The most important household repairs are the ones that most people tend to put off as long as possible, such as the roof and AC unit. With your air conditioning unit, nine times out of ten it’ll send a homeowner plenty of warning signals that it needs to be repaired before it completely gives up the ghost.
If you take care of any air conditioner problems early on by calling in an HVAC service to inspect and repair the unit, then it’ll save you a ton of money in the long run. If homeowners choose to ignore the problem, it won’t be long before they’re having to replace the unit instead of repair it or deal with the mold that made its home in your bathroom due to excess moisture, and that home repair is going to cost you quite a bit of dough. Thankfully, by investing in regular maintenance you can avoid switching our the HVAC system too often and the mold and allergies that result from moisture in your indoor air quality. In this article, you can find a few of the top signs that your air conditioner is broken and needs to be fixed.
1. Your humidity levels are higher than normal.
If your home feels muggy even when the air conditioner is running then it’s probably time for a technician to come inspect the AC unit. A well-functioning air conditioner should serve as a dehumidifier, pulling the humidity out of your house leaving cool air behind. High humidity is a bad sign. If the humidity levels are higher than normal, the air in the house feels sticky, and there’s moisture clinging to your windows, your AC unit isn’t working the way it should and needs to be repaired.
2. Your HVAC unit is blowing hot air.
If you put a hand over the vent that your cool air usually comes out of and the air is hot, you could have a broken compressor on your hands. Another cause of hot air blowing from your AC unit is that it has a refrigerant leak that needs to be inspected and repaired by a technician. Neither of these repairs is going to be as expensive as you think they will be, if you go ahead and nip the issue in the bud now, instead of waiting until they completely destroy your AC unit.
3. Your air conditioner is making unusual sounds.
If your HVAC unit is making noises you’ve never heard come from it before, then it’s a good idea to call in the professionals. While you might hear a slight whirring or humming sound from your unit, you should never hear grinding, grating, squealing, or other noises that you can’t identify. The sooner you have someone come out to repair your AC unit, the better off you’ll be. If not, then you could be replacing your air conditioner sooner than you think, and that’ll cost a whole lot more than the repair cost.
4. Your unit smells funny.
If your AC unit is working the way it should, the smells coming out of it should be all cool air and natural cleanliness. If you smell something that is strong and pungent, you could have burnt wiring inside of your unit. It’s a good rule of thumb to get this inspected and fixed right away, as it could end with an appliance fire that might put you, your property, and your family members at risk. This is a warning sign that you don’t want to ignore, so call your repair service today.
5. Your energy bill is soaring high.
One of the biggest signs that your AC unit might be about to take the plunge is a sudden increase in your electric bills. If your air conditioner is fighting too hard to keep up with the heat outside, you need to make an appointment with your technician. They can tell you if the unit can be repaired or if it’s better to replace it entirely. This way you can save on utility bills and keep your family members happy and cool.
These are just a few of the signs that your HVAC system might be broken. With any of these signs, it’s best to call in a professional technician right away to fix the issue, before it gets worse.