Keep your HVAC in working condition by calling a professional HVAC technician
You’ll need to call HVAC repair if your unit isn’t functioning properly.
Follow a seasonal HVAC maintenance schedule to keep track of issues with your unit.
Have an HVAC inspection performed at least once per year to ensure your unit runs correctly.
Not every rattle or hiss is a problem, but knowing when to call a HVAC repair technician for more severe issues is essential. If you don’t keep up with HVAC repairs, you could end up with a broken unit or more costly repairs.
If you notice warning signs, such as warm air blowing through the vents, burning smells, or strange noises coming from your HVAC system, it’s time to check out the problem. Luckily, our guide will show you when to call for HVAC repair.
HVACs are one of the most complicated and essential systems in our homes. To avoid further damage or safety risks, always hire a certified HVAC specialist to repair or replace broken parts.
While performing your annual HVAC maintenance checklist, you might notice some parts of your system are malfunctioning. Sometimes, it’s an easy fix, such as changing your filters and ensuring your thermostat works correctly. However, there are times when the issues require an HVAC professional. Here are some common signs that you need to hire professional HVAC repair:
If all parts of your HVAC system work correctly, you should get consistent, cool air blowing through your vents during the warm months. However, if hot air blows or very little cool air comes from your vents, you need to call an HVAC repair pro. The problem might be an AC freon leak, which is when your AC’s refrigerant runs too low, causing your home’s cooling capacity to dwindle.
Seeing a water pool around your AC unit clearly indicates something is wrong. The problem could be that your AC overflow pan is leaking or there may be a clogged condensate line. If your condensate line is clogged, it can cause your AC unit to freeze over due to trapped water inside the unit.
When your AC unit isn’t functioning properly, it uses more energy and takes longer to cool your home. Since your AC unit is working harder to deliver cool air, you’ll notice an increase in your electricity bill. At this point, you’ll want to bring in a pro to perform an HVAC inspection. You’ll pay between $150 and $500, but you’ll also figure out what’s causing your higher electric bills. Ultimately, you’ll go on to save energy costs in the future.
Foul odors are a sure sign of an issue with your HVAC system. First, if you smell anything burning, it could be that the wires inside of the HVAC are burning. In that case, turn off the unit and call an HVAC professional immediately.
Next, and more commonly, you’ll likely smell a musty odor. If bacteria grow inside your HVAC unit, it can produce mold and mildew inside your ducts, leading to a stale smell from your vents. You’ll likely need a proper air duct cleaning, and you can expect to pay $270 to $500 for this service.
If your HVAC unit is making any banging, buzzing, hissing, or rattling noises, it’s probably time to call HVAC repair. These noises usually indicate:
Hissing noises: Indicates leaking ducts or an improperly fitted filter
Clanging noises: Indicates loose parts inside the HVAC unit
Rattling noises: Indicates leaves and twigs stuck inside the unit
Whether or not these noises indicate a larger problem, it’s best to bring in a pro to identify and fix the issue.
If your home’s cooling is inconsistent in each room, you probably need to call for HVAC repair. The problem could be as small as a filter change or that furniture is blocking the vents. However, it could also be a sign of more significant issues. There may have been improper installation of the HVAC or ductwork, leaks in the air ducts, or a lot of trapped dirt and debris clogging the ducts. In addition to calling an HVAC pro, you can also check your homeowner's warranty for any coverage or discounts on HVAC repairs and replacements.
When the motor in your HVAC stops working, you might mistakenly believe that the unit has died. However, there are several reasons why the motor stopped working, including:
Ice formed on your evaporator coils
Breaker or fuse got too hot
Not enough airflow
Too much grime, dirt, and debris buildup
Whatever the cause, if your motor stops running, it’s time to call HVAC repair.
There are two ways to perform a proper HVAC check. First, you can follow a seasonal HVAC maintenance schedule to ensure your unit keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If you break up the maintenance tasks seasonally, tackling them will be much easier. You’ll also have a better idea of when to call HVAC repair to address serious issues.
Otherwise, you can hire a pro to perform an HVAC inspection, which includes a complete evaluation of your thermostat, coolant levels, electrical systems, evaporator coils, pressure checks, and an overall examination of your HVAC’s internal operations. You’ll pay an average of $300, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your system is operating at total capacity.
We recommend hiring a licensed AC repair company near you when you need to call for HVAC repair. The average cost of an AC repair is $350. Since it can be dangerous for homeowners to perform deep internal inspections of their HVAC unit, it’s well worth calling a professional to diagnose and fix your HVAC problems.
Aside from needing HVAC repair, there are times when you may need to replace your unit. HVAC replacement costs $5,000 to $12,500. Here are some telltale signs that your HVAC unit is going bad:
Your unit is 10 years or older.
Your home is very humid.
The unit keeps cycling without producing cool air.
You need to repair the unit frequently.
You should have your HVAC serviced at least once per year. A HVAC pro can perform maintenance twice a year if your unit is older or has many issues. You can expect to pay between $100 and $550 for HVAC maintenance, which includes a thorough tune-up, routine service, proactive and reactive maintenance, and emergency maintenance services.
With the proper maintenance and repairs, your HVAC can last 15 to 25 years. However, it depends on the type of equipment you have and the average lifespan of each, including:
Oil furnace: 10–15 years
Gas furnace: 20–30 years
Boiler: 20–35 years
AC unit: 7–20 years (location dependent)
Heat pump: 10–20 years
Ductless mini-split: 10–30 years
