When summertime hits, homeowners and their families tend to spend a lot more time indoors, and your home comfort levels are going to be even more important than during other seasons. But staying at home will be a lot more difficult if your air conditioner stops working, right? This is why you want to ensure that you’re keeping your cooling system in the best possible shape it can be in.
Whether you’re using a traditional central air conditioner or you have a heat pump system, maintenance and repairs are services you want to make sure you’re on top of in order to keep your home as comfortable as possible, as affordably as possible. And while maintenance does make a huge difference, it won’t stop every potential ac repair need you’ll have. For example, strange sounds coming from your AC could indicate problems that require immediate attention. This is why it’s important that you be aware of the signs that your air conditioner could be in need. Here are 4 indicators!
1. Your Air Conditioner Is Really Noisy
There’s no such thing as a completely silent air conditioner. Your cooling system is always going to make some noise. However, if it starts making sounds that you’ve never heard from it before, then it’s time to pay attention!
These sounds can include clanging or banging–both indicative of a component that has gotten loose. It could also be hissing due to a refrigerant leak. You might even hear a squealing or screeching that means the lubrication on your motor bearings has worn down and needs replacing before the motor overheats and causes catastrophic problems for your air conditioner.
2. The Airflow From Your Vents is Weak or Warm
This can be caused by a couple of different things. Weak or nonexistent airflow may be due to leaky ductwork. Did you know that breached ductwork could actually contribute to up to 30% of your conditioned air escaping into unoccupied spaces like your attic or crawlspace? If this is the case, proper ventilation becomes essential to maintaining efficiency and comfort.
Low airflow may also be indicative of a clogged-up air filter. Your air filter needs to be changed every 1-3 months to keep your air conditioner protected and to maintain a healthy airflow. Otherwise, your air conditioner will just keep running trying to reach the desired temperature on your thermostat and struggling to do so.
If the airflow isn’t weak but it seems lukewarm, this can mean you have a refrigerant leak, which is one of those problems you need fixed ASAP.
3. Your Energy Bills Have Climbed Too High
Take a look at your energy bills? Are they a lot higher than they were this same time last year despite comparable use? How about in comparison to what your neighbors are paying? If they are a lot higher, it could very well mean that something is causing your air conditioner to work inefficiently.
4. The System Is Short-Cycling
Short-cycling is the term given to when an HVAC system cycles on and off rapidly, never completing a full cooling cycle. This is both the symptom of a problem and can cause further problems with the system such as exacerbated wear and tear, and shortened lifespan. Wondering if it’s time to go ductless? Ductless systems can offer more precise control, helping to avoid issues like short-cycling.
If your air conditioner is cycling on and off more quickly than it used to be, please give us a call.
For reliable air conditioning repair in Houston, TX, contact Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning today!