Summer is a great time, but it can also get pretty hot! If you’re like most people, you rely on your air conditioner to keep you cool during these harsh summer months.
But what if your AC starts to fail? What are the signs that indicate that you need air conditioning repair? This post will discuss ten signs that your AC is failing and when you should call in heating and cooling repair services. Keep reading for more information!
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1. Your AC unit is making strange noises.
Have you heard sounds similar to grinding, squealing, or hissing coming from your AC unit? These sounds are usually indicative of a problem with the compressor or fan. If left unchecked, this can lead to a complete AC unit failure.
How can you fix strange noises from the AC?
Before calling in a professional, check to see if there are any loose screws or bolts. Sometimes, simply tightening these can stop the noise. However, if the problem persists, you will need to call a professional for AC repair. Check out what can you expect from HVAC repair services to know more!
2. Your energy bills are through the roof.
One of the most common signs that your AC unit is failing is increasing your energy bills. Of course, your energy bills will be higher during hot months when you’re using the AC no-stop. But if you’ve noticed a significant or sudden increase, this could indicate an AC problem.
There are several reasons why your energy bills might be increasing. One possibility is that your AC unit is working harder to cool your home because it’s not as efficient as it used to be. Another possibility is that there is a refrigerant leak.
How can you fix high energy bills?
If you think that your AC unit is the reason for the high energy bills, try to clean the filters and coils. If this doesn’t help, the best course of action is to call a professional for AC repair.
3. Your home isn’t cooling evenly.
Do you notice that some rooms in your house are cooler than others? Or that the temperature fluctuates wildly from one room to another? This uneven cooling is a sign that your AC unit isn’t working properly.
One possible reason for this issue is that the ductwork might be damaged or blocked. Another possibility is that there’s a refrigerant leak.
How can you fix uneven cooling in your home?
If you happen to have habits that can damage your air conditioner, you’ll most likely find yourself dealing with this particular AC problem. The best thing is to call an HVAC professional for AC repair. This is especially important if you don’t know about AC units or ductwork.
4. The AC unit is leaking water.
Leaking AC units is never a good sign! Not only is it wasteful, but it can also cause further damage to your AC unit or your home. If you notice that your AC unit is leaking water, there are a few possible explanations.
The first possibility is that the drain line might be clogged. Another possibility is that the evaporator coils are frozen. Or, it could simply be that the unit is too old and needs to be replaced.
How can you fix an AC unit that’s leaking water?
If your AC unit is leaking water, the first thing you should do is turn it off. Once it’s turned off, try to unclog the drain line. If this doesn’t work, you guessed it – call in the pros.
5. The AC unit isn’t turning on.
If your AC unit won’t turn on, this is a sign that something is definitely wrong. Several things could be causing this problem. One possibility is that the circuit breaker has been tripped. Another possibility is that there’s an issue with the thermostat.
How can you fix an AC unit that won’t turn on?
If your AC unit doesn’t turn on, you should first check the circuit breaker. If it has been tripped, simply reset it and see if that does the trick. If not, there could be an issue with the thermostat – in which case, it’s best to leave it to the experts.
6. The AC unit is blowing warm air.
If your AC unit is blowing out warm air instead of cool air, this is definitely a sign that something is wrong. One possibility is that the compressor isn’t working properly. Another possibility is that there’s a refrigerant leak.
How can you fix an AC unit that’s blowing out warm air?
If you find yourself dealing with this particular AC problem, the best thing to do is call a professional for AC repair. This is especially important if you don’t know about AC units or refrigerants.
If you have no experience dealing with the inner workings of your AC unit, it’s always best to call a professional instead of trying to figure it out and causing even more issues.
7. The AC unit smells strange.
If your AC unit has started to emit a strange smell, this is definitely a cause for concern. Take a sniff, and see if you can identify the source of the smell. If it smells like burning, this could be a sign of an electrical issue. If it smells musty, this could be a sign of mold or mildew.
How can you fix an AC unit that smells strange?
Depending on the cause of the AC smell, there are different ways to fix the problem. If it’s because of an electrical issue, you’ll need to call a professional ASAP for AC repair.
On the other hand, if mold or mildew is causing a musty smell, you can try to clean the coils and filters. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to call it in.
8. Your AC unit is short-cycling.
Short-cycling is when your AC unit turns on and off more frequently than it should. This is a problem because it puts a lot of stress on the unit, leading to further damage.
One possibility is that the thermostat is set too low. Another possibility is that the air filters are dirty and need to be cleaned or replaced.
How can you fix an AC unit that’s short-cycling?
If your AC unit is short-cycling, you should first try to clean the air filters. If this doesn’t help, it’s probably time to have your AC unit checked out.
9. Air blows out of the vents
Inspect the vents in each room of your house. If you notice that air isn’t coming out of one or more of the vents, this is a sign that there’s an issue with your AC unit.
One possibility is that the vents are blocked by furniture or other objects. Another possibility is that there’s a problem with the ductwork. Ductwork problems are usually complex and, therefore, best left to the professionals.
How can you fix an AC unit with vent problems?
If your vents are blocked, the easy fix is to move the furniture or objects blocking them. But if the issue lies within the ductwork, you’ll need to call a professional HVAC technician for help.
10. The thermostat is reading the wrong temperature.
Have you checked the thermostat lately to see what it’s reading? If it’s reading the wrong temperature, for example, it might be set to “cool” when it should be set to “heat,” this could be a sign that there’s an issue with the thermostat.
How can you fix a thermostat that’s reading the wrong temperature?
If your thermostat is reading the wrong temperature, you should try recalibrating it. Recalibrating is a pretty simple process, and depending on the type of thermostat you have, there might even be a button that says “recalibrate.”
However, if recalibration doesn’t seem to be fixing anything, your AC might be having other issues, and you should call a professional.
Final Thoughts
Don’t suffer through a hot summer with a failing AC unit! If you notice any of these signs, call the professionals at HVAC Installation Baton Rouge for AC repair right away. In most cases, the sooner you catch the problem, the easier and less expensive it will be to fix! Thanks for reading!