10 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair or Replacement

Air conditioning problems always seem to occur at the most inconvenient time. Often, it is during an extremely hot day that the faulty or old AC system is pushed beyond its capabilities. Having a properly working air conditioner is important to your family’s comfort and health, and it is easily handled with regular AC maintenance service. You can avoid costly AC repair service by identifying the small issues early on, before they become big problems. In other words, become familiar with the ten signs your AC unit needs repair or replacement.

1. Air Conditioning System is Blowing Warm Air

Nobody purchases an AC unit so it could sit and do nothing but look cool. An air conditioner has a specific job to do, and that is to keep your family comfortable during the hot and muggy summer months. During the most sweltering months of the year, you need an air conditioner to function properly. However, if it fails to blow out refreshingly cold air and blows out warm air instead, contact an HVAC technician for assistance.

2. AC Thermostat is Not Working

Your air conditioners thermostat is the command center of the system. The thermostat communicates with the AC, letting it know the amount of cold air it must generate. Also, it takes measurements to ensure it is doing its job. If your air conditioning unit runs for small periods of time prior to shutting itself off, or if it won’t turn on altogether, this can be an indication that the thermostat is not determining correctly if the system is operating or not. If you are experiencing this issue, you want a trained HVAC specialist to examine this as well due to the complex electrical components involved.

3. Little Air Blows Out of Vents

Similar to the warm air problem is an issue with weak air flow. You may feel cool air when you turn your air conditioner on, but it is coming out very weakly, making it impossible to circulate through the room. In many cases, this is an indication of a failing compressor, but it may also be a sign of a problem with the ducts. Due to the uncertainty of this issue, it is best to contact an HVAC technician for a tune-up. A professional has the necessary knowledge and experience to ensure there are no bigger problems waiting in the future.

4. Loud Noise Inside of the AC Unit

While the AC is on, if you hear grinding, squealing, or scraping, a problem with a belt moving out of place may be occurring inside the unit. Contact an HVAC expert as soon as possible to avoid costly damage to other parts as well.

5. Strange Odors When AC Turned On

An air conditioner is not supposed to smell bad. If this occurs, there is a problem. In this situation, a strong smell may indicate a burned-out wire inside the unit, while a musty smell may indicate there is mold somewhere inside of the unit or the ductwork. It is vital that a professional heating and cooling technician diagnose this problem ASAP because this can cause you and your family to get sick.

6. Not Enough Humidity Removed By the AC

One of the jobs of an air conditioner is reducing the amount of humidity inside your house. Even in low humidity climate, the air maintains a small amount of moisture. If you begin to notice some humidity inside of your house while the air conditioner is running, your air conditioning unit may need repair.

7. Problems with the AC Are Occurring More Often

If your unit has needed AC repair service at least three or four times over a few months’ time, it is possibly time to purchase a new one and forget about more repairs.

8. Freon or Water Leaks Around Air Conditioning Unit

Any moisture leaking in or around your AC system is a problem. This can be an indication of a refrigerant leak. Due to Freon being poisonous, contact a professional immediately. However, in less serious cases, this moisture may be water from a broken or blocked tube that disposes of condensation. This issue may exhibit itself in more than one way. In some cases, you will notice water leaking out of the HVAC system; while other times, ice may develop inside your AC unit on the copper refrigerant lines located outside the condenser. Either way, this is a warning sign that you should contact an HVAC specialist.

9. Rising or High Electric Bill

Another indication that your AC system is in need of replacement or repair is an energy bill that quickly rises up without extra usage. The cause of this problem may be one of many including a broken thermostat switch, leaks in your HVAC system’s ductwork, or the elevated age of the air conditioning unit. Regardless of the cause, your unit will need repair.

10. AC Lifespan Is Over

If your air conditioning unit is at least ten years old, you should be thankful it lasted this long and begin shopping around for a new unit. Air conditioners generally do not last more than a decade. These signs are useful reminders of how to quickly recognize a problem, and in many cases, help avoid an HVAC unit replacement altogether. Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature during the summer months takes many properly functioning mechanics. If you experience any of these 10 signs, contact a professional HVAC technician. Trying to handle the repairs yourself can lead to unnecessary costs if anything goes wrong. Schedule an appointment with Budget Heating & Air Conditioning for budget friendly AC maintenance and repair services in Cleveland.