5 Signs Your Air Conditioner Is Having Issues

The dog days of summer are hot, sticky days. There’s nothing like spending a long day outside in the heat and then coming into a refreshingly cool home. And nothing is more disappointing than walking in and realizing something is up with the air conditioner. Keep an eye out for the five signs your air conditioner is having issues so that you can repair a problem before it gets too big and before your home begins to feel like a sauna rather than an oasis.

Weird Noises

You recognize the usual sounds in your home. So if you walk in and the air conditioner sounds unfriendly, something isn’t right. You may hear a squealing or grinding sound, which is an indicator that you’ll soon wake up to no AC—call your technician right away. Unfortunately, unhealthy new sounds in the air conditioner aren’t things you can easily fix on your own.

Strange Smells

The house doesn’t smell good, so you search all over trying to figure out why—only to learn it’s the air conditioner. There are a couple of reasons why an air conditioner would smell bad. Poor insulation around the unit can lead to condensation, creating too much moisture. That moisture can lead to mold and mildew. Rarely cleaned ductwork is also a possible cause of bad odors. When you don’t clean the ductwork regularly, debris and moisture can build up and can cause foul odors.

Poor Airflow

When there’s a compressor problem or clogged ductwork, you’ll notice that the airflow from the vents is weak. Get it checked out right away. Replacing an entire compressor is expensive, so you’ll want to have it serviced as soon as you feel the airflow slow.

Leaks

Too much condensation is a sign something is wrong. If you notice water droplets around the unit, have your HVAC professional check it out. Also, the unit could be leaking refrigerant, which is harmful for your family and not safe to handle yourself. Moisture and leaks can cause mold, mildew, and other hazards.

It’s Just Not Cool

One of the most obvious signs your air conditioner is having issues is the fact that the house isn’t comfortable. If you’ve messed with the thermostat and had regular maintenance checkups but you’re still not feeling cool air, call your HVAC technician so that they can see what’s going on.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

To avoid running into most air conditioning problems, find an HVAC professional who will clean and maintain your HVAC system on a regular schedule. The most common schedule for these systems is twice a year: once in the fall before you need heat and again in the spring before you need the air conditioning.

Our air conditioners are there for a reason: to keep our homes cool. When yours is having issues, don’t delay in having it serviced. Small problems can quickly escalate into bigger ones.

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