Signs It’s Time to Call an AC Repair Pro

With Summer just around the corner and the mercury and the hygrometer rising to such degrees that it makes the mere thought of heading makes you burst out in a sweat, it’s probably time to double-check your AC to ensure that it is in good working order and ready to meet the demands of a hot, sticky season. For most folks, though, it’s all good and well to say that you need to check that it’s working sufficiently, but what does this mean in practice, particularly for those who might not be the most handy? Fortunately, for those of you who don’t count yourself as a home DIY extraordinaire, we’re here to provide you with a lowdown of some of the more common signs that could indicate that you need to call in the pros to fix and fettle your machines.

Insufficient Cooling

The first and arguably most obvious sign is that no matter how low you turn the temperature down, it never seems to cool the space adequately. This can be due to several reasons, but before you immediately jump to the more serious conclusions, bear in mind that it might simply be that it needs a basic clean and tune-up to get it back in full working order once more. According to K&S Heating & Air, an HVAC maintenance company that operates out of Garland and North Dallas, a one-time tune-up might be all that’s needed to increase the overall efficiency of your machine and ensure that you remain cool during even the most humid days. Whether or not they discover a more serious issue will depend on how old and abused your HVAC system is, but in most cases, a clean and refill will be sufficient to get it working again.

Strange Noises

In most instances regarding mechanical things, you can rely on three senses to help you either figure out what’s wrong or, at the very least, give you an indication that something is wrong and needs immediate attention:

1. Visual
2. Audio
3. Olfactory

We will cover the third one in the next section, but for now, we’re looking at, or listing out for, any strange noises that just don’t sound right. The most common sounds to listen to include:

• Banging
• Whirring
• Grinding
• Squeaking

If you hear any of these noises coming from your AC unit, you should turn it off immediately and wait for a dedicated maintenance company to come out to diagnose and remedy whatever might be causing the issue. Again, you need not worry immediately that you will have to fork out thousands, as it can often be something as simple as a worn-out motor belt that needs replacing.

Unpleasant Odors

Now, we move on to the olfactory sense, which can give you some clues as to what might be ailing your machine. Some of the primary reasons for a foul or unusual smell emanating from the AC unit could be:

• Mold: This is typically the most common cause of a smell, and it smells musty. It can happen if you’ve failed to maintain and clean the machine over time.
• Dirty filters: If you don’t know you need to replace or clean your filters regularly, you’re not alone. But taking this step can ensure that they work as they should and keep allergens and pollutants from entering your home.
• Dirty evaporator coil: The evaporator coil, where liquid refrigerant turns into gas, can accumulate dirt and moisture, fostering microbial growth, which, suffice it to say, causes a pretty awful smell.
• Dead animals: Yes, that’s right. Small animals and insects have a habit of crawling into the smaller spaces of these machines to create a nest or hide from predators. The problem is that if they die, they decompose, leaving a terrible odor that needs to be removed as soon as possible.

Increased Energy Bills

While operating an air conditioner throughout your home is a costly endeavor, you should have a good idea of your monthly utility bills. If you discover that this figure is rising substantially without any increase in tariff from your electricity company, the primary culprit is more often than not going to be your AC. When you find your bills rising way beyond what you usually pay, you might consider calling out an AC maintenance company to figure out what the issue might be. The initial cost of paying for the professionals will be massively offset once your bills return to normal once again.

The signs mentioned in this post should never be ignored. While they may only involve simple steps to fix, they could be indicative of more serious issues that might become more serious if ignored.