We’ve all been there. It’s a scorcher of a day and instead of that familiar whoosh of cool air, you get…nothing, or worse, warm air, indicating one of many possible AC repair signs.
It’s one of those home maintenance headaches we often push aside. Ignoring these signs can quickly turn into bigger, wallet-draining dilemmas.
Air conditioners, as essential as they’ve become, often get neglected until something goes visibly wrong. Paying attention to their subtle cues, though, might be the key to keeping everything running perfectly and efficiently.
This one seems like a big “duh.” If your air conditioning unit is blasting warm air, something is not right. It could be as simple as a tripped circuit breaker, but it could be something serious, such as a refrigerant leak.
Low refrigerant levels don’t just reduce cooling, they can seriously stress the system. This can lead to even bigger repairs down the line, potentially requiring an AC replacement.
Imagine turning on your AC, only you feel the barest hint of air trickling out. If the airflow from your vents is weaker than usual, there are a few potential culprits, including a failing fan motor.
It could be a problem with a blockage or even a failing compressor. A professional HVAC technician can tell you what’s wrong and if you might need an AC unit replacement.
Your thermostat is the control center, communicating your desired temperature to the AC. If it is malfunctioning, your AC won’t maintain the temperature you want. If the AC turns on for short amounts of time, your thermostat might not work.
Sometimes a simple battery change can fix the situation. Other times, you might need a whole thermostat replacement or have electrical issues that need addressed.
Air conditioners are not silent, you’re always going to hear the whoosh of the air coming out. However, sounds like grinding, squealing, or banging are a red flag.
A screeching might point to a belt problem, while a persistent clicking could be an electrical issue. These unusual sounds warrant a call to your favorite HVAC company to take care of any potential residential AC repair, before it becomes a bigger problem.
It is so very important to address the problem early, and not to wait.
Air conditioners shouldn’t make you wrinkle your nose in disgust. If a funky smell starts permeating the air when your air conditioning unit turns on, be wary.
A strong, burning smell could mean wires are damaged, presenting potential electrical issues. A musty smell frequently suggests the presence of mold somewhere in the AC unit, or maybe the air ducts, which will impact your indoor air quality.
Air conditioners generally also help with managing humidity inside of our homes.
Notice how the air in your house feels a bit thick, even when it’s cool? Your air conditioning unit might be struggling with excess moisture, and could have water leaks. It’s worth calling a technician for AC repair, as this might lead to additional problems, like mildew growth.
A little bit of condensation is natural, but visible water leaks are a big deal. Water pooling near your air conditioning unit can have several potential causes.
Any kind of moisture leaking in or around your unit indicates a problem with the condensate drain or refrigerant lines. You must contact an HVAC expert quickly to avoid costly water damage or a full unit replacement.
Air conditioners operate in cycles. If yours seems to be constantly switching on and off in short bursts, it’s often a symptom of an AC problem.
It could be a sign of a malfunctioning thermostat, or a refrigerant leak. Perhaps you need to find leaks around your home where the cool air could be escaping, in your air duct, for instance.
It is normal to experience a rise in your electric bill in hotter months when your air conditioner is running more often. Although, if you notice you receive a substantial amount more than usual, that is a warning bell of something awry.
Many issues can contribute to increased energy use, like a refrigerant leak or blocked air ducts. Your HVAC unit could be working much harder and a trained HVAC technician should check out your AC unit as well.
There comes a time for every piece of technology, the old, trusted ones included, where replacing the thing comes next. Your AC unit may fall into this category.
Most AC units reach their life expectancy somewhere near 10-15 years. It would likely serve you and your bank account to get ahead of the big replacement, potentially with a more energy efficient heat pump, before disaster strikes and your air conditioners generally stop working entirely.
Knowing your home systems can allow you to live worry-free as seasons change. Having a reference sheet to compare and checkout your systems will help you save money. Below is a guide for air conditioning unit considerations and fixes.
| AC Sign | Possible Root Cause | DIY Fixes | When to Call the Professionals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blowing Warm Air | Blocked air flow, a refrigerant leak, or something like a blown circuit breaker. | Inspect filters and make sure there are no obstructions or check the thermostat settings and then flip the circuit breaker switch to check for electrical issues. | Contact HVAC when the DIY fixes didn’t remedy the issue, but specifically the refrigerant leak because that is something trained professionals will handle. |
| Airflow issues | Clogged air ducts, busted fan motor, issues in the compressor. | Assess visible blockage points for dust. Clean them out. | Anytime internal blockages exist that require an HVAC system to be inspected and potentially worked on internally. A professional HVAC technician can diagnose. |
| Thermostat won’t hold temperature | Sometimes caused by broken or malfunctioning settings. A whole new conditioning unit is possibly required. | Inspect thermostat. Switch out any worn-out batteries. See if temperature can hold after that. | If replacing batteries doesn’t remedy temperature fixes, seek help. You may need to choose and install a whole new unit. |
| AC noises | Sometimes caused by something simple in the AC unit hitting the side or other times bigger internal components may need attention and replacement | Make sure no wires touch fan or surrounding parts internally in your air conditioning unit. | Banging, screeching, metal clanking indicate HVAC repair. Get that checked by trained HVAC repair. |
| Odors that emanate | Burning and potent smells frequently mean wiring may have been fried. Moldy musty smells may indicate moldy pieces needing replacement | Smells indicate a professional HVAC repair tech should handle and remedy problems to make the home safe. | Smells indicate a professional HVAC repair tech should handle and remedy problems to make the home safe. |
| Excessive moisture in home and potential puddles in AC | Condensate drain lines, tubes, hoses have potentially broken, disconnected, or need professional servicing. | Leaks are tricky so please hire trained folks for home system fixes. | Always seek professionals to help with issues like condensation and other parts not working or broken inside the HVAC unit. |
Pay attention to key signs. If the air is blowing warm or airflow is weak, it would behoove homeowners to seek repair services.
Unusual sounds coming from the system might warrant immediate servicing, also.
There are tell-tale indicators, especially with aging HVAC. Consistent issues, and if your unit runs more than usual, might mean your trusty machine might soon quit cooling homes.
Consistent smells, poor circulation and weak or warm air are big symptoms. If it is happening more than ever and your HVAC system seems too new to fail, seek fixes, otherwise prepare for possible unit replacement.
Modern systems have detailed LCD and indicators now that explain clearly what’s going on with the system. Consult your product user guide that explains that detail fully, to be sure your unit is properly functioning.
No one enjoys discomfort, especially if you are expecting a comfortable temperature. If that discomfort is compounded with the realization that our HVAC may need to get replaced, well, then we just can’t, right?
Addressing AC repair signs when they’re small problems is always preferable to handling it when it’s full-blown system failure. Learning more and more about our AC systems at home means less unexpected costly situations arise later, because a technician can diagnose the AC problem early.
Paying attention to your systems early allows you the freedom to shop around and compare repair and replacement cost options. Nobody wants unexpected big-dollar surprises.
Kershaw, SC 29067
Mon - Fri 8am- 6pm
Sat - Sun Closed