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The Cool Before the Storm: Preparing Your AC for Hurricane Season

By Aztil –

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Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system plays a crucial role in maintaining comfort and indoor air quality within your home or commercial space. However, like any mechanical system, HVAC systems are prone to wear and tear over time, necessitating timely repairs to prevent costly breakdowns and ensure optimal performance. But do you know the top signs to look for that signal HVAC issues? Ignoring these signals could lead to more extensive damage and compromise your comfort and safety.

Take a few minutes to learn what to look, listen, or smell for, so you can take prompt action before any significant damage is done.

Weak Airflow

When the system is working properly, airflow from the vents should be strong and steady. It should also be consistent throughout the house or commercial space. If you notice a decrease in the airflow, an inconsistent flow, or that some vents have a stronger airflow than others, this may indicate a variety of issues. Blocked or clogged air filters, malfunctioning blower motors, or ductwork obstructions can all impede the HVAC system’s airflow, which reduces system efficiency and comfort levels. By addressing these airflow issues promptly, you can prevent strain on the system and improve indoor air circulation.

Strange Odors

When you turn on the heating part of the HVAC system after months of no use, you may notice a slight odor at first. This can be normal because the system hasn’t been used in so long. But if you are using your system on a regular basis and begin to notice unpleasant odors emanating from the vents, this is a clear indication of potential HVAC issues. Musty or moldy smells may indicate mold growing within the system itself or in the ductwork, either of which poses health risks and compromises indoor air quality. An odor like something burning could indicate overheating components or electrical issues, both of which require immediate attention to prevent safety hazards such as fires.

If strange odors are coming from your vents, for health and safety purposes, you should turn the unit off and have a technician thoroughly inspect your system and make any necessary repairs before using it again.

Unusual Noises

You will likely always notice some level of noise when the HVAC system is on. This is normal. Unusual or persistent noises such as grinding, squealing, or banging should not be ignored. These could indicate worn-out or malfunctioning components such as bearings, belts, or motors. Sudden noises should also be checked out, even if quiet or infrequent. Ignoring these noises may lead to further damage and more costly repairs down the line.

Fluctuating Temperatures

Is one room ice cold while another feels like a sauna? Inconsistent temperatures throughout the home or commercial space often point to underlying HVAC issues. A malfunctioning thermostat, faulty sensors, or refrigerant leaks can disrupt the cooling or heating process and result in uneven temperature distribution. Ductwork may leak, or the ductwork or HVAC system may not be the right size for the space in which you are controlling the temperature. A professional diagnosis and repair are essential to restore consistent comfort levels and optimize energy efficiency.

Increased Energy Bills

Most of the time, energy bills are the same from month to month each season, with only a few dollars difference. When there is an increase, most people can trace it to an increase in usage or notice from the energy provider that there would be a rate increase. If you discover a sudden spike in energy bills without a corresponding usage increase or rate increase, this may be a red flag that your HVAC system is operating inefficiently. Common culprits may include dirty air filters, refrigerant leaks, or malfunctioning components that cause the system to work harder to maintain the desired temperatures. Addressing these issues promptly can help reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs.

Frequent Cycling

You may not need an energy bill to tell you the system is working overtime. If you suddenly notice that your system is constantly running, this may indicate one of the culprits mentioned above or others. Excessive cycling, where the HVAC system frequently turns on and off, can indicate various issues, such as thermostat problems, inadequate airflow, or refrigerant leaks. This constant cycling strains the system and compromises comfort and energy efficiency. Professional diagnosis and repair are necessary to identify and address the underlying cause.

Unit Blows Hot Air

If the system blows hot air when it is set to cool or cold air when it is set to heat, this is a sign that something isn’t right with the system. It could be a lack of refrigerant, a thermostat problem, or another issue. A professional diagnosis and repair are critical to getting the system working properly again so you can live in cool comfort.

Thermostat Isn’t Working

Whether the thermostat won’t turn on, won’t adjust the temperature, or doesn’t seem to be communicating with the system at all, a nonworking thermostat means that your HVAC system won’t work properly, if it works at all. The HVAC system requires input from a properly working thermostat to control the temperature inside the house or commercial space accurately.

Before calling for repairs, check the thermostat to see if it requires batteries. If it does and after changing the batteries, you still can’t get it to work right, you’ll need to have a technician diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.

Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks are always a problem, but they can be a serious issue if the HVAC system is older and uses freon, as freon is poisonous. A refrigerant leak will result in moisture around the unit. However, moisture around the unit can also be from a blocked or clogged condensate drain, so it is important to contact a professional to confirm and repair the cause of the moisture.

High Humidity

While most people understand an HVAC system’s primary purpose is to cool the air in a house or commercial space, it also serves another purpose: to dehumidify. This is important as indoor humidity can lead to constantly damp surfaces, which can cause mold and mildew. If you notice the humidity rising indoors, your HVAC system may need repairs.

Systems Older Than a Decade or Frequent Issues

While it would be nice to install an HVAC system that would have a life as long as the home is cooling, the fact is these systems have a much shorter life span than our houses. Typically, you’ll realize that an HVAC system is at the end of its lifespan because it will begin to have frequent issues. Frequent issues may also be an indication of a defective system. If your system has frequent issues, it may be best to discuss replacing it with an experienced and knowledgeable technician. While installing a new HVAC system can be expensive, it is usually less costly than constantly repairing issues cropping up with an existing unit.

Take Action and Avoid Potential HVAC Issues

Recognizing and addressing these warning signs promptly can prevent minor HVAC issues from escalating into major problems. Regular maintenance and professional inspections are essential for ensuring the longevity and performance of your HVAC system.

Don’t ignore these warning signals—consulting with a qualified HVAC technician can help diagnose issues early and restore comfort and efficiency to your indoor environment. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment with one of our family of independent contractors.

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What Our Clients Think Of Us


Michael K. came out and did a wonderful job. There was condensation on my air filter and I was concerned about a leak. He was very thorough and made sure all avenues were checked. He also answered my questions and showed me parts on my AC. Great service!
Niko was great.
Niko was very patient and professional. Looking forward to cleaning this system.
He was great!
Niko came out promptly on a Saturday and fixed my problem easily. Great customer service
Response from the owner:Bernice Demanche, I'm glad to hear that Dana provided prompt service and fixed the issue easily. Excellent customer service can really make a difference in situations like these.
Niko was great- very informative
Niko very nice and did a good job explaining.
Niko, great service! Thank you!
Niko was personable and knowledgeable
Antonio was great and he was personable and I really do like him the next time that I have a visit from you guys it will be from him and I almost decided not to use you guys no more because of the other two gentlemen that came they were young boys, and they did not do things properly, but Antonio was very very good and I really liked himHe was very professional so thank you very much for letting Antonio come and giving yourself a second chance have a blessed day.
Nicholas (I think that’s his name) was very thorough and knowledgeable. I’m going to take his recommendation for a UV light. Please send him back to install when I order it. He furthers my trust in Aztil.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your review, Al Levy. We're so glad you had a positive experience with our appliance repair services!
Very happy with the service provided by Niko
Technician Lazaro Powery arrived much sooner than I expected. He looked professional, and his behavior matched his appearance. I really enjoyed our brief personal chat. I always ask people I deal with if their company treats its employees well, as it matters to me. I was happy to hear that he enjoys his employment with Aztil.

His professionalism and attitude well matched his positive comments. I'm not surprised as I find Aztil to be excellent people to deal with in all requests and transactions. Lazaro sets a good example for Aztil. Thanks for sending him. When he asked, I signed another one-year service contract
I had 3 terrific technicians Paul Gross who found the problem fixed it but also found a leak so I had 2 technicians Jordan and Hero come and do the duct work I was so impressed by all 3 of them their knowledge professional and the enjoyment in doing the work for their clients I give all 3 of 10 gold stars😀
AZTIL is a real COOL company and Jackie my rep @Aztil responds ASAP when I get HOT on the phone. Seriously Jackie’s the nicest person. I don’t want to leave anyone out but Juan the technician goes above and beyond trying to solve my HVAC problems.
Alex was very thorough and knowledgeable.
Tino was professional and friendly. Thank you for a great service over the years.
I have used aztill air conditioning service for over 15 years. They have always been prompt and have always done a great job. I recently would like to praise Dana who came to my home today and his boss Jack for the great price. My wife and I feel blessed to have found them. They have been reasonable in their prices and the technician are right on point. Thank you Aztill Air. 😁😃
This was my first experience with Aztil as a new homeowner. I purchased a service agreement which I thought was reasonably priced. My first scheduled maintenance was this past week by Michael King .He was extremely professional, knowledgeable and very kind in explaining everything I needed to know. He made a great suggestion in which I followed through with. He’s an asset to this very professional company. Thank you Aztil and Jonathan for a job well done!
Mike came by for an A/C maintenance check up. He came on time and was very friendly and professional.
Response from the owner:Hi Larry, thank you for taking the time to leave us such a positive review about Fabio. We are delighted to hear that he was on time and provided excellent service. We appreciate your feedback and are glad that you had a good experience. Thanks again!
Excellent service very knowledgeable Niko send him hereafter
Tino was exceptional in sevicing both of my AC its. I renewed my contract with Aztil and I look forward in having Tino service me again Thanks for great service
I had to have my air conditioning HVAC system replaced. I bought RHEEMS from them nine years ago or just shy of nine years ago and I had to have the whole thing replaced. It had a leak. The pressure was down 3 pounds and to pay $475 only because I had a contract with them otherwise it would’ve been 675 to check for the leak.. I decided to replace it cause I knew it was around the corner anyhow. They installed it the next day I couldn’t have been more pleased. It was effortless. It took them a while because we had some rain on and off and they couldn’t be on the roof, but they came at 9:30 and they left at 3 o’clock. I thought they did very well. They left my house clean as a button just exactly the way they found it. They were very polite and did everything that they were supposed to do in a very neat and tidy and timely manner.
Jorge and David were the installers today. They were timely, professional, mannerly, exceptionally clean and efficient. And Sabrina in their office went beyond in responding as the cost of new units today is sticker shock!
Nico is absolutely amazing! Very informative and an excellent technician! This is the second time we’ve had him and he’s great
Response from the owner:Hi Kathy, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're glad to hear that you had an excellent experience with our service. We pride ourselves on our knowledgeable staff, and it's great to know that Ramon was able to provide you with such great service. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon!
After 40 hours without A/C in August we were saved by Rafael. He was polite, professional and courteous. He is an asset to the company. On another note, the scheduling system used for after hours is quite poor and needs to be looked into. Thank goodness Jackie called us and attempted to remedy the situation.
Naraldo Bunsie did an excellent job installing my new Trane A/C! Thanks !
Michael was very knowledgeable and efficient in providing service for us today. We’d love for him to come again
Your service techs and general service has improved since the corporate take over. Raphael Curci was efficient and kept us u[p to date on the progress of the installation. The person I'd like to call out as exemplary was Nico who guided us through the process and went out of his way to help us through this time. Ultimately the air handler was faulty and it took several visits to repair it. Meanwhile the handler leaked water all over the garage ceiling ruining it and causing damage to my model trains beneath. In addition the last tech broke my cable power supply which he had no business touching. I had to call Xfinity to come as an emergency for which they charged me $150.00. I will also be sending Aztil a bill for the repair of my ceiling and any damage done to my model trains.
Dana just finished a service call. He was very professional and explained to me what he was doing and gave me tips for the future. I have been an Aztil customer for many years and people like Dana keep me coming back.
Response from the owner:Hi Don, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Angel did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Michael was efficient and thorough. I am very pleased with this service.
Response from the owner:Thank you
Juan was fantastic!
Michael was great, he called in advance arrived on time, very professional and knowledgeable, and got the job done in a timely manner, highly recommend.
Michael provided excellent service on unclogging our drain line and explaining what options we have to prevent it getting clogged in the future.
Naraldo was was a competent and efficient skilled worker..
Doesn't talk much but gets the job done quickly.

Replaced and rewired our new water heater in a very short time.

Left everything clean and Sparkling..

Would have him return anytime for the next project that might pop-up.
Response from the owner:Hi Erlene, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Rafael did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Dana Dussault, the technician that came to fix my AC and installed a new compressor was so efficient and courteous and is an asset to Aztil. I was very happy with the work.
Nico and Adrian were great. Cleaned my ac and found an oil leak. Very personable.
Response from the owner:Hi Ilene, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko and Adrian did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Rico was friendly and very competent & efficient
Response from the owner:Hi Shanti, thank you for your kind words about Ricardo and Aztil. We are so glad to hear that you had a great experience with us. We will make sure to pass along your positive feedback to Ricardo. Thank you for choosing Aztil!
Dana came on a Saturday in the pouring rain. Totally professional and knew what was wrong right away. Great job guys!
Dana was efficient and effective and answered all my questions. Top notch
I had a new central AC installed by Aztil today. Both of the techs, Jorge and David, were professional and friendly. I used Aztil because I have used them for service for over 10 years and have been very satisfied. I can recommend them for service and installations.
Tino was great. Answered all our questions and took his time to explain everything
They came quickly and Lazaro was very professional.

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