HVAC Repairs

Reliable Air Conditioning & Heating Repair Services in Hot Springs, Benton, Bryant & More in Central, Arkansas

Benning’s Heating & Air, Inc. has been taking care of Central Arkansas residents' heating and cooling needs for over 45 years. We may specialize in the Carrier® brand, but our friendly technicians are highly trained to repair all makes and models of central HVAC equipment.

Breakdowns of your AC unit can be serious, especially when it is hot and humid outside. That’s why Bennings Heating & Air provides 24/7 emergency services. We are there for those times when it feels urgent to have your AC unit fixed. Our factory-trained technicians repair countless air conditioners, and they repair units with the exact same problems you could be experiencing. We are certified, and with nearly 50 years of experience, we’re equipped to repair almost every air conditioning brand and model. We’ll get your equipment running without delays.

How to Know If You Need an AC Repair:

Air conditioners are complicated machines with a variety of components that can go bad. Below is a list of common AC issues we handle for our customers:

Wheezing, whining, or any other strange noises from the condenser
Warm air blowing out of the supply registers
Humid air inside your building even when the unit is running
The compressor never starts even after trying to engage
The air conditioner won’t engage at all
Or, air is blowing out of the vents, but the condenser won’t power up and cool the air

A tip from the pros: Be diligent about maintenance. You should schedule routine maintenance and cleaning for your AC every spring without fail t0 prevent unnecessary breakdowns.

Our Air Conditioning Unit Repair Process | Common Problems

During the summer, you know if your air conditioner is not working properly. However, you'll need a technician to locate the problem. At Bennings Heating & Air, our service technicians use the latest equipment to find the problem and fix it. In most cases, we can repair your AC in just one visit because we carry most common parts on our service trucks. Below are a few of the most common problems we fix for our customers:

Refrigerant Leaks: Refrigerant leaks can degrade the performance of your AC unit, permanently damaging your system. This is one of the most common damages that occur, so our technicians always check this first.

Compressor Failure: When a non-warranty compressor fails, it’s often more cost-effective to replace the unit. If you need a new unit, one of our technicians will provide you with new air conditioning equipment options and recommendations.

Power Interruption: When your air conditioner is not getting power, faulty wiring or a tripped breaker is often to blame. However, only a certified technician can properly troubleshoot electrical problems. Our technicians will restore power to your air conditioner. However, they never restore power until it’s 100-percent safe to operate your unit.

Frozen Evaporator Coil: If there is a problem with the heat exchange in the refrigeration cycle, your evaporator coil will freeze up. This can happen when there is a duct restriction, when your blower is faulty, or when you have low refrigerant.

Heating Repair Services

A reliable heating system is essential in our area. Without a heater, winters in your home would be chilly during the day and uncomfortably cold during the night. Extreme changes in temperature mean your central heating system is put to the test when the temperature starts falling. While heaters are built tough, eventually, the wear and tear will take a toll on your equipment. So, when you need heating repair services, the professionals at Bennings Heating & Air are waiting ready for your call.

How to know if you need a Heater Repair:

Usually, your system will show some signs indicating that it’s about to break down. These signs can be very different depending on whether your heating system is a heat pump or a gas furnace. The following information will explain the main differences between these two types of heating systems and may help you better determine if you have a problem developing.

Strange noises
Tripped breakers
Reduced performance
Odd smells
Heater is not functioning
Rooms in your home are cold

If your heater is showing any of these signs, you need to call an HVAC company right away: 501-254-7502

Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps are very common in our service area. You most likely have a heat pump if your heat source is electric instead of gas. The main difference between heat pump and gas heat operation is that the heat pump outdoor condenser still operates to heat your home up to a certain point during the winter, before it will turn on your electric strips inside. They are very efficient especially in the south where the winters do not have long periods of harsh temperatures. However, be aware that you may expect your electric bill to go up a few months out of the year after consistent very cold and below freezing temperatures when the electric heat strip operation is vital to keeping you comfortable. If you are not used to a heat pump, they can be a little confusing at first. The chart below outlines normal heat pump operation VS. problematic heat pump operation to help you decide if your heat pump is doing its job.

A tip from the pros: When you own a high efficiency gas furnace, it actually makes water during the heating season and excretes it through a drain tube similar to the condensate line on your AC. In freezing temperatures, depending on the installation, these drain lines can freeze and cause the system to shut itself down. We can help you get these thawed out and operational in no time.

Normal Operation	Problematic Operation
Thin layer of frosty ice present on outdoor condenser periodically (less than 0.5 inches of ice present for a short period of time that thaws on its own during the system's defrost cycle)	Thick layer of solid ice present continuously on the outdoor condenser (greater than 1 inch that will not thaw out on it's own and thickens as time goes on)
Whooshing sound from outdoor condenser followed by a puff of steam	No steam or whooshing sound present from the outdoor condenser.
Clicking sound at the thermostat that takes place when you turn the heat pump on for the first time after a long time of inactivity.	Loud grinding or metal on metal noise, especially after snow or ice that may indicate ice has lodged on the fan blades or they may be damaged from ice falling onto them
Short period of cool air blowing from vents when system first comes on followed by warm air	Continual clicking sound from outdoor unit and unit will not run, or continuous cool air blowing from vents with no warmth or heat present.

Gas Furnace

A gas furnace can be very beneficial in colder weather, especially if you have natural gas as the option for fuel source as opposed to propane. Natural gas is a very cost efficient way of heating your home in Central Arkansas. When you have a gas furnace, it will work independently from your outdoor air conditioning condenser in the winter. This means that your outdoor unit should not run at all when you have the heat turned on at your thermostat. Central heating technology has come a long way, so newer furnace models have many safety features that can go into effect to prevent hazardous circumstances that come along with traditional gas heating. However, be aware that if your system is older than 15 years, it is important to have it checked each fall before the heating season to make sure it is safe to operate. We also recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home to avoid the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be very dangerous and even fatal. Your furnace may have a problem if you see any of the signs listed below:

Strange grinding, whistling, or hissing noises coming from the indoor gas furnace.
Tripped breakers
Unconditioned cold air blowing out of the supply registers.
Odd gas or electrical burning smells.
Unresponsive inside blower even after trying to engage the system.

What's Next After Repairing Your Heating & Air?

Once we've repaired your system, it should provide you with years of worry-free cool comfort. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend commencing your annual service and maintenance appointments the year following its installation to keep your system working as efficiently as possible and to prolong its service life.

Visit our Service/Maintenance Page for more information or

Service/Maintenance Schedule an Appt. Today!