Summer is just around the corner as the sun reappears and temperatures begin to rise. Make sure your air conditioner is up to the task of keeping you cool. But how do you know if it needs any tender loving care? If you notice any of the following warning signs, your air conditioner is most likely in need of repair.

Warm Air

Check the thermostat if warm air is coming out of your home’s vents. Make sure it’s on cooling mode and set it to a lower temperature than your home’s current temperature. Restricted airflow or a compressor problem may be to blame if your vents continue to blow warm air.

Insufficient Airflow

Poor airflow is a warning that your air conditioner isn’t functioning properly or that there’s a blockage stopping air from moving through your ductwork. Anything as simple as a clogged air filter, a faulty engine, or anything more significant may be to blame. If your home suffers from a lack of ventilation, we can suggest investing in an energy-recovery ventilator. It will help the air conditioner run more efficiently by replacing stale air with fresh air every time the system cycles. Zoning systems can also be beneficial to your air conditioner. They will make sure you have the right amount of ventilation and cooling power where you need it the most.

Frequent Cycles

Regardless of the weather, the air conditioner can go through reasonably regular cooling cycles. On the hottest summer days, you might expect your cooling system to turn on more often, but it shouldn’t cycle on and off constantly. Contact our cooling experts if you notice repeated cycles. Frequent cycling can be resolved with a quick air conditioner tune-up. However, it may also indicate that you need a new air conditioner.

High Humidity

You should expect humid conditions outside during the spring and summer. However, this does not imply that you want to be exposed to high humidity indoors. Your air conditioner can automatically regulate humidity levels. You’ll need an air conditioner repair if your cooling system can’t hold moisture levels within a reasonable range. We’ll easily diagnose the problem and tell you if your air conditioner only needs to be re-calibrated or whether you should invest in a whole-house dehumidifier instead.

Water Leaks

Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to keep your home cool, and it may create condensation while doing so. However, none of these liquids can build up or leak into your house. A pool of water or an active leak near your air conditioner is a warning that your cooling system isn’t working properly. Don’t hesitate to contact our air conditioning repair specialists. Leaks can easily wreak havoc on your home and even cause severe structural problems.

Bad Odors

If you detect foul odors and believe they are coming from your HVAC machine, you should address the problem before it gets worse. Fortunately, a quick diagnostic visit will reveal whether your air conditioner needs a tune-up and thorough cleaning, or whether it requires a more sophisticated solution.

Ultraviolet (UV) lamps will help you get rid of microbial growth that has taken over your air conditioner. Duct cleaning can also help to eliminate odors that have built up in the ductwork.

Unusual Noises

When an air conditioner starts up and shuts down, it makes a low-level noise. However, noisy, unexpected, or unusual noises may indicate serious cooling system issues.

Noises like rattling or buzzing can indicate a loose component, while whistling or grinding can indicate something more sinister. This kind of problem seldom goes away on its own, so a professional tune-up is needed. Our team will identify the cause of the issue and suggest a solution that will keep your family cool and happy throughout the season.

Malfunctioning thermostat

The thermostat is the HVAC system’s “brain,” directing which components to operate and for how long. It continually assesses and reassesses those instructions. Your thermostat might be to blame if your air conditioner won’t turn on or just works for a short time before shutting off. One of the telltale signs that your air conditioner needs to be repaired is a malfunctioning thermostat. To ensure that your device runs correctly again, your thermostat will need to be replaced.

Frequent repairs

It might be time to consider a replacement if you’ve had to fix several components of your device or unit in the last few months. It’s pointless to keep paying for repairs if they’re just extending the unit’s life for a few months at a time. Your technician should be able to provide you with information about the overall condition of your device. Although we realize that replacing a system is not always in the budget, if the old machine or system is limping along and needing frequent maintenance, it is likely more cost-effective to replace it.

Spikes in utility costs

If your electric bill unexpectedly increases without warning, your HVAC system’s performance might be deteriorating. Utility bills are expected to increase in the summer as temperatures rise. However, if you find a spike that doesn’t seem to correspond to the increased usage of your air conditioner, it wouldn’t hurt to have your HVAC technician look into it. It’s possible that there’s a problem with your ductwork or thermostat, or that your machine is nearing the end of its useful life.

Age of your system

The age of your current air conditioner is the last indication that it needs to be repaired. In 2018, a decent life expectancy for an air conditioning unit is ten years. If your unit is reaching or has passed the ten-year mark, you may want to consider replacing it. The cost of replacement might be substantial, but a new unit would also operate more effectively. More proper functioning would save money on utility bills. HVAC systems are complicated and necessitate a large number of well-functioning components. This implies that a large number of components will need repair. However, if you keep an eye out for signs and track the operation of your HVAC system, you might be able to catch early warning signs before they become major issues.