10 Signs Your A/C Needs Service

Posted: July 8, 2019

Summer is here in the Delaware Valley and we’ve already had a taste of the kind of the hot and muggy weather that’s been predicted for the season. If you have taken care of getting annual maintenance done on your central air conditioning system, you should be able to keep your cool even when we get into the dog days of summer.

But if you never got around to getting your A/C tune-up done – never a good idea, especially if you have an older home cooling system – you may experience various problems.

From feeling, seeing, hearing and even smelling, here are 10 signs that let you know you should schedule a service call with an HVAC professional:

1. The A/C unit is on but blowing warm air – If the air that’s coming out of your vents is warm, it’s usually a sign that your A/C is either low on refrigerant or having a problem with its compressor.
2. The airflow is weak – If not enough air is coming out of your vents, it is often a sign that either the compressor is failing or that you have a duct leak; either way, it means less comfort and higher bills for you.
3. Your air conditioner is “short cycling” – If your air conditioner runs for short lengths of time and then shuts off before completing a full cooling cycle, it’s working harder than it should to keep you cool. The reasons for this vary: there may be problems with the electrical system, the refrigerant may be low, the air filter may be clogged, etc. An inspection by an HVAC professional can provide the answer.
4. Your home is cool but too humid – Air conditioners are designed to not only lower the temperature of your home but dehumidify it too. If your home air usually feels cool but remains too humid, there’s a problem. There are a number of possible reasons for this, but the main cause is usually an oversized air conditioner. In other words, a system that is too big and powerful for your home. It operates fast enough to cool your home, but not long enough to draw out the humid air.
5. Strange sounds – Unusual sounds – including grinding, scraping and squealing – usually indicate that there is a worn or loose part somewhere in your cooling system. Serious air conditioning repairs are on the horizon if you don’t take care of this problem quickly.
6. Unusual smells – An electrical smell often means that wire insulation has burned out somewhere in your A/C system; a musty smell could mean you have moldy ductwork.
7. Water or refrigerant leaks – Liquid around your A/C unit could indicate a serious problem – a refrigerant leak, for example, or a clogged condensate drain that causes water to back up in your home.
8. Higher electric bills – Higher than average bills can result from problems ranging from duct leaks to a faulty thermostat – and everything in between.
9. Frequent repairs – If you’ve been calling for a/c repairs the last few years, it’s probably high time for an A/C upgrade. You’ll eliminate annual repairs right away, reduce your energy bill and not have to worry about anything beyond routine maintenance for years to come.
10. Your A/C system is past retirement age – Today’s air conditioners typically last 12 to 15 years. Towards the end of its life-cycle, your air conditioner will start to drop in efficiency, especially if it has not been properly maintained. By investing in a new, high efficiency HVAC system, you will eventually save enough to offset the cost of your equipment. In the meantime, you’ll get a home cooling system that performs better, runs more reliably, and is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.

Are you seeing any of these signs with your home air conditioner? Contact us today to schedule A/C service. And don’t worry. If your A/C breaks down in the midst of a long, hot summer day and you’re an air conditioning service plan customer, you will receive priority emergency service, along with savings on repairs.