Don’t Be Left in the Dark When There’s a Power Outage

Jan 4, 2022

Your air conditioning system is responsible for delivering cool air throughout your home. Thankfully, a typical HVAC system will last around 15 years before it needs to be replaced. However, it’s made up of several components that can break down along the way and shorten its lifespan. Unfortunately, catching these issues isn’t always as easy as your unit shutting off.

Sometimes symptoms pop up around or inside your home that can signal the need for repairs. So, how do you know if your AC is doing its job correctly? Our experts at Hobson AC have the answers. Keep reading to find out ways to be sure your AC is maximizing its efficiency.

To schedule an AC inspection with our experts, call us today at (817) 341-5142. 

3 Common Signs Your AC Isn’t Working Correctly

If you notice these common signs your AC isn’t working correctly, you should call a professional HVAC technician to inspect and repair or replace your system:

  • Warm air
  • Irregular cooling cycles
  • Foul odors

Warm Air

Warm air can mean several things in the AC world. While it may be an easy repair like restoring your fan or fixing thermostat functions, it can also signal the need for serious repairs like managing refrigerant leaks and electrical wiring in your HVAC system. Serious issues should be handled by professionals because electricity and chemicals are dangerous and can be deadly.

Irregular Cooling Cycles

The size of your unit can impact its cooling cycles. While an AC unit being too small for a room or home is a problem, one that is too big also causes issues. A unit that is too large for your home will shut off before a full cooling cycle is up because it reaches the intended temperature too quickly. This allows the room to heat back up before the next cooling cycle starts.

Irregular cooling cycles can also be due to a safety feature on your unit. A modern HVAC system may cut a cooling cycle if it detects voltage that is too high, in order to protect you and your family from electrical fires. Window air conditioners are often sold in 110-volt models, while central air systems need double the power to operate. 

Foul Odors

Depending on which strange smells your AC unit is emitting, it can mean different issues. Musty odors that have a hint of woodiness often signal mold or mildew growing in your unit, while a dirty sock smell likely indicates the need for a filter change. However, some odors can be dangerous, like a gas smell.

If you smell gas in your home or coming from your air conditioning system, you should open as many windows as you can and quickly call your local fire department to inspect your home for a potential gas leak. Gas leaks can poison humans and animals and cause fires in your home.

Trust Hobson AC With Your AC Repairs and Replacements

At Hobson AC, we understand the strange symptoms your HVAC system may be experiencing. Our qualified team can handle any of your AC repair or replacement needs. Serving the Weatherford area since 1962, we are leading experts in the HVAC industry.

Call our team of professionals to schedule your appointment today at (817) 341-5142. 

Whenever the next big storm hits, you could find yourself without reliable electricity here in Weatherford, TX. Maybe that isn’t such a big inconvenience if it’s just for a few hours, but what if it’s for longer than that? 

Planning ahead for storms and other eventualities is the best way to protect yourself and your family, and home backup generators are a great way to be ready for anything.

Keeping Your Home Up and Running with Whole House Generators

The most effective option for maintaining your home’s electrical supply, no matter what, is a whole house generator. These standby generators kick in automatically as soon as the power goes out – a valuable feature that’s far more than a simple convenience.

Consider what might happen if you’re not home when the power goes out. Left alone long enough without power, you could find yourself losing the food in your freezer or refrigerator. During the winter months, you could lose power when temperatures are below freezing, leading to burst pipes and worse damage.

Having a home backup generator can give you peace of mind that your home is safe and sound even when you’re not there. More than that, it also provides all of the amenities and comforts you’re used to at home, even when the power is out for an extended period.

The Capacity You Need in Home Backup Generators

A whole house generator will have enough capacity to power your entire home. It’s not about simply keeping the lights on but also about letting you run any appliance in your home.

During the summer months, you’ll be able to safely run your AC and enjoy your cool and comfortable home with your backup generator. In the winter, you’ll have the electricity needed for heat. Even gas furnaces require electricity for control and safety systems, so you can’t risk going without power.

The capacity you need for your standby generator is something you will need a professional electrician to figure out. They’ll help you find exactly what you need and will help you choose the right additional features for whole house generators.

Choosing the Best Home Backup Generators

While all whole house generators serve the same basic purpose, they can do so in a number of different ways. Generally speaking, these kinds of generators are available to run on natural gas, propane, or diesel. There are several factors in figuring out what’s right for you.

For the most part, if you already have a natural gas connection to your home, then that’s going to be the way to go. It’s cheap, safe, and plentiful. However, if you don’t have natural gas service to your home, this option won’t be available.

Propane is another attractive choice. It’s clean-burning and safe, and it’s also easy to store in large tanks. It also has a very long shelf life, meaning you can fill up your tanks and leave them for years without worrying about the quality of the fuel inside.

 

Diesel is commonly used because it’s easier to get ahold of in the case of an extended emergency. It’s also a very safe fuel source and incredibly stable in storage. Diesel generators also have lower maintenance costs compared to natural gas and propane.

You can discuss which option suits your individual needs with the licensed electrician who will be carrying out the installation.

Why Whole House Generators Are a Better Bet than Portable Generators

You may already be familiar with portable generators. These typically run on gasoline and are used for a wide variety of non-emergency situations, wherever portable power is needed. 

Many people think they’re convenient because they don’t take up much space, they aren’t too expensive, and they can be filled with readily available gasoline.

However, is a portable generator the right choice to protect your home from power outages? The short answer is that they really aren’t. While it’s better than nothing, a portable generator doesn’t meet all of the requirements that home backup generators do.

For one thing, portable generators can only put out so much power. You might be able to keep your freezer running to prevent thawing or run a microwave for a hot meal, but you can’t power your whole home. You won’t be able to run your HVAC system, either.

You also need to use extension cords to reach a portable generator because it’s steadily putting out gasoline exhaust fumes. It’s dangerous to put a portable generator indoors, so you’re going to be stuck running extension cords out the door. 

Whole house generators have the advantage here because they’re wired directly to your home’s electrical system, so there is no need for extension cords.

Whole House Generators in Weatherford, TX

The team at Hobson Air Conditioning provides reliable whole house generator installations here in Weatherford, TX, that will keep your home running during power outages. We make sure that you get the right model for your needs and that it’s installed for safe and effective operation.

First, we’ll discuss what your specific needs are to determine which of the many home backup generators we offer are right for you. Based on the size of your home, your heating and cooling systems, and other factors, our professional electricians will find the right size generators to meet your needs.

Next, we’ll work out what type of fuel is best for you between gas, propane, and diesel. Our team is fully licensed for work on both gas and electrical systems, so we can ensure that every part of your whole house generator’s installation goes smoothly and safely.

Hobson Air Conditioning has been serving Weatherford since 1962, and in that time, we’ve become the most trusted team around. You’ll always get professional, courteous, and effective service when you go with us. 

You can reach out to our team today to get a reliable quote on a whole house generator installation that will keep your lights on, no matter what.

Other Ways Hobson AC Can Help You

As a full-service HVAC company, Hobson AC can address any problem you may have with your home’s heating or air conditioning systems. Whether you require repairs, maintenance, replacement, or a new installation, you can rely on our expert technicians to deliver high-quality workmanship and excellent customer service.

Some of Our HVAC Services Include These & More:

  • Duct cleaning
  • AC repairs
  • AC maintenance
  • AC installations
  • Heating repairs
  • Heating maintenance
  • Heating installations

If you require one of these services or something similar, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert service from an experienced heating & air conditioning technician. If you don’t see your needs described above or aren’t sure if we can help, get in touch with Hobson AC today anyway and we’ll help you assess your situation and offer services you may need!

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If your Heating & Cooling System is 10 years old or more, this is the Opportunity of the Year to save up to $2,500 on a new Air Conditioning & Heating System