5 Signs Your HVAC is Failing

Beware of Repairs

The city of Houston is known for many things. This ever-growing metropolis and all of its smaller townships, cities, and surrounding areas produce great wonders for this country and the world at large. A pioneer and leader of space travel and exploration, an energy hub that has influence across the entire planet, and a diverse cultural population are just some of the reasons we are proud to call this beautiful concrete speck of the Earth home.

This is a city with a lot to offer, and so it’s no wonder that millions are willing to put up with a ridiculous combination of natural heat, humidity, and heat that is amplified from our man-made construction and reconfiguration of the natural landscape.

Summer is here and the last thing anyone wants to be without is a properly functioning residential HVAC unit. A/C is your best friend when 95 is the reading on both the outdoor humidity chart and the temperature gauge. Luckily, our units receive a bit of relief during the winter months but these are typically short-lived and the real test of our HVAC units are about to begin.

Do you know the health of your HVAC unit? Are you sure it’s ready for another harsh Houstonian summer?

Fear not, with our comprehensive guide, we’ll take a look at the warning signs to be aware of and how to help your residential HVAC unit survive and thrive in summer!

Have a question about one of our services? Contact Cruz Air & Electric Today!

5 Signs Your Residential HVAC is Breaking Down

Knowing the warning signs that your A/C is going out can help you prevent further damage and create a solution faster than waiting for a full-on breakdown. Before you experience the misery that is a home without adequate cooling, be sure to check out the warning signs below to see if you’re in need of a residential HVAC unit specialist:

1. Your HVAC unit isn’t blowing cold air. This is probably the most obvious and “duh” statement that we could list, and yet, it is probably also one of the most important. Sure, if your A/C unit is consistently not blowing cold air and hot air is being circulated throughout the home, it can be easy to spot this as an issue that needs to be address; however, homeowners may miss chances to avoid this serious issue if their home stops blowing cooler air only periodically. If your home’s HVAC system is struggling rather than failing to produce cold air, take this as a huge sign that your unit is in need of assistance from a trained professional. Counting such errors as a fluke will only further invite opportunities for failure and ultimately result in more problems for your residential HVAC unit and the occupants inside.
2. You’re finding signs that the humidity in your home is higher than normal. If your A/C unit is working correctly, a portion of its job is to maintain a proper level of humidity in your home. Having too much humidity can lead to things such as mold and create an environment with inadequate air quality. Subsequently, this results in air conditioning units having to work harder to maintain a proper temperature. When our home air conditioner is being overworked, this will also lead to more breakdowns and the need for further repairs. Monitoring our homes for excess humidity will not only help us save our HVAC system, but also headaches and money in the long run.

What smells? Oh, that’s the HVAC system. Funny smells radiating throughout your home? It may go further than your son neglecting to wash his soccer uniform from 3 days ago. Odd smells, specifically over time that flow throughout a home, are a tell-tale sign that a home air conditioner is sadly on its way out. If these smells are out of the ordinary and persist, seeking professional help for your HVAC system may be the solution.
Centerpoint is getting even more than your money than usual. I don’t think many of us would consider the rates in which we pay for our home’s energy “cheap”; however, some bills are better than others. If your home’s usage and consequently overall the price of your bill have risen, it may be a sign that your A/C is not functioning properly. Keeping a record of your household’s usage and the cost of your bills is a great way to gauge and monitor usage.
Your home is around 10 years old. While the Department of Energy suggests that a residential HVAC system can last about 15-20 years, this is just an average lifespan. The fact is, air conditioning units work harder in Houston than compared to many other areas within the country. Expect your HVAC system to be on the lower end of an average life span as opposed to the higher side. Be sure to give your air conditioning unit proper rest to help expand its lifetime and maximize your home’s comfort level.

Using this guide, homeowners can prepare and stay aware of potential issues and obstacles their A/C may encounter this summer season. Going beyond the obvious benefit of a comfortable home, our HVAC systems play an important role in maintaining quality air, keeping us at a healthy temperature, and maintaining structural integrity by regulating humidity.

Keep Your Cool This Summer

Noticing any of the issues previously listed?

Concerned that your home is not quite ready for another Southern summer?

Speak with the knowledgeable staff at Cruz Air & Electric about your residential HVAC unit issues for a free quote with no obligation. Servicing the North/Northeast Houston areas for over 35 years, see what these leaders in the HVAC industry can do for you!