Tag: ac

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.

Knowing When It’s Time To Replace An Air Conditioner

Posted by acman on August 1, 2017

Is It Time To Replace Your Current HVAC System?

AC Man Houston | Replace Your Houston AC One of the most important decisions when it comes to owning a home is knowing when it is time to replace or repair your heating and air conditioning system. Many people make costly repairs instead of replacing their unit; however, these costs can quickly add up. A new heating and cooling system will last approximately 15 years when it is properly maintained. If you are trying to decide if it is time to replace your current unit or continue making repairs, continue reading this article.

Questions to Consider

Does your heating and cooling system need repairs often?
Have your utility bills increased for no apparent reason?
Does your HVAC seem to run more frequently than it once did?
Is your heating and cooling system older than 10 years?
Does your system no longer keep your home at a comfortable temperature?

If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, it may be time to have your heating and cooling system inspected by a professional. Because an HVAC system is intricate, you will need to know the warning signs of when it is time to replace your unit. If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above and have to make repairs to your HVAC system frequently, it is time to replace your current HVAC unit.

Symptoms to Look Out For

If you begin to notice water on the floor under the furnace or corrosion inside the unit, your heat exchange may have developed holes or cracks. This can be a dangerous situation because the gasses from the unit could escape and enter your home. These gasses include carbon monoxide. Other symptoms of a problem with the heat exchange include soot around your heat registers or furnace or an exhaust odor that permeates your house. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is time to have your furnace replaced to protect you and your loved ones.

A failing or broken air conditioner is loud and does not cool your home effectively. If you begin to hear sounds that are out of the ordinary or your air conditioner is not cooling your home, it may be time for a replacement HVAC system.

Routine maintenance is the key to keeping your HVAC system running efficiently. In order to keep your home comfortable year-round, you must maintain your system. If routine maintenance is no longer working, talk to your local Houston air conditioning company or contact AC Man Houston about getting a new system for your house.

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!

A/C Man Houston Teaches Ice and Air Conditioners Don’t Mix

Posted by acman on July 3, 2017

Discover Why Air Conditioners And Ice Don’t Mix

It makes perfect sense that most people depend on their HVAC Tech when they need expert advice about their air conditioning. If any of them have told you, however, that it’s normal to see ice anywhere on your unit, you’ve been misinformed. Of course, it’s understandable why you would think that’s normal and believe anyone who told you that.

Most people associate cold air and ice as having a relationship and so if they see such a thing with their air conditioning unit they think it’s normal. Unfortunately, however, this means that your air conditioner is actually not doing its job. It’s, in fact, a clear indication that your unit is in need of repair in Houston. Please visit here for more information regarding the services we provide. Air conditioners and ice don’t go together, and if you see any appearing on your unit you shouldn’t ignore it.

Understand How The Cooling Process Works

An air conditioning unit doesn’t use a freezing method to cool the home. At no time does your air conditioner create ice. For that reason, there shouldn’t ever be ice on the unit as a by-product. Heat pumps and air conditioners actually transfer heat from one place to another place.

So when the unit is set for cooling it will take heat from inside your home and move it outside. This process is accomplished by using chemical refrigerant which will condense and evaporate during the exchange of heat. The evaporator coil does get very cold from the refrigerant but when the process is working correctly it won’t create ice because as well as cooling, it is also warmed up as heat passes over.

If You See Ice It Needs Service

AC Man Houston | Ice On Your Air Conditioner in Houston TX When ice accumulates, there’s something going wrong with the system that you will need to have serviced. It’s possible that you have a clogged air filter. The air filters purpose in an air conditioner is there to protect the working parts in the unit. If it becomes clogged it’s unable to work efficiently and heat will not be pulled over the evaporator coil as it should. That leads to the coil becoming too cold and any moisture there will begin to freeze. The ice then creates a barrier that makes the evaporator coil unable to do its job.

You could have a dirty coil. As debris and dirt build up over time it can also make a barrier that prevents the coil from doing its job. Just like the ice, it will then trigger the moisture to freeze because the coil is too cold.

It may be a leak that’s allowing refrigerant to escape. Leaks are not normal and they shouldn’t be happening if everything is as it should be. If you’ve noticed that your refrigerant levels have reduced it could lead to your compressor being damaged. This problem also reduces the unit’s ability to absorb heat on the evaporator coil.

Once ice starts accumulating on the coil it has to be serviced because otherwise, it will just continue to get worse. You don’t want to make the mistake of trying to scrape the ice off because that doesn’t solve the problem that creates the ice. That’s why you’ll need to call on a professional to fix the problem.

If you’re in the Houston area and want to schedule a quality air conditioning service tech for a consultation, all you need to do is call AC Man Air Conditioning And Heating today.