Tampa Bay HVAC guides

You smell a burning odor, see smoke, or notice scorch marks near the outdoor unit or air handler. Shut the system off at the breaker and call immediately, this isn't a wait-and-see situation.

The system freezes up again shortly after a full thaw and a clean filter. Repeated freezing after ruling out airflow almost always points to a refrigerant leak, which requires a licensed technician and EPA-certified equipment to diagnose and repair.

You hear grinding, squealing, or a loud bang from the compressor or blower motor. These are mechanical failure sounds, not something to run through and see if it clears up on its own.

Your electric bill spikes with no change in habits, or the system runs constantly without ever reaching the setpoint. This often points to a failing compressor, a refrigerant issue, or a system that's undersized or aging out.

You find standing water in the drain pan, water stains on a ceiling below an attic air handler, or the condensate line still won't drain after a vinegar flush and a wet/dry vac pull.

The system trips its breaker repeatedly, or you notice the outdoor disconnect box feels warm or shows any discoloration. That's an electrical issue at the unit, not a job for DIY troubleshooting.

Your system is 12 years or older and you're facing a major repair. At that age, a licensed pro can walk you through whether a repair or a full replacement makes more financial sense over the next several summers.