Why Is My AC So Loud?

February 2, 2023. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • Corpus Christi

Air conditioners can make our homes comfortable, especially on hot and humid days. But that comfort can be minimized when you find yourself asking, “Why is my AC so loud?” If you notice whistling, banging or rattling sounds coming from your AC, it’s probably time for a tune-up. It can also be your AC’s way of telling you that there’s a more severe issue and that you should call a professional.

If your AC is disturbing your peace at home, here are the possible reasons for its loud noises. While there are some home fixes you can try, the best way to deal with the issue is to leave it in the hands of capable HVAC specialists. They will assess your AC thoroughly and provide the best possible solution.

Here are the most common types of AC noises and what they mean.

Banging or Clanking

If your AC is making banging noises, that’s usually … Read Full Post »

Why Does My AC Capacitor Keep Going Out?

January 23, 2023. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • Austin

If you’re having repeated issues with your AC capacitor, you may be wondering, “why does my AC capacitor keep going out?” The capacitor is one of the most vital components of an air conditioning system, providing the motor with bursts of energy when needed. Unfortunately, it is also the most prone to breakdowns, especially under a heavy workload.

If you have been experiencing problems with your capacitor, we will review some possible reasons why it could be acting up. We also cover how capacitors work and how you can check yours at home. However, it can be complicated to fix it yourself. It is best to contact an HVAC professional to do the job for you.

Most Common Reasons for AC Capacitor Failure

Capacitors have a tough job, making them prone to wear and tear. It’s not unusual for an AC’s capacitor to break down, requiring more repairs than other parts. Here are … Read Full Post »

How Does a Furnace Work?

November 25, 2022. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

A furnace is one of the most important elements of any home, providing heat and comfort throughout the colder months. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the appliances in a home that homeowners don’t understand all that well.

Understanding at least the operational basics helps you understand how your heating system, and even your larger HVAC system, works. This gives you an educated head start if and when a heating situation arises.

Understanding your heating system can also help you evaluate the need for professional HVAC assistance.

How A Furnace Works

There are many different components of a heating system that work together to heat your home. Here are the steps involved in how a furnace heats your home.

Air is collected from the return register and passes through an air filter to remove particles.
The furnace starts when the thermostat signals that the home has dropped below the desired temperature.
The ignition starts the burner and flames … Read Full Post »

The Different Types of Insulation

November 18, 2022. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Air Conditioning & Heating • Dallas-Fort Worth

TAP, which is a type of insulation, in an attic

When the temperatures are high or low, we count on insulation to help us be comfortable in our homes. It’s important to learn how insulation works and what type suits your specific situation best.

The first thing to know is that insulation has an R-value. This measures how resistant the insulation is to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more resistant the material is to heat transfer. The recommended R-value varies according to where you live, the type of insulation you have and its thickness and density.

Typically the higher the R-value, the better the climate control and energy efficiency. Most homes have insulation in the attic and under floors that are above unfinished basements or crawl spaces. It is most effective when placed along exterior walls and basement walls. It can also be helpful to add insulation to attics and crawl spaces. Regardless, it doesn’t matter if your home is … Read Full Post »

Why Won’t My Heat Turn On?

November 2, 2022. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • Austin

When it’s cold out, the last thing you want is to deal with a malfunctioning heater. Unfortunately, there are several reasons why your heater won’t turn on or won’t stay on.

The good news is that homeowners can try easy at-home solutions before contacting professional help. Sometimes the problem is as simple as replacing air filters.

However, the problem can become more serious and require repairs or replacement parts. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed heating professional to look at your system. Scheduling a yearly maintenance check is the best way to ensure your heater will keep you warm all winter.

Why Won’t My Heat Turn On?

There are several reasons why your heat won’t turn on. Luckily, most of them are easy to identify and fix, so you don’t have to stay cold for long.

Regular Maintenance Issues

The leading reason heaters won’t turn on is that they weren’t properly maintained, … Read Full Post »

Furnace Fan Won’t Turn Off: What’s Wrong?

October 28, 2022. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

a house where the furnace fan won't turn off

Is the blower fan on your furnace running continuously? When the furnace fan won’t turn off, several different things could be causing it to keep running. It’s a good idea to address this or contact professional help quickly. A constantly running blower fan is not just a waste of electricity. It’s also a signal of a potential problem with your heating and cooling system.

Check Out the Problem

The first and simplest check is to make sure your thermostat is set to AUTO rather than ON. If it’s set to ON, change it to AUTO. This should allow the blower fan to shut off within just a few minutes.

If that doesn’t do the trick, the next possibility is that the thermostat is set to an overly high temperature. This can cause the blower fan to run continuously as the system tries hard to bring your home to the desired temperature. To rule … Read Full Post »

Heat Isn’t Working in the House: What’s Wrong?

September 7, 2022. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Air Conditioning & Heating • Dallas-Fort Worth

When the weather finally turns cool, we want our furnaces to kick on when necessary. When they don’t or when the furnace turns on but there’s no heat, we want to know why and fast. Here are several reasons the heat isn’t working as it should.

Check the Setting

It might seem silly, but not having the thermostat set to heat is often why the heater isn’t turning on. Simply set the desired temperature and turn the unit to “heat” and things should start working correctly.

Safety Switches

All furnaces built after the 1990s have safety switches. They play a crucial role in your heating system. If you have a gas-fueled heater and a switch detects that gas is being supplied to the heater but is not igniting, the switch will turn off the system. They will also turn off your heating system if it gets too hot or if they detect a carbon … Read Full Post »

What Size Furnace Do I Need?

August 31, 2022. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • Corpus Christi

A working furnace is a vital part of any home, even in warmer states like Texas. The last thing you want is to have a malfunctioning furnace in the dead of winter. If your furnace is reaching the end of its life, you’ll want to reach out to a heating specialist. A heating specialist knows all the calculations and factors that must be considered before making a large purchase like this one.

While some homeowners may think the bigger the better, this isn’t always the case. A furnace that is too big will also work too hard, which results in skyrocketing energy bills. On the other hand, a furnace that is too small will not heat your home completely, leaving you cold in the winter. Plus, it will have a shorter lifespan since it is working overtime to produce enough heat.

So, what do heating specialists look at when determining what size … Read Full Post »

Why Does My AC Smell Like Vinegar?

July 12, 2022. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

air that smells like vinegar blowing through a home

Is there anything better than the fresh cool breeze of an air conditioner on a sweltering summer day? No way.

However, if your AC smells like rotten eggs or vinegar, that pleasant respite from the heat is going to sour. Air conditioners that emit an unpleasant smell are not only a buzzkill to your refreshment and comfort, they are also warning signs of serious functional issues and potentially expensive breakdowns.

In short, that bad smell is your AC’s way of letting you know that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. An off-putting vinegar odor is most typically caused by a build-up of bacteria or mold in your AC system. This can continue to grow and spread throughout your home.

The good news is that this is a fairly common issue and there are some tried-and-true methods to resolve it.

The first step in dealing with a sour-smelling air conditioner is to determine … Read Full Post »

Why Am I Getting No Power to My Thermostat?

June 21, 2022. Posted by Ryan Downer in Air Conditioning & Heating • Austin

Your AC is a complex system made up of many interconnected parts. If any one part fails, the system can’t work at peak efficiency. But if the thermostat isn’t working, the whole air-conditioning system is down. The thermostat is the little box on your wall that controls the AC. No power to thermostat means you can’t turn your AC on or off, or set it to the right temperature.

Simple Fixes

When your thermostat loses power, there are a few simple things to check first. The very first thing to do is to make sure it’s actually turned on. This is especially something to check with older thermostats. As long as they are receiving power, newer digital thermostats will still show something on their displays, even when they are off. If your thermostat is digital and its display screen is completely blank, that likely means it has lost power.

If your home has … Read Full Post »