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Modern homes are dependent on air conditioning and heating systems to maintain comfortable temperatures. Almost all homes in Rowlett, TX, have some form of HVAC system. These systems are such an integral part of life that they can be neglected easily. HVAC malfunctions often occur as a result of improper installation, old systems in need of upgrade, insufficient maintenance, and worn out parts. Your local heating and AC repair professionals are an excellent resource for keeping these vital systems running safely and your home comfortable.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious and potentially fatal hazard of problems with a furnace. Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. People sometimes ignore these symptoms because they are so vague and could be attributed to many things. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so it goes unnoticed without a carbon monoxide alarm.

Long-term exposure is fatal for people and animals, while the elderly, children, small pets, and people in poor health tend to succumb to fatal poisoning before healthy adults. Damaged heat exchangers are common causes of carbon monoxide buildup. This is such a serious issue that homeowners should regularly inspect furnaces and ventilation. Call a repair professional to evaluate and inspect the entire system and increase safety for everyone living in the household.

Gas Leaks and Odors

Most furnaces emit mild odors that are rarely noticed because we’re so accustomed to them. A change in that odor needs to be investigated immediately. A sulfuric odor, similar to the smell of rotten eggs, often comes from a gas leak somewhere in the house. The furnace is the most likely source. Gas leaks are dangerous and cause several explosions and deaths across the United States each year. Contact a heating and AC repair professional immediately. You may need to call your gas company as well, but some HVAC technicians can contact natural gas providers for you.

Never ignore a sharp, acrid odor that smells like something is burning. The odor could be coming from an overheated motor or damaged electrical wiring. Search the home or call for help and don’t stop searching until the source of the odor is found. Hire a heating and AC repair technician to install new HVAC units and components and perform routine maintenance of existing systems to reduce the risk of electrical hazards.

An odor in the first twenty-four hours after a furnace starts is normal, but it shouldn’t last longer than a day. Turn off the furnace with the shutoff valve and disable the oil supply, if possible. An electrical or ozone smell or the smell of burning plastic means something is hot enough to create that odor. Corroded or loose electrical connections are a common cause of structural fires. Turn off the electric and heating systems with the master switch and call a heating and AC repair specialist to address the problem.

Moisture and Cleanliness

Accumulated dirt and debris within vents and ducts are problematic for several reasons. This buildup can be flammable, especially if lint, paper, or dried out leaves are present. Particle buildup on vents, coils, and filters can also block airflow and cause malfunctions.

Clutter around furnaces or vents isn’t safe. Clothing, boxes, tools, and other household items that tend to accumulate in out-of-the-way places become a fire hazard around furnaces. Many furnaces are located in garages or closets, and people often use the same spaces for storage. Keep clutter and flammable chemicals, such as cleaning solutions or automotive supplies, away from furnaces. Consult heating and AC repair specialists to install furnaces or inspect existing systems to make sure they’re in appropriate areas with sufficient ventilation. Poor ventilation raises the risk of carbon monoxide buildup as well.

A musty smell seems fairly harmless. Many basements, attics, and even unused rooms can develop a musty smell. However, air conditioning systems generate significant amounts of moisture inside units. That moisture can travel into air ducts and promote mold growth, which is often recognizable by its musty or foul odor.

Mold can cause respiratory problems, and it can be difficult to get rid of after spores spread to furniture, underneath flooring, or inside walls. A heating and AC repair technician can inspect your HVAC system and clean air ducts to find the source of excess moisture. Mold and mildew in vents or AC units pose a threat to respiratory health. Replacing filters and regular cleaning are important parts of heating and AC repair and maintenance.

Pools of water or visible condensation on walls around HVAC units frequently indicate a leak. The water can cause many problems in your home, so finding and fixing leaks quickly is imperative.

Air Filtration and Humidity

Humidity is a very important aspect of air quality. Air conditioning should lower humidity levels of indoor air, and this is actually a very significant aspect of heating and cooling. People with COPD, emphysema, and other disorders affecting the lungs often have trouble breathing in high humidity.

Humidity can affect some people so severely that a trip to the hospital is required. Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent poor filtration and excessive humidity. Consider having a heating and AC repair specialist inspect your home’s HVAC systems twice a year, and make sure one visit is scheduled before the start of hot, humid summer weather locally.

Bad air filtration is another possible danger because it can lead to poor indoor air quality. Allergens, dust, pollutants, and other airborne irritants should be filtered out by a properly functioning HVAC system. This is especially important for the elderly and people with chronic respiratory illness or compromised immune systems. Allergies and asthma are aggravated by poor filtration.

Call the professional heating and AC repair technicians at K&S Heating and Air in Rowlett, TX, to schedule repairs or routine maintenance to keep your home’s HVAC systems running smoothly.