10 Signs Your Air Conditioning Needs Expert Repair

In our current climate crisis, having a fully functioning air conditioning unit is a must to survive the harsh heat. It is not only a matter of comfort, but of health and safety as well. Having bad air conditioning can have negative effects on your well-being, such as dehydration, allergies, heat stroke, and more. 

Maintaining a cool indoor space is essential. In order to avoid problems, you need to be prepared for when your trusty AC unit inevitably goes down. Air conditioning issues can occur at very inconvenient times, so it’s wise to be informed when you might need a fast AC repair service. 

In this article, you’ll learn the top 10 tell-tale signs that your AC unit needs expert repair.

1. Bad Odor

New air conditioning units usually have that fresh, cool scent that is similar to car air fresheners because of their built-in deodorizers. After a few years, that unit can smell like dust, but that’s completely normal and easily fixable. Both of these scents are signs that your AC unit is still okay. But what odors should you be looking out for? 

• Mold or Mildew
  If your air conditioner begins to smell like mold or mildew, it means that there is excessive moisture in the vents. It is often compared to the smell of an old, unwashed sock. In this case, your unit can be suffering from a faulty drain pan or broken evaporator coils. 
• Rotten Egg
  There is nothing worse than the odor of rotten eggs. Not only is the scent nauseating, it can also lead to respiratory health issues. When the smell of rotten egg wafts out of your AC unit, it usually signals that a critter has somehow gotten in and died there. A decaying animal can potentially lead to bigger problems like clogged ducts and vents.
• Burnt Oil
  Lubricating oil is often needed for the AC unit’s compressor. If air coming from the vents smells like burnt oil, this could indicate low oil levels or a possible oil leak. If untreated, both scenarios will lead to compressor problems that could be the end for your unit. 

These smells signal that your AC unit needs to be checked and repaired.

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2. Weird Noises

The only noise you should hear from your air conditioning unit is a fan blowing. It should be a steady sound that eventually turns into white noise when you get used to it. 

Do you hear banging, buzzing, clicking, rattling, or squealing noises? It’s a sign that your system needs to be repaired or replaced. Banging, clicking, and rattling noises often indicate that a component has been dislodged or misplaced. Buzzing and squealing noises are even more alarming as they signal a worn out or broken blower wheel, engine belt, or motor bearings. These problems can become fire hazards if left unfixed. 

Pay attention to the sounds coming from your AC unit, and call in the professionals if the noises do not go away.

3. Unusually High Bills

Energy bills tend to spike during the summer because of high air conditioner use. However, an unusual mark-up in your bills can also indicate that there is something wrong with your AC unit. If it starts to rack up energy charges, then it’s becoming less efficient. 

It might mean that your system has a broken coolant. When an AC unit overheats from the lack of coolants, it burns through more electricity to keep your house cool and comfortable. It could also mean your air ducts are clogged and dirty. If you can’t feel cold air, your instinct is to turn the air conditioning up. This leads to higher bills that could suck up a big portion of your bank account. 

When it comes to high electricity bills caused by AC usage, it’s best to leave it to the experts. Professionals can identify the problem faster than any homeowner, and fix it in a jiffy.

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4. Water Leaks

Water should be inside of the system, not leaking out. Leaks are the most common signs that expert AC repair is needed. 

What might be the problem, you ask? It could be clogged air filters, broken pipes, or leaky refrigerants. When air filters get dirty, they can block the system’s evaporator coils which then freezes over. As the ice eventually melts, it produces excess water that leaks out of the unit and into your walls or carpets. If an AC pipe is old, it could cause water to drip out. A few holes or a broken pipeway then need to be sealed up and fixed. If your unit has leaky refrigerants, you’ll feel it first as warm air blowing from the system. Eventually, water will leak out. In this case, it is imperative to call in the professionals because exposure to refrigerant leaks can be poisonous to your health.

5. Thermostat Issues

A thermostat to an AC unit is what a remote control is to a television system. The thermostat is your tool for control. It can turn the unit on and off, display temperature and humidity, and even sense when the system needs to run and stop. 

Modern thermostats are armed with automatic functions. In most cases, you won’t even have to manually adjust your settings according to the weather outside. But if your thermostat fails to function properly, it could be the effect of faulty wiring, an electrical shortage, or incorrect AC programming. In such cases, it’s time to call in the experts.

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6. Warm Air

The purpose of an air conditioning unit is to cool your house down. During sweltering summer months, an AC has one job and one job only: to keep you and your family comfortable and chill. 

If the AC unit begins wafting out warm or hot air, something is wrong. It could indicate any of the following damages: 

• Clogged air filters
• Low or leaking refrigerants
• Broken condenser fan
• Incorrect thermostat settings
• Malfunctioning compressor

These damages cannot be fixed through DIY solutions. In fact, toying with the unit on your own can make the problems worse. In this scenario, call your local HVAC repair professionals to do the job right.

7. Uneven Temperature

Are some parts of your home cooler than the others? Uneven temperature can be caused by several factors related to AC damage. It could be an issue with the ductworks, in which airflow is blocked by dirt and dust. It might also be a problem with thermostat placement if it is located in an area that does not accurately show the temperature of the entire house. 

In some cases, uneven temperature might be caused by your home’s design and construction. On these terms, it’s best to change your AC unit into a system that is designed to capture your home’s unique layout. You still have to call the experts in to do estimates and guide you on choosing the best replacement.

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8. Tangible Unit Damage

One of the most obvious signs that you need professional help is when you see tangible damage in your AC unit’s outer and inner parts. Seeing damage like rust and stains in the exterior can indicate that there might also be damage inside. Remember that rust requires moisture or water to develop, so a leak might be hiding underneath the surface. Even small cracks and chips on the casing can indicate more severe damage inside the system. 

Once you see visible wear and tear, that’s when the professionals should step in.

9. Short Cycling

Short cycling is when the AC unit turns itself on and off constantly at irregular intervals. 

Due to automatic thermostats, air conditioning is equipped with the ability to run and stop at strategic moments to keep your ideal temperature and save energy costs as well. However, if the unit turns on and off during inconvenient moments, it means that your appliance has worn itself out and might need repair or replacement. 

Regularly scheduled maintenance can help prevent short cycling, or even fix the unit when it comes to that point.

10. Exceeded Lifespan

Modern air conditioning units usually last for only 15-20 years. It’s good to keep this in mind to avoid being shocked by your AC breaking down. If you moved into an old house and inherited the AC unit from the previous homeowners, it’s important to check if its lifespan has exceeded the limit. 

There’s nothing much you can do when your AC has passed its lifespan. You likely have to call in your HVAC experts to replace it with a brand new unit. Of course, you can also scrap the old one for metal and get a few bucks. 

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Conclusion:

When it comes to AC damage, professional technicians should be called in for proper repair. Whether it’s an issue with bad odors, water leaks, or short cycling, a DIY solution just won’t cut it. Be mindful of the signs and contact the right people for the job to keep your home cool and comfortable.