Having an air conditioner can be a major blessing during the heat waves that are becoming more common all over the world. While it would be nice if your air conditioning was always working its best, this isn’t always the case.
Every now and then, you will need an expert from a company like Ahler’s Heating and Air to come out and service, fix or replace your unit.
But in order to fix or replace your A/C, you need to be aware of when it is not working as it should. While almost 90% of American homes have air conditioning, much fewer of them are actually paying attention to how it’s working and even less know how to tell when it needs repair.
In an effort to help you identify when something is wrong, here are three signs that you may need to fix or replace your air conditioner.
The Flow of Air Seems Slow
The goal of any air conditioner is to fill your home with cool air. The faster the A/C unit can get that air into your home, the better. If the flow of air out of the vents seems slow, or the home takes longer to cool off, it may be a sign that you need to get your unit repaired or replaced.
However, if your flow is weak, it doesn’t always mean your air conditioner is on its last legs. There are other reasons your air conditioner will have a weak flow that you can look into. This includes filter issues, a blocked return vent and plenty of others. If you are unsure, simply have a professional come out and check for you.
Identifying a weak flow of air isn’t always easy, so try to make a note of how long it usually takes your home to cool off, and how fast the air generally comes out of the vents.
You Are Hearing Unusual Sounds
Almost every air conditioner will make a bit of noise. If the noise you hear is normal, there is generally nothing to worry about. But if you begin to hear noises you don’t normally hear, or ones that sound like the unit is working harder than it should, it could be cause for concern.
Odd noises can include rattling noises, buzzing noises, clanking noises, grinding sounds or even whistling. If you hear these, don’t expect them to go away on their own, and be sure to reach out to a professional for an inspection. They will be able to identify the source of the noise, and diagnose why it is happening.
It is Giving Off Warm Air
Of course, if you feel the air conditioner giving off hot or warm air, that is a telltale sign that something isn’t right. This is generally easy to notice as your home won’t cool off at all, and simply putting your hand over the register or vent will alert you to the issue.
However, before you run to call someone to come repair or replace the unit, head over to the thermostat and check it out. If it isn’t sent to cooling, or the temperature it is set at is higher than the current temperature of your home, you may be inadvertently heating it.
If these aren’t the problem and the warm air still persists, it is often a bad compressor or the airflow is being restricted.
Getting Your Air Conditioner Fixed Up
As you can see, there are a few warning signs to watch out for when it comes to knowing when your air conditioner needs maintaining. They aren’t always easy to spot, but noticing them can help you fix the issue sooner rather than later, and potentially save you money over time.