needs Archives - Air Works Heating & Air

Key Warning Signs a Home Heater Needs Professional Repair

When to Call for Heater Repair

A dependable heating system should keep indoor spaces warm without major spikes in utility costs or worrying noises. When something changes in how a heater runs, small issues can quickly grow into larger problems that affect safety, comfort, and efficiency. Recognizing early warning signs makes it easier to schedule heating repair before a breakdown leaves a household in the cold. This overview looks at three major red flags: unexplained increases in heating bills, unusual sounds or odors from the heater, and rooms that simply do not warm up as they should.

High Utility Bills

A sudden jump in heating costs often indicates that a heater is working harder than necessary. Worn components, failing sensors, dirty burners, or airflow restrictions can all reduce efficiency, forcing the heating system to run longer to reach the same temperature. Even if the thermostat setting has not changed, a malfunctioning unit may cycle on more frequently or stay on for extended periods.

Professional heater repair can address the underlying cause of wasted energy. A technician can test performance, clean critical parts, and replace failing components so the heater operates closer to original design levels. Restored efficiency typically means shorter run times, more stable temperatures, and more manageable winter utility bills.

Unusual Sounds or Smells

Heaters make some noise during normal operation, but new or worsening sounds deserve attention. Banging, rattling, squealing, or grinding may indicate loose parts, motor problems, or ignition issues inside the heating system. Ignoring those warning signs can lead to more serious damage and costly repairs later.

Smells offer another important clue. A light, dusty odor at the first seasonal start-up is common, but persistent burning smells, sharp metallic scents, or any odor resembling smoke should not be overlooked. These can point to overheating components, electrical problems, or other safety concerns. Prompt heater repair helps identify the exact source of the sound or smell, ensuring that the system runs safely and as efficiently as possible.

Insufficient Heating

Rooms that never feel fully comfortable are a clear sign that a heater is struggling. Common complaints include:

The home never reaching the thermostat setting
Some areas feeling warm while others stay chilly
The heater running almost nonstop with little improvement in comfort

These symptoms can stem from issues such as a failing blower motor, clogged filters or ductwork, incorrect thermostat calibration, or declining overall heater performance. In some cases, the heating system may have lost enough efficiency that it can no longer deliver adequate warmth to distant rooms.

A heating repair specialist can evaluate airflow, temperature output, and system controls to pinpoint the cause of insufficient heating. Restoring proper operation helps distribute warm air more evenly, enhances comfort throughout the home, and allows the equipment to run in a more efficient, controlled manner.

About Air Works Heating & Air

Air Works Heating & Air is an award-winning plumbing, heating, cooling, and indoor air quality company offering flat-rate pricing on a comprehensive range of HVAC services in Raleigh and the nearby areas. Their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee is backed by prompt and professional service from their trustworthy, NATE-certified technicians. Call them today to schedule heater repair in Raleigh, NC.

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How Ductless Mini Splits Can Meet All Your Home’s Heating And Cooling Needs

All About the Ductless Mini Split

When it comes to heating and cooling, most homeowners are familiar with traditional central heating and cooling systems. After all, these central HVAC units have been around for decades and are the standard for heating and cooling in most homes. However, the past few years have seen the rise of an alternative to the centralized system, the mini-split system.

As its name implies, a mini-split is a smaller machine than a central HVAC and is “split” into two component units – an indoor air handler and an outdoor compressor connected minimally by electrical wiring and tubing for the refrigerant. This design is what allows the mini split to enjoy the following advantages over traditional central heating and cooling systems:

Reduce Cost of Energy Consumption

Doing away with the ductwork removes much of the heat loss inherent in centralized HVACs. Lengthy ductwork inside the home is where most leaks come from, allowing heat to escape and significantly lowering an HVAC’s energy efficiency. Because a mini split does not have that kind of area of vulnerability, it is more energy efficient. Consequently, it consumes less energy, and we all know that greater energy efficiency translates to greater savings in monthly energy bills.

Another way that mini splits can save homeowners money in energy bills is because of the mini split heat pump. While some systems are only categorized as mini split air conditioners, most are equipped with both heating and cooling systems powered by a heat pump. Heat pumps are considered energy-saving because they don’t generate heat; they only move it from one place to another.

Hassle-free Mini Split Installation

The absence of ductwork also means that a mini split AC can be installed in less time than it takes to install a traditional ducted HVAC system. For simpler mini-split installations involving only one pair of indoor and outdoor units, the process can be done in a few hours, with more complex, multi-room system setups requiring up to two days.

In comparison, a full, ducted HVAC installation can take up to five days, with two days set aside just for the ductwork for an average-sized house – more for larger homes.

Seeing how these two stack up against each other in terms of installation time gives homeowners a good option for situations such as retrofitting old homes that don’t have ductwork or those without adequate space for ducts. Mini-splits are also great for additional spaces that are used sparingly, such as sunrooms or three-season rooms.

Flexible And Customizable Temperature Settings

Another appealing feature of the ductless mini-split system is how it can accommodate more than one temperature setting for different parts of the home. Centralized systems usually set one temperature for the whole house, which might not always meet the needs of each room.

With mini splits, each room can have a different indoor handler with a separate temperature setting from other rooms with other indoor handlers. This creates more comfortable zones that respond to the needs of individual people in different rooms.

About AirWorks Heating & Air

AirWorks Heating & Air are the trusted heating and AC experts in Wake Forest, NC, and throughout Wake County. This family-owned and operated company has been in business since 2007, offering a full menu of heating and cooling repair, maintenance, and installation, including duct and vent cleaning. Their technicians are NATE certified and ensure a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for HVAC services in Wake Forest, NC.

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Symptoms an Evaporator Coil Needs Cleaning

Signs You Need Professional Evaporator Coil Cleaning

An evaporator coil plays an integral part in keeping homes cool. These components allow air conditioners to remove hot air and disperse cooled air throughout a home. To prevent these problems from interfering with an air conditioner and causing a home to become uncomfortable, homeowners should schedule professional coil cleaning services. These services will allow an AC unit to operate more energy efficiently and better cool a home.

Homeowners should schedule evaporator coil services if their HVAC is not properly cooling their house if frost builds up on the component, or if other problems prevent it from properly cooling the house.

Loss of Cooling Function

One symptom homeowners need to be aware of that can indicate they need to schedule evaporator coil cleaning services is if their house is not cooling to the setting on the thermostat. A dirty coil can prevent the air conditioner from properly cooling a house.

This can be due to:

Frost or ice built up on the coil
Refrigerant leaks
Coil corrosion or damage to the component
Clogged coils due to dust, dirt, or debris

If homeowners notice these symptoms, they should call an HVAC contractor and schedule evaporator coil cleaning services.

Frost

Frost on an evaporator coil can require professional AC coil cleaning services to remove it and allow an air conditioner to work correctly.

If frost accumulates on a coil, it can prevent airflow from properly going through the coil. This can happen for various reasons, including a clogged air filter or a blocked vent. This prevents the coil from correctly absorbing heat and producing cooled air.

Property owners must call for professional services immediately if they have frozen evaporator coils.

The AC Runs Longer

Homeowners should also look for signs that their air conditioner is running longer than necessary to determine if they have dirty evaporator coils. Symptoms of longer cycles can be seen in rising utility bills.

This happens when an evaporator coil is dirty and cannot correctly cool the house to the desired temperature. It can cause the AC unit to run continuously by:

Reducing the cooling efficiency due to frost buildup or dirt accumulation
Failing to absorb heat from the air correctly
Overworking due to a faulty heat exchange process
Inconsistent cooling throughout the house
A malfunctioning sensor that prevents the air conditioner from turning off

Homeowners should schedule AC evaporator coil cleaning services with a professional if they notice any of these issues. An AC contractor will inspect the component and the entire AC system and perform necessary repairs or services.

About Air Works Heating & Air

Since 2007, Air Works Heating & Air has provided Raleigh with quality air conditioning and furnace services. They offer 100% satisfaction guaranteed for all services and provide straightforward pricing to all clients. Call them today for HVAC services in Franklinton, NC.

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Five colorful refrigerant gas cylinders labeled R-410A, R-404A, R-22, R-407C, R-134A for HVAC services by Air Works.

Refrigerant Facts Every Household Needs To Know

What Homeowners Need to Know About Refrigerant

After a long day in the summer sun, Raleigh homeowners want to retreat to their cool, comfortable homes. If they walk in and their house is warmer than it should be, it can immediately cause fear and anxiety. Is the air conditioner broken? Is the thermostat malfunctioning?

It can be an issue with the AC system’s refrigerant or coolant. Refrigerant, a substance in an air conditioner’s coils, is essential to cool a home to the desired temperature. It absorbs the heat and provides cool air to comfort the home.

Homeowners need to understand the basics of refrigerants. They need to understand what type to use in their AC system, what causes leaks, and when to call an HVAC technician.

How to Tell Which Refrigerant an AC Uses

For an air conditioner to function properly, homeowners need to recharge the unit with the correct type of refrigerant. Many homeowners are not aware that there are numerous types of refrigerants. Using the right type is essential, as these are not interchangeable. Using the wrong variation can result in damage to the system.

Using the wrong refrigerant can result in leaks, corrosion, and damage to key components in an AC system. These can ultimately result in breakdowns or costly repairs.

Property owners can determine the type of refrigerant their particular AC system requires by checking the label on the air conditioner. They can ask an AC technician for assistance if they cannot locate it.

If the AC unit was built before 2010, it likely uses R-22 (freon). Freon has been banned in newer models, as it is dangerous to the environment. Technicians may recommend replacing the air conditioner with a model that doesn’t use R22 refrigerant.

What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?

A common issue with an air conditioner is a refrigerant leak. These can be caused by numerous problems with an AC system, including:

Damaged components:Over time, system components, such as coils, fittings, valves, or connections, can become damaged. Corrosion, vibrations, physical stress, or wear and tear can lead to small cracks, gaps, or holes, allowing refrigerants to escape.
Poor installation: Improper installation of an air conditioner can cause refrigerant leaks. Inadequate sealing of joints, incorrect tightening of fittings, or using incompatible materials can create leakage points. To avoid these problems, systems need to be installed by qualified professionals who adhere to industry standards.
Manufacturing defects:Occasionally, manufacturing defects in AC components can lead to refrigerant leaks.
Vibrations and stress: Vibrations and mechanical stress can cause components to shift or loosen over time. This can lead to leaks.
Freeze-thaw cycles: If refrigerant lines are exposed to freezing temperatures, the expansion and contraction due to freeze-thaw cycles can cause joints or fittings to loosen or crack, leading to leaks.

Professionals can use refrigerant leak detectors to identify signs of a leak in a home and perform the necessary repairs.

When is it Time to Call a Professional?

Property owners need to call HVAC technicians as soon as possible after noticing the signs of a refrigerant leak, frozen coil, or another issue.

One of the most obvious symptoms is if a home is not cooling to the temperature setting on the thermostat. Without the right amount of refrigerant, AC systems cannot work properly.

Other signs property owners should watch for include if the AC runs continuously without shutting down, if there are hissing or gurgling sounds coming from the system as refrigerant escapes through small holes, or if there is a formation of ice on the refrigerant lines, causing frozen AC coils.

About Air Works Heating & Air

Since 2007, Air Works Heating & Air has provided heating and cooling services to the Raleigh area. They offer flat-rate pricing and 100% satisfaction guaranteed on every appointment. Call them today for HVAC services in Franklinton, NC.