Keeping your air conditioner in top condition ensures that your home is comfortably cool during hot and humid days. It also keeps your unit running efficiently, preventing unwanted spikes in your energy bills.
For these reasons, it is essential to have your AC repaired as soon as problems are detected. Following routine maintenance also helps prevent defects caused by daily use. If you’re wondering when to contact repair services and how often you should have your AC unit repaired, here’s a helpful guide.
Signs You Should Contact AC Repair Services
It’s always better to call for professional repair services than try fixing the problems in your AC by yourself. Air conditioning systems are complex and delicate. Unless you’re a professional, you could make the situation worse. Here are a few signs that indicate it’s time to call for help:
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Warm Air
Check your thermostat if your AC vents are blowing out warm air. Ensure it’s on cooling mode, and switch it to a lower temperature. If your unit is still blowing warm air, call for repair services. It may have compressor issues or an insufficient amount of refrigerant.
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Humid Feeling While the AC Is On
Aside from cooling your home, air conditioners also make your space less humid. Your unit may have refrigerant or thermostat calibration issues if you feel sticky inside your house while the AC is running.
The usual thing homeowners do is turn down the temperature. But if your cooling system has low refrigerant levels, this can make your AC system work harder, leading to higher energy usage. On top of that, using units with little refrigerant can cause damage to your AC system.
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Water or Refrigerant Leaks
Water or refrigerant may leak from your cooling system. If you see water puddles near your unit but don’t find ice buildup on it, it’s only water leaking from your AC. But if you see ice on your air conditioner, what’s leaking from it is refrigerant. Both these leaks can cause structural damage to your home. The wise thing to do is address these problems immediately.
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Strange Odors
Unpleasant odors coming from your cooling system can be dangerous since they may pose health or safety hazards. Usual causes of foul odor in ACs include mold growth and electrical wiring damage. Local repair services can adequately diagnose the cause of the strange smell and fix the issue, making your AC unit safe to use.
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Odd Noises
Your cooling system should not make a lot of noise, apart from a consistent hum and the sound of flowing air. Something’s probably wrong when you hear strange, loud, or sudden sounds from your AC unit. Noises such as buzzing or rattling can indicate a loose part, while squealing sounds may suggest that the belt isn’t working correctly.
Proper Maintenance of Your AC Unit
Having your cooling system maintained by professionals can prevent problems in your AC unit from becoming more significant. Routine tune-ups also help ensure that your cooling system works efficiently. Unserviced AC units tend to lose efficiency. As a result, they consume more energy, causing spikes in utility bills. Aside from that, a lack of regular maintenance can reduce the lifespan of your unit by half.
How Often Should You Call for Maintenance?
In general, it’s a good idea to have your air conditioner serviced at least once a year. However, if you live in an area with high temperatures and humidity, you may need to have your AC serviced more frequently. For instance, AC units are used year-round in hot and sunny Florida. In this area, it is best to schedule AC tune-ups every six months to keep the cooling system running smoothly.
When To Schedule Routine Maintenance?
Savvy homeowners usually schedule routine maintenance during early to mid-spring to gear up their ACs for the hot summer days. Cooling systems tend to be used more often during hot weather, and the heat can make air conditioners work harder to cool homes.
Having your cooling system in top condition before summer can help prevent problems and breakdowns. As a result, you can confidently stay relaxed and comfortable throughout the hot season.
What Do Experts Do During Tune-Ups?
Your technician performs tasks to ensure your system works appropriately during your tune-up. These tasks usually cover the following:
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Visually inspecting the whole HVAC system
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Inspecting the condensate pump
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Examining if the thermostat is correctly calibrated
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Changing the air filters
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Cleaning and examining the indoor and outdoor coils
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Clearing the condensate pump of dirt, dust, and debris
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Removing any dirt from the system
Reach Out to AC Experts
Keeping your homes cool and comfortable is essential, especially during the hot summer months. Call your local AC repair and maintenance services to ensure your cooling system functions properly.