You should have a professional inspect and service your air conditioning unit at least once a year.
The best time to do it is in the cold months. Why? Because if you put it off and something goes wrong, you could end up with a breakdown in the middle of summer. That means you’ll have to live with a hot and uncomfortable house while you wait to get it fixed.
That’s why maintenance is so important.
Take a look at these 10 signs that means it’s time to call an air conditioning repair company.
1. The Air Isn’t Cold
The air coming out of your air conditioning unit should never be warm. If the air isn’t cold, that’s a good sign something isn’t working quite right inside the system.
Your AC unit might be blowing warm air for a number of reasons, including a broken compressor or low Freon levels. Whatever the reason, this isn’t a hard fix. A professional can find the problem and sometimes fix it in the same day.
2. You Can Smell Unusual Scents
If you can smell an odd scent coming from your air conditioning unit when you turn it on, you have one of two problems.
A strong, foul smell tends to mean the wire insulation inside your AC system has burned out. A musty smell could mean you have mold growing inside your vents or ductwork.
You should have a professional check both these scents right away. Living with mold can be dangerous for your health, so you don’t want it blowing through your entire house.
3. High (or Raising) Energy Bills
Your air conditioner requires a certain amount of energy to run. When something goes wrong inside your unit, it has to work hard to keep the house cool. This means it sucks up more energy, which can lead to your energy bill going up.
If you’ve noticed a rise in your energy bill but can’t find a direct cause, there’s a good chance it’s related to your AC system.
Reaching out to an air conditioning repair company can save you a lot of money in situations like these. Instead of paying expensive bills, you can find and repair the problem before the bill gets out of hand.
4. The Air Flow Is Weak
Weak airflow could mean you have something wrong with your unit compressor. It could also mean there’s a blockage stuck somewhere in your vents, or your duct work itself could be damaged.
Don’t ignore these problems. Depending on what’s wrong, it could continue to get worse over time. This could result in some expensive repairs in the future.
5. It Doesn’t Cool All the Rooms
While your air condition blows cold air into some of the rooms in your home, the other half stay warm and uncomfortable. Restricted air flow means there’s something going on inside your ductwork.
As your AC system runs, debris can get carried through the ducts and buildup inside the vents. This isn’t just annoying, it can also be a health hazard.
Cleaning out your air conditioner ducts can fix the problem and ensure your house stays a healthy and safe environment for you and your family.
6. The AC Unit Breaks Down a Lot
A breakdown is a clear sign your AC unit needs attention. If your unit isn’t too old, a professional may be able to repair it without too much trouble. Consistent breakdowns might mean you should look into replacement options.
7. There Are Strange Sounds Coming from Inside
While every air conditioning system makes noise, you shouldn’t be able to notice the sounds coming from your unit. If your unit starts to make loud, growling sounds, something has gone wrong.
Shrill, squealing sounds are signs your unit’s belt is out of place or one of the metal components need some lubrication.
Grinding noises mean the bearings of your motor are wearing down or already broken.
Grinding or grating sounds mean something is damaged inside your system. If you put off repairing these problems, your entire unit could stop working. When this happens, you might have to invest in a replacement unit.
8. Water or Refrigerant Leaks
No air conditioning unit leak is a good thing, but refrigerant leaks are much more dangerous than water. Leaking refrigerant puts you and your family at risk for serious health concerns. You need to call in a professional to repairs these leaks right away.
Water leaks aren’t as serious, but they can still be at the root of some expensive problems. When moisture gathers in places it shouldn’t be, it can also promote mold growth.
You should always address leaks as soon as possible to avoid causing more damage to your system.
9. Your Thermostat Isn’t Working
If your unit’s temperature doesn’t adjust when you control the temperature, the issue may be due to a faulty thermostat.
A broken thermostat may not be able to regulate the temperature inside your home. This could cause parts of your house to be colder or warmer than other sections.
Other signs of a broken thermostat is a unit that shuts down after a short period of time. In some cases, broken thermostats can’t turn the unit on at all.
10. Your AC Unit Is Old
Air conditioning units have a life expectancy of about 10 years. If your unit is over 10 years old, the problems you’re experiencing could be a result of your system’s age.
An old AC unit may need constant repairs to keep running, and it may raise the cost of your energy bill. Instead of trying to hold onto an old system, you’ll save more money, in the long run, replacing it with a new unit.
Hiring an Air Conditioning Repair Company
You should hire an air conditioning repair company as soon as you nothing anything odd about your AC unit. This includes things like weird smells, loud sounds, poor air flow, leaks, and other irregularities.
Don’t try to fix the problem on your own. Air conditioner repairs can be complicated, and you might end up doing more harm than good. If you want to fix your problems fast and save some money, call a professional right away.
Are you looking for an air conditioning repair company near you? Take a look at some of these options.