Having a functional AC unit is essential if you’re going to keep your home comfortable in the summertime.

Every homeowner puts their air conditioner through its paces when it’s hot out. As long as you perform regular maintenance and refrain from pushing it too hard, your unit will still stand the test of time. A new AC unit should last between 12-15 years under these circumstances.

As the system ages, however, little problems will start to arise. The sooner you recognize these issues and get home AC repair, the longer your unit will last. If you don’t do regular maintenance or leave small issues to get worse, you may end up having to replace the unit in full.

Today, we’re going to look at some of the clear signs that you need AC repairs. Your AC unit won’t break down without warning, so keep reading, and you’ll be able to recognize problems when they crop up.

1. System Is Blowing Warm Air

One obvious issue that requires attention is when you turn your AC unit on, and it blows out warm air instead of cool air. Your AC unit has a very specific job, and that’s to keep you cool and comfortable when it’s hot out. If it’s making your home even warmer, you need to get it fixed.

This could indicate a few different problems, all of which require professional attention. First, you could have a faulty air compressor or dirty air filters which are affecting your air compressor. You need to make sure you’re cleaning your air filters and replacing them every 1-6 months, depending on how much you use your AC.

Another cause of this might have to do with your refrigerant levels. If you’ve got a refrigerant leak, your unit won’t cool the air properly, and you’ll feel warm air coming from the vents. It could also be an issue with your ducts, but the best way to find out is to have a professional inspection done.

2. Energy Bills Are Rising

A lot of the time, you’ll find out that you have an AC problem without any tangible signs to go off of. One of the worst ways to find out that you need HVAC repair is because your energy bills are unusually and inexplicably high.

Your bills should only fluctuate a few dollars every month. If they go up significantly, it points to serious issues with your HVAC AC or ventilation, which means you need to get it repaired before it costs you even more money.

Most of the time, energy bills are going up because your HVAC unit has to work harder to cool your home. This could be the result of something small, like a clogged air filter, or something more serious, like leaks in the ductwork, a broken thermostat, or simply an aging HVAC system that needs replacing.

3. Thermostat Problems

When you start having problems with your thermostat, any number of issues could be behind it. You need your thermostat to function properly because it’s essentially the command center of the entire HVAC operation. If it’s not communicating properly with your system, it needs fixing.

If your AC unit doesn’t engage when you set your thermostat, it could be a tripped circuit breaker, or your thermostat has dead batteries. If it’s cooling inconsistently, you can check the thermostat sensor near the evaporator coil, which is what measures the air temperature.

If your unit is short cycling, it could result from an improperly calibrated thermostat. Short cycling also occurs when your AC unit is too big for your home, so it frequently turns on and off to maintain the temperature. This is really bad for your air compressor.

Conversely, when your AC unit is long cycling, it’s staying on for too long, which can also take a toll on the unit. Most of the time, this goes back to the thermostat or some issue with the electrical connections between the thermostat and the rest of the system.

4. Sounds and Smells

You’re probably used to your HVAC system making a bit of noise when it turns on and starts cooling. There are also several noises that it should never make if it’s functioning properly.

For example, a hissing sound signals a refrigerant leak. A clicking sound when it turns on and off is often due to a problem with relaying. Thumping and banging tell you there’s an issue with the blower motor, and faulty electronics make a buzzing noise.

Your AC unit shouldn’t have any particular smell. A strong burning smell when it turns on might tell you that you’ve got damaged wiring in the unit. Musky smells tell you that there’s mold somewhere in your duct system – not an AC issue, but one that should be dealt with quickly.

5. Unusual Leaking

You should be inspecting your HVAC unit on a regular basis, especially the outside part that you might not see every day. On a normal hot day, you’ll see water draining out of the AC unit while it’s in use. On a normal cool day, your AC unit will also drain water out of the system.

If it’s leaking at any other point or leaking more than usual, it could be any of the following:

  • Dirty air filter
  • Blocked drain pipe
  • Low coolant
  • Damaged condensate pan
  • Poor installation

Inspect all of these components to determine if your leak is going to be a real problem. If you can’t find the source of the leaking, it’s best to call your local HVAC repair service to have a look.

Get the Best Home AC Repair in San Diego County

If you notice any of the above problems with your AC unit, it’s important to get them inspected and repaired as soon as possible. It’s always cheaper to repair your unit than to replace it, but if you let problems get worse, replacement might be necessary.

Finding home AC repair, you can trust can be tricky. At Air Pro, we’re one of San Diego County’s most reputable and affordable HVAC repair and replacement services. To request an estimate for your repairs, contact us today, and we’ll help you remain comfortable in your home.

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