Reasons to Have a Furnace / Heater Tune-Up

Nov 19, 2021

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. 

You may remember the old fable about the ant and the grasshopper. All spring and summer long, the grasshopper had a wonderful time enjoying the easy availability of food while he mocked the ant for working hard and storing food for the future. When winter arrived and the food was gone, the grasshopper found himself unprepared and desperate while the ant was ready for the long cold spell ahead.

That lesson applies to many things in our lives, from keeping your car’s oil changed regularly to yearly visits to your doctor to check on your own health. It also applies to being sure your heating system is ready for winter well before the first cold snap catches you unprepared.

As autumn arrives, you’ll hear heating professionals talking a lot about having your furnace maintained, and you may ask yourself, “Is a tune-up really necessary?”

The answer to that question is a simple “Yes, and it’s worth every penny of the money spent because the cost of maintenance is far less than the cost of a potential repair or even replacement.”

Saves WarrantyMost manufacturers’ warranties require consumers to properly maintain their HVAC systems to keep their warranties valid. This is perfectly understandable. After all, a warranty is in place to cover unpredictable defects the machine might have, not to cover parts and equipment that breakdown due to poor maintenance and neglect.

Saves EnergyA heating system with any sort of airflow restriction won’t run smoothly. It will also use more energy and cost you more money. On the other hand, clean, properly performing heating systems work more efficiently. They require less energy to run, and they’ll keep you and your family warm all winter long with lower electricity bills.

Saves You from Headaches and FrustrationA furnace and heater tune-up ensures your furnace will turn on and run properly. In Texas, an unexpected cold snap can happen anytime between September and Thanksgiving. When that happens, you want to be confident that your furnace will run the way it’s supposed to run and warm the way it’s supposed to warm. Anything else is unacceptable.

Saves MoneyAs in many things we encounter in life, it all comes down to money. An inefficient HVAC system can cause you to pay your electrical company by hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars each year that you wouldn’t be spending with an efficient and effective system.

In addition, having your system regularly inspected can eliminate having to shell out thousands of dollars because your warranty was voided due to neglect. It can prevent costly — and preventable — repairs down the road.

Saves LivesPerhaps the most important thing a tune-up does, however, is check for carbon monoxide leaks in your system if it uses gas. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer that needlessly kills or sickens hundreds of people each year. Modern-day homes are so tightly sealed, carbon monoxide that leaks into your house can’t escape, and that puts you and your family at a high risk of exposure.

“Carbon monoxide poisoning is relatively common, resulting in more than 20,000 emergency room visits a year in the United States. It is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries. In the United States, non-fire related cases result in more than 400 deaths a year.” – Wikipedia

As you can see, the benefits of having a winter furnace/heater tune-up far outweighs the expense. Give yourself the peace of mind of knowing your heater will function properly and your family will be safe this winter. To schedule your tune-up, contact us through this website. We look forward to hearing from you.

(AND… if you’d like even more savings, mention this article and book your tune-up for the special rate of just $49.00!)

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