone as possible. This way, they can come better prepared. They’ll be able to bring certain parts, so you won’t have to wait for them to come in for a replacement at a later time.
There is a strange odor coming from the AC unit.
The AC might smell funny. This usually means one of three things. There is either a buildup of mold and mildew in the vents, a rodent or some other type of woman that has gotten stuck inside the unit or an accumulation of dirt and dust.
Once again, this is something that you want to call the heating and AC repair company to come take a look. The heating and AC technician will be able to take your AC unit apart with ease, so they get a better look at all of the components inside. This allows them to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.
Try to avoid opening the AC units by yourself if you do not have the experience. If you’re not careful, you can end up damaging the unit. You might also have a hard time figuring out which part goes where.
Another thing to note is that this is usually a problem that you want to call the heating and AC repair company for right away. If the vent smells funny, it will be circulating something in the air. This means that the air quality within your home will decrease significantly. This can become a significant problem for those with underlying health conditions and respiratory illnesses.
There is water leaking from the indoor unit.
You see water dripping out from the vents or you notice that there are water stains really close to the AC unit. This could signify many different things; however, One of the most common reasons why you see water leaking is if there’s a leak in the coils.
The heating and AC repair technician in Chattanooga, TN will be able to come in and patch up any leaks. They will also be able to replace the parts if they are not repairable. In some cases, the leaks may be repairable; however, the unit might be so old that other issues will arise with time. In these situations, it might actually be better to replace the unit instead. Most heating and AC repair companies will be able to get you a good deal on an AC unit.
There is no air blowing out of the AC unit at all.
This is a pretty straightforward sign that there’s something wrong. The most common reason for this is if the vents are blocked or dirty. It may also be that the filters are dirty. In general, you should expect to get the filters changed every year or two. It all depends on how often you use the AC unit, as well as the quality of the air indoors. If you live in an area with great air quality, the filters might still be in good shape.
Not only can the heating and AC repair company change your filters, but they can also help you determine whether the filters that you’re currently using are appropriate for your home and your needs. Different filters are able to filter out different types of things. Some filters specifically filter out viruses and bacteria in the air while others do a great job at removing dirt, dust and other pollutants. The former is ideal for those who are immunocompromised and the latter is ideal for those with respiratory conditions and allergies.
Make sure that the HVAC company will take necessary precautions to keep the inside of your home clean. You’ll be surprised by how much dirt, dust and contaminants can come out of your vents and ducts. If they’re not careful, the mess will get everywhere.
The air that’s blowing out of the AC unit is warm.
Place your hand in front of the AC unit to see whether the air that blows out is warm or not. If the air is indeed warm, you should also consider calling a heating and AC repair company right away to come take a look at the issue.
There are many reasons why this might happen. There could be something wrong with the digital thermostat as mentioned earlier. Or, there could be something wrong with the evaporator coils, the vents and other components. The only way that a heating and AC repair technician will be able to diagnose the problem is if they take the unit apart.
Once they take the unit apart, they can also take this opportunity to take a good look inside to see whether the unit needs to be cleaned. They can also take a look at the overall condition of the unit to see whether any additional issues need to be addressed. It is always much easier to fix a small problem than it is to fix a large problem. It’s also much less costly.
The AC unit is not blowing hard.
Turn the AC unit on high and see how much air is getting blown through. One of the easiest ways that you can narrow down the issue is to see whether the low airflow is coming from only one vent or if it is coming from multiple vents. You’ll want to compare the airflow of various vents within the home.
If the low airflow is only present and one vent, the reason could be because there is a closed damper or there is a disconnected leaky air duct. Another less common culprit could be a crushed duct flex. All of these issues or something that can be easily corrected by a heating and AC repair technician.
If multiple dents have a low airflow, common causes could be a dirty air filter, blower issues, blocked or undersized vents, air duct problems or a frozen evaporator coil. You really won’t be able to tell which one of these is a true culprit until you take the AC unit apart. Depending on what the cause of the issue is, it could be an easy fix or a complicated one, meaning that the heating and AC repair technician may need more than one trip to fix the problem.
Some repairs may require parts that the technician might need to order from the manufacturer. In these situations, the repairs will take longer.
Sometimes, the problems could be caused by more than one culprit. This is why it is really important to find a technician that will take the time to do a very detailed examination. You definitely want to find a company that will catch all the issues at once. There’s nothing more annoying than having to call an expert time and time again to fix the same issue.
Give Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air in Chattanooga, TN a Call
There’s nothing worse than finding out that your AC unit doesn’t work on a super hot day. You’ll have to bear with the heat until the heating and AC repair technician is free. This could be anything from several hours to several days.
Due to this reason, many experts recommend homeowners to turn on the AC system a week or two before they need it. This way, they’ll get a good idea of whether the unit is running efficiently.
If you’re looking for an HVAC company in Chattanooga, TN, you can’t go wrong with Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air. They are a family owned and operated company since 1989. There’s a perfect choice for those who are on a budget and for those who are looking for premium services.
Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air is known for their upstanding customer service, high quality work and upfront pricing. One of their representatives will be able to help you figure out what it is that you need and how much it’s going to cost. They can even help you figure out how to finance the repairs.
