Four Signs You Need An AC Repair Tech

Even though most of the United States is moving into the cold winter months, there's still plenty of time for your air conditioner to give you trouble, especially if you live in milder climates. While some indications that you need to hire an AC repair technician are obvious, such as a unit that isn't even turning on, others are less conspicuous. Early detection is key here since pinpointing and taking care of an issue early is the best way to eliminate major problems down the road. If you see any of the issues below, call an air conditioning repair technician as soon as possible.

Weird Noises and Smells

If it's operating correctly, your air conditioner should only make a gentle clicking sound when the unit turns on or off. If you hear a clanking, screeching, or a grinding sound coming through your air vents, that's an indication that one of the parts inside your unit is broken. It may be something small, such as a bolt that is fallen off and is rolling around inside your vents, or it could be something major, like a fan belt that has snapped. Moreover, if you smell mildew or mold coming from your air vents, you need to have a technician clean your ductwork immediately to prevent possible health issues.

Rooms Not Cooling Properly

As your air conditioner ages, it's inevitable that it will start to wear down and not cool your home as efficiently as it used to. One of the telltale signs of an air conditioning system that's on the decline is rooms that are not cooled evenly. Usually, the rooms that are closer to the air conditioning system will be cold, but the ones farther away will stay warm. Have a technician look at it, but don't be surprised if they recommend replacing the air conditioner completely.

Unit Is Blowing Hot Air

It may sound surprising, but air conditioners actually require hot air in order to function properly. The condenser coils (and the refrigerant that is located inside) are responsible for converting the hot air into cold air; if it's blocked by grime or dust, then that process won't take place. Open up the grates and clean the condenser calls if you can, but if not, contact an AC repair technician to have a look at.

Skyrocketing Electric Bills

Even though energy costs are on the rise nationally, your usage should remain relatively the same from year to year. Pull out your old bills and compare them to your most current ones: if your usage has gone up, then that means that your air conditioning system is having to work harder to keep your home at the same temperature. You'll want to have an HVAC company take a look at it to see what's wrong and have any possible AC repairs fixed to keep your bills lower.