For facility managers and business owners in Dallas Fort Worth, a reliable commercial HVAC system is non-negotiable. When your system starts to fail, it can impact more than comfort. It can hurt productivity, spoil inventory, or even put compliance at risk.

In this 2025 guide, our experts at TrueServ Mechanical break down the 7 most common signs you need commercial HVAC services in Dallas, Fort Worth, or the Mid Cities. Recognizing these red flags early can save you from costly downtime, skyrocketing utility bills, or a complete system failure.

If supply vents are blowing warm air or airflow feels weak, it’s a sign your system isn’t meeting load demand. Common commercial causes include:

• • Low refrigerant charge from leaks in coils, line sets, or flare fittings
  • Failed blower motors or VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) reducing fan capacity
  • Leaking or collapsed ductwork that creates negative pressure and bypass air

Weak airflow makes it impossible to cool your space evenly and is one of the clearest signals you need professional commercial AC repair near me in Dallas or Fort Worth.

⚠️ Replacement red flag: If the compressor is worn out or the coil is badly corroded, restoring capacity may cost more than upgrading to a new system.

Schedule emergency AC service before small issues become major breakdowns.

(972) 693-2604

2. Unusual Noises

Commercial rooftop units (RTUs), split systems, and rack systems should operate with minimal noise. Loud or unusual sounds often indicate:

• Grinding or squealing – seizing blower bearings or worn belts
• Banging or clanging – loose fan blades, refrigerant piping vibration, or failed mounts
• Buzzing or humming – electrical contactor chatter or failing motors

Ignoring these noises can lead to catastrophic damage.

⚠️ Replacement red flag: If noise traces back to a failing compressor or repeated motor failures, replacement is often more cost-effective than continual repair.

3. Ice on Evaporator Coils

Frozen coils are a clear sign of refrigeration circuit problems. Typical commercial causes include:

• Restricted airflow due to dirty filters, blocked returns, or failed supply fans
• Low refrigerant levels reducing evaporator pressure below freezing point
• Stuck TXVs/EEVs improperly metering refrigerant flow

If your system is freezing up, a commercial HVAC repair technician can diagnose the root cause and prevent recurring issues.

⚠️ Replacement red flag: If coil surfaces are severely corroded or refrigerant leaks recur, replacing the coil (or full system if obsolete refrigerant is used) is the smarter investment.

4. Unpleasant Odors

Strong odors coming from air handlers or ductwork usually mean:

• Mold or bacterial growth inside drain pans, coils, or ductwork
• Electrical overheating from burned motors or shorted windings
• Stagnant condensate water from clogged drain lines

Left untreated, odors can affect indoor air quality and even create health risks for staff and customers.

⚠️ Replacement red flag: If odors stem from aging coils, deteriorated duct liners, or recurring biological contamination, upgrading to new equipment with modern IAQ safeguards is often the only permanent solution.

5. Rising Energy Bills

If utility costs climb despite stable occupancy and weather conditions, your AC system may be losing efficiency. Common causes:

• Dirty condenser coils restricting heat rejection
• Failing compressors or motors driving up amperage draw
• Refrigerant leaks lowering capacity and extending run times
  

   

Regular maintenance helps keep costs predictable. But if your bills are climbing month after month, it’s time to call for commercial AC repair near me and restore efficiency.

⚠️ Replacement red flag: Older systems with low SEER/EER ratings or using phased-out refrigerants (R-22, R-410A) will not regain efficiency through repair alone.

6. Short Cycling

When a system turns on and off every few minutes, it is short cycling. This wastes energy, reduces comfort, and accelerates wear on compressors and controls. Common causes include:

• Oversized or undersized equipment that never stabilizes
• Low refrigerant charge or metering issues that trip safeties
• Electrical or control faults such as failed sensors, contactors, or boards

Short cycling puts extreme stress on your system and often leads to premature failure. A technician will verify sizing, inspect the refrigeration circuit, and test safeties and controls to stop the rapid cycling and protect the equipment

⚠️ Replacement red flag: If short cycling is driven by incorrect system sizing or recurring compressor failures on an older unit, replacement is usually the most cost-effective path.

7. Uneven Cooling Across Your Building

If one part of your facility feels like a sauna while another feels like a freezer, your system isn’t distributing air properly. Potential causes include:

• Duct leakage or disconnects wasting conditioned air
• Stuck or failed VAV (Variable Air Volume) dampers disrupting balance
• Faulty sensors or thermostats giving inaccurate load feedback

Uneven cooling isn’t just uncomfortable, it creates hot spots that can damage sensitive equipment or inventory.

⚠️ Replacement red flag: If uneven cooling is tied to outdated system design or chronic duct leakage in old infrastructure, re-engineering and replacement may be required.