The scorching summer sun can leave you exhausted. When you settle in to relax inside your home, you expect a comfortable temperature. But what happens when your air conditioner can’t keep up or fails to bring cold air into your house? You may be left with a sticky, sweaty mess until repairs are made. To avoid the wait, learn the warning signs that something is wrong with your AC unit, and then call an HVAC technician right away to schedule repairs.
1. Blowing Warm Air
The last thing you need in the middle of summer is more heat inside of your home. If your vents are blowing out warm air while the air conditioner is running, there’s a problem. A few different things could trigger the air to be warm rather than cold, including a clogged filter or low refrigerant levels.
2. Little or No Air From Vents
Although a little better than warm air, when there’s little or no cold air coming out of your vents, you have a problem. When you feel only a trickle of cold air or even notice that the vent is cold, you probably have a circulation issue. This low flow of cold air may be due to an issue with your compressor or a clog in your ductwork.
3. Loud Noises During Operation
You probably hear a low, relatively quiet hum as your air conditioner runs. However, if you hear loud and unusual sounds, it’s time to call an HVAC technician to make repairs. Any time your AC unit starts making loud noises during operation, this signals a problem.
4. Strange Odors When AC Is On
You shouldn’t notice any smells while your air conditioner is running. When you do notice strange odors, you need to call a professional. If you note a burning smell, this could indicate a burned wire. A musty smell may be a sign that mold or mildew has grown inside of your equipment.
5. Leaks From the Unit
You should never see wet spots around your air conditioning unit. Water around the unit could indicate a clog in the system, leading to an issue with humidity control or condensation. If you notice refrigerant leaking, you’ll lose cold air. Beware that refrigerant is hazardous and should be dealt with immediately.
6. Rising Electric Bills
Has your summer cooling bill taken a drastic jump upwards? If you find that cooling your house has become dramatically more costly, you should call your HVAC technician to take a look at your air conditioning system. Breakdowns can lead to less efficient operation, which turns into higher costs on your utility bill.
If you find that your air conditioning system isn’t operating as it should, you need help from a professional. Remember these warning signs, and then call for repairs right away to keep your home cool in the summer heat. For the best air conditioning repair services in Helena, MT, contact Big Sky Plumbing & Heating.