Tag: ac problems

Common Furnace Problems

Posted by acman on August 11, 2018

Most Common Furnace Problems

Is your furnace blowing cold air instead of a blast of warm air? Are you experiencing a loud noise coming from your furnace and are not quite sure what to do about it? Such issues are a sign of problems with your HVAC system and will be the source of worry when the winter season comes knocking at your door. Knowing the common warnings can help you take the necessary corrective measures in good time so that you can have your furnace working in at optimal capacity. AC Man Of Houston came up with a list of the 4 most common furnace problems that people come across. The top furnace problems are listed below in no particular order.

1. Loud Grinding Noise

Scraping sounds that are similar to that of metal rubbing against another metal is a sure indication of something going wrong with the blower wheel. When the furnace starts making such a loud noise, then you want to switch off the machine and call AC Man Of Houston to check your furnace immediately. The issue with the blower wheel may vary so it is important to get an expert furnace repair specialist to come out and take a look. It could be that the wheel is loose and only needs to be tightened, that is if it is not damaged. If it is damaged, then the blower wheel will have to be replaced. The problem could also potentially be a broken motor mount which can be the primary cause for the entire blower assembly shaking.

2. Loud Bang When Your Furnace Kicks On

Know there may be several things going wrong when you hear your furnace making loud popping noises when it starts to run. The two likeliest culprits would be the ignitor or furnace burner are dusty, and this keeps the burning from igniting. The result of that is a buildup of gas in the furnace that then creates the loud noise. If left unchecked, it can eventually cause the heat exchanger to crack. Moreover, it is a notable problem that poses significant safety concerns and it must be taken care of immediately. Furnace repairs may require the replacement of the heat exchanger and can also help prevent a carbon monoxide leak which in many cases can be fatal. The cause of the loud bangs may also be due to the expansion and contraction of the air ducts when the system starts blowing hot air and then the cooling after that finally begins once the furnace is off. Most homeowners with HVAC systems that have metal ducts are not new to such an annoyance. If the cause of the loud noise is the air ducts, the issue at hand could be with obstructed vents, a clogged air filter or undersized ducts.

3. Whining Noise

In case the furnace produces a high-pitched sound, the problem may be with the shaft bearings that need oiling or with the blower motor or blower belt that are faulty. If you run the furnace seasonally, then it may be easy for you to pinpoint the problems and have them fixed. You may want to get advice from an expert furnace repair specialist from AC Man Of Houston. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. We are more than happy to help you with all of your furnace repair questions and concerns. We can help improve your indoor air quality today.

4. Furnace Blasting Cold Air

If the HVAC is producing cold air, then the issue may be due to a number of different reasons. The thermostat should be the first thing to check, which is also what any heating equipment technician will start with before looking at any other potential problems. You should check if the system is set to ‘auto’ and not ‘on’ so that the thermostat does not blow continuously and not releasing heated air. Setting it to ‘auto’ ensures that the machine only blows when the sensors can sense the need to heat up the air in the room. After the thermostat, the next thing to check are the air filters. Changing the filters every month is highly recommended because it keeps them from getting dusty and clogged up. The dust and blockage restrict the movement of air through the filters into and out of the furnace. The result of this is an overheated HVAC system which causes the equipment to stop working. The ductwork could also be the problem in that it may be installed incorrectly, it is leaking, or the wrong design was used. Such issues with the ducts could also cause the system to blow cold air and have it running continuously trying to achieve the desired heat or for a more extended period than expected to warm up the place. Besides the things mentioned above, that may be the reason behind your HVAC system blasting cold air, other causes of the heating inadequacy include normal wear and tear of the system.

For more information about common furnace problems and other related content, make sure to check our blog. If you would like to speak with a professional furnace repair specialist contact us today by giving us a call at (713) 460-2653.

How To Keep Bad Weather From Affecting Your HVAC System

Posted by acman on August 22, 2017

AC Man Houston Saves You The Cost of Replacing Your AC Due To Weather With These Tips

The Houston area is well known for its severe weather throughout the year. Proper preparation is essential. That not only means stocking in emergency supplies but also taking steps to safeguard your home’s HVAC system.

Bad weather can really do a number on your HVAC system if it isn’t properly protected. Try using these three tips to minimize the likelihood of any weather-related damage occurring:

Make sure loose items are put away or tied down. Severe weather often brings gusty winds along with it. If the wind is strong enough, it can wind up blowing objects into your outside condenser unit, causing damage as a result. In severe cases, it can even blow your entire condenser unit over. By securing any loose objects before bad weather hits, you can reduce the risk of damage.
Protect the condenser unit with a cover. The simple act of covering the outside portion of your air conditioning system with an approved cover can go a long way toward protecting it from the weather. This is especially important during periods of heavy rain or flooding.
Protect your unit from hail. Hailstones can cause significant damage once they get over a certain size. A hail guard can go a long way toward protecting your condenser unit from being damaged by these stones.

After a severe weather event, you should thoroughly inspect your HVAC system to check for any signs of problems. Begin by double checking that all of the wires are still properly connected. Loose wiring or other electrical problems can be extremely dangerous after a storm.

If you notice any problems, contact a Houston AC repairman right away. They can come to your home and inspect your unit, looking for any problems that need to be corrected. By working with a skilled HVAC specialist, you can make sure that your system is in great shape and that there are no problems that need to be corrected after an extreme weather event.

Call now for more information!

Does Your AC Need Repairs? What To Look For

Posted by acman on July 11, 2017

How To Know If Your AC Needs Repairs

One of the most important things that we often talk about here on our blog is the necessity of keeping on top of your air conditioning maintenance. Routine maintenance reduces the risk of needing expensive repairs by enabling us to inspect and adjust your system before major issues develop. However, even with regular maintenance to keep your system in top shape, there may still be a time when you’ll need professional AC services in Houston, TX.

The worst thing to could happen is for you to discover that a serious problem has developed when you need your cooling system the most. Our suggestion is to turn it on and test it well in advance of the hot weather if it’s been a while since you operated it. Turn it on, and take it on a “test run” of sorts, listing and looking for anything amiss. Here are some of the signs of a malfunctioning AC system that you should be aware of:

AC System Short Cycling

AC Man Houston | Houston AC Repair Short cycling occurs when your thermostat continuously turns your HVAC system on and off over a short period of time. This prevents the cooling system from completing the cooling cycle. Among the most common reasons that this happens is because the AC system is too large for the home that it’s installed in.

There are other issues that can cause short cycling also, such as leaky ductwork, stress on the compressor, or a malfunctioning thermostat. Any of these issues can cause an early system breakdown, which will require the services of experienced, professional HVAC technician.

Reduced Airflow

As your cooling system is running, walk to each room and check the vents for adequate airflow. Do you notice any rooms that don’t seem to be getting as much airflow as others? If one or more rooms seem to have sluggish airflow, something is likely wrong. The problem could be with the vents themselves, or it could be the air conditioner’s air handler.

Heated Spots

Testing your air conditioner on a relatively warm day is a good idea as it allows you to get a more accurate assessment of whether or not you have hot spots in your home. Hot spots are pockets of warm air caused by inadequate cooling inside the home. Verify that your room vents are not obstructed and are open and that they have proper airflow. If your vents are not the cause, it’s time to call for professional service.

Strange Noises

There should be no unexpected sounds coming from either the outdoor AC unit or the indoor AC cabinet. If you hear any shrieking, grinding, or unusual mechanical sounds, it can be an indicator that the motors are breaking down and need to be repaired or replaced. Clanking or rattling sounds could indicate loose parts, and hissing noises may indicate a dangerous refrigerant leak. As the homeowner, you’re typically going to be the first to notice unusual sounds coming from the cooling system. Don’t just ignore them, call the professionals in to take a look.

For the best Houston AC repair, contact AC Man Houston or call to schedule your AC inspection and repair services, and don’t forget our guarantee to you: we’ll repair before we’ll replace!

Getting To Know Your Air Conditioner in Texas

Posted by acman on June 27, 2017

What Causes AC Condenser Problems?

Given the climate that we live in here in Houston, you use the air conditioner are a routine basis. You probably take it for granted more often than you should. You only tend to notice its absence when something goes wrong because normally you are aware of how to keep your home cooled. One of the most important components of the system is the unit that sits outside. This is called the AC condenser.

The condenser unit works to release the heat the inside unit absorbs. It pushes that heat to the air outside. Without a functioning AC condenser, the hot air inside your home has nowhere to go. If something goes wrong with this, you need immediate help. Reach out to AC repair companies Houston to keep the unit from getting damaged more. More damage can lead to needing a full AC replacement.

The Role of the Condenser

The fluid that transfers heat from one point to another is the refrigerant. When this leaves your AC’s compressor it moves through the condenser coils. It does this after it adds pressure to the refrigerant that it gets inside the home.

When this happens, a fan blows over those coils and cools them down. They release heat to the outside air and then lets the cool air go back into your home. When your condenser develops problems, it can seriously harm the AC or even stop it completely from cooling your home causing a full break down.

What Are Some Condenser Problems

Here are some of the possible causes of AC condenser problems. Some are more severe than others.

Outdoor Debris: Because the condenser is located outside it is susceptible to accumulating damage from lawn clippings, leaves, sticks, and gravel. Make sure you keep the area surrounding the condenser as clear as you can. This reduces the chance for this to happen. Any object, no matter how small, can enter the cabinet and damage the motor, fan blade, or the belt causing the condenser to become impaired.

Refrigerant Leak: As discussed above, the refrigerant is the fluid that moves the heat from one spot to another. It moves through the lines that connect both the condenser and the indoor evaporator. Homeowners believe that it is natural for the refrigerant to dissipate. However, the reality is that a loss of refrigerant is due to a system leak. The smallest leak can develop into a major problem because leaks cause drops in cooling powers. They are damaging to the condenser.

Electric Failure: The motor inside the AC condenser operates the fan and the compressor. Since it is operated using electricity, a relay or capacitor malfunction could impact the condenser operation causing it to stop working. This could also be due to frayed wires inside the unit. If the compressor does not turn on, the likely source of the problem is an electrical one. Address this issue immediately for the safety of everyone in the home.

A/C Man Air Conditioning & Heating is here for you so contact us now. We are among the top AC repair companies Houston that you can choose for excellent air conditioning services. Call now for your free estimate!