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Right now the last thing on your mind is probably the hot summer weather. In fact, the only reason you may miss it is because of the cold bitter winds that are blowing in. However, winter will blow by before you know it and suddenly you will be ready to hit the A/C on again. When that time comes, is your air conditioning up to the challenge, or are you going to need air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN? You don’t want to be left out in the hot sweltering house waiting for an HVAC specialist to have some free time to come out and inspect your HVAC unit, which is why it is useful to schedule your air conditioning service for springtime.
Regular air conditioning service is the best way to ensure that your HVAC stays up to the challenge of cooling your home on a regular basis. A regular inspection takes care of cleaning out your HVAC system, inspecting the different components, and removing dust and debris from the system. This is the number one way to make sure that your HVAC system is always working at its most energy-efficient and its highest performance levels.
Routine Service Does Not Replace Air Conditioning Repair
However, even with regular air conditioning service sometimes things can go wrong that demands an A/C repair job. Your goal with A/C repair should always be to take care of the task right away instead of waiting. If you have any reason at all to think that your HVAC system is not working the way it should you need to call an HVAC specialist and have the problem investigated.
Like most things, the longer you wait the worse the problem will usually get. A bent fan blade can turn into a broken fan or a stressed motor can turn into a dead motor. When your A/C starts making noises or underperforming, or your electricity bills jump these are all signs that you need to call a trained technician to come out to your home for air conditioning service and repair.
Not sure if your HVAC system needs some attention? If no one has looked at it for at least a year it is probably not a bad idea to go ahead and schedule an air conditioning service. On the other hand, if you notice certain signs you should go ahead and call for a repair even if your unit has been serviced within the last one or two years. Here are a few of the most common signs that you need air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN.
Warm Air Is Flowing Out of Your Vents
If it’s the middle of winter, it’s perfectly fine for hot air to be blowing out of your home vents, but if you have the air turned on for an unseasonably warm day and it is still coming out warm then you may have an issue that requires air conditioning service. The very first thing you should do is check your thermostat. Make sure that it is switched to cool mode and not still on set on warm. Even if you turn down the thermostat, it will not blow cool air unless you switch it to cool. This is a classic mistake and one that is very easy to remedy.
However, if you check your thermostat and it is set to cool but still blowing warm air, you have a problem that is best left to a professional. An air conditioning service technician is the best choice for air conditioning repair because they have the experience and the certifications to properly address the issues. Usually in this case the problem is either with your compressor or a restriction in airflow but they will need to investigate and look closer to offer you a real reason. It is also possible that your refrigerant is leaking which can be a health hazard that needs quickly addressed.
Reduced Airflow Out of Vents
On the other hand, if the air is cool but restricted this could be a sign that something is wrong with your air conditioner or ductwork. Every home has its own HVAC system and ductwork, but you should have a pretty good idea of what normal airflow looks like by your vents. If you notice that the air is hardly noticeable or decreased in volume substantially and it’s not because the air vents have been closed off or the air shaft has been shut, then you probably should call an air conditioning service technician for air conditioning repair.
Poor airflow is often caused by an air filter that needs to be changed, has become clogged, or even your ductwork. If something happens with your ductwork or a piece breaks the air could be escaping into the basement or behind the wall instead of into your rooms. Other common problems include a broken fan motor or a system that is not powerful enough to cool the entire room. The only way to find out for sure is by hiring an air conditioning service repairman that can come investigate the issue.
The problem with restricted airflow is that if you don’t get to the root of the problem over time more serious damage may occur. For example, if a broken motor or clogged air filter is responsible, eventually these components will stress out other pieces within your air conditioning system. This will lead to more components failing and at some point, the entire system quitting. Finding yourself without any A/C is a much more serious situation than restricted airflow.
In addition, you will probably notice an increase in your monthly energy bills as well until the problem is fixed. If your airflow is reduced your air conditioner will be forced to work twice as hard to cool your home. The result is it will need to cycle much more frequently or may even perpetually run non-stop. This will run up your electrical bills and even make A/C unaffordable for your home. Before your bills get out of hand, call for air conditioning service and get to the bottom of the problem.
Sometimes this may also be caused by an HVAC system that is not properly fitted to a home or a home that is simply large and hard for any one HVAC system to push air through. In this case, you may need an energy-recovery ventilator which a technician can tell you more about at your air conditioner service call. This extra piece helps boost your air conditioner by exchanging stale air for fresh air when the system cycles. In other cases, zoning systems can help to distribute the airflow to areas of the home that don’t cool as evenly as others. A trained professional is the best source of information for this problem if you suspect it may be what is happening in your home.
A/C Is Not Cycling Right
While you may not always pay attention to your HVAC system, you probably have a rough idea of how much it is cycling. If it occurs to you at some point that you are hearing your A/C cycle more than usual does you need to have an air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN. Regardless of how hot or cold it is your cooling system should have a fairly routine cycle. If you keep hearing it turn on and off over and over again without really affecting the overall temperature in the room this is a signal that you have a problem with your A/C.
Frequent cycling does two things if it is not immediately addressed: wears down your system and increases your energy bills. Turning on and off is the most energy-intensive aspect of cooling your home, so if your system is cycling frequently you are probably doubling the amount of energy that your home is consuming. In addition, turning on and off is also the most work-intensive for an HVAC system so all of the extra cycles will wear down the components and age your system. In the long run, if you don’t deal with the problem you could end up shortening the lifespan of your A/C which is not worth the costs of avoiding a simple air conditioning service repair.
High Humidity Rates in Your Home
Tennessee has hot and humid summers, so some extra humidity may not surprise you. However, if your A/C is doing its job correctly you will only feel extra humidity when you are outside. You should never notice excessive humidity while you are sitting inside. Especially if your A/C has been running on high all day. If you notice that it is starting to feel humid indoors then you have an issue that needs to be addressed by a professional right away.
If moisture levels are not consistent in your home, then you really need to schedule an air conditioning service so a technician can take a closer look at why this is happening. There are a lot of simple answers and a few more complicated ones such as the possibility that your system needs to be recalibrated. Either way, you need to do something because excessive humidity can wreak havoc on your home warping wood and destroying items you may have thought were safe in storage in your attic or basement.
Leaks Near Your A/C
You should never ignore any leaks that appear near your A/C system because there is a chance that one of these leaks may be refrigerant. Refrigerants are required to help cool down the air that is being sent through your home. It is normal for this process to create a bit of condensation, but it should never be enough that you can see a leak or poodle on the floor.
If you ever walk near your HVAC system and see a pool of water or an active leak you need to immediately call for air conditioning service. Refrigerant is toxic if ingested and cannot be left unaddressed. In addition, your A/C will not work once the refrigerant drains out of it so it is only a matter of time before your entire system shuts down.
Finally, large pooling or flooding can cause damage to your home and any belongings that are kept around your HVAC system. You don’t want to pay to replace items and then pay to replace your HVAC system, which is exactly what may happen if you ignore the issue.
Smelly Odors Coming Out of Your HVAC System
You should never smell anything coming out of your HVAC system. If you start to smell something coming out of your vents or near your HVAC system you need to quickly deal with the issue before your entire home starts to smell. Usually a quick air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN will be enough to diagnose the issue and remove the smell. Sometimes you just need a tune-up to address the smell, while in extreme cases you may have a dead rodent or other invader trapped and rotting in your ductwork. Either way, you need a trained technician to come in and take a look.
Bacteria can also grow in your ductwork along with mildew or mold and that can create disgusting odors as well that then pass out of your vents. A trained technician can use UV lights to find and destroy these types of growths.
If you have noticed bad odors in your A/C system or any other of the above signs it is important to call Metro Plumbing, Heating, & Air in Cleveland, TN for an air conditioning service appointment today. We can investigate and find a quick and cost-effective solution for you.
