Signs Your AC Needs Repair

Understanding when your air conditioning unit needs a repair can prevent severe damage and the need for a premature replacement. Below, you can explore some telltale signs that your air conditioning unit requires fixing.

Limited Airflow

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Hold your hand up to one of the vents throughout your home. If you feel limited to no airflow, there may be an issue with your unit’s filters or refrigerant levels. This means there will be poor circulation throughout your home, and your household members likely won’t be comfortable in any room because of the stagnant air. When you enlist professional HVAC repair, an experienced technician can perform repairs, like replacing filters or topping off refrigerant levels.

Increased Utility Costs

As a homeowner, you likely know how much your energy bill is every month. Checking your account and confirming that the amount is roughly the same each month can help you assess whether your air conditioning unit is working properly. If one day you notice that your power bill is much higher with no notable changes in energy consumption, your air conditioning unit may not be running as efficiently as it once did. An experienced HVAC technician can diagnose the exact issue and get your unit back to operating at its prime.

Humidity in Your Home

If walking into your home feels like you’re walking into a steam bath, there may be an issue with your AC unit. An AC unit’s job is to minimize indoor humidity by turning water vapor into liquid and removing the excess through a drain. If there’s a problem with your AC coil, likely, your unit won’t be able to fulfill this duty. Instead, the vapor will remain in your home, creating a hot and sticky-feeling environment.

You may feel this humidity throughout your home or in a specific room. If you’re unsure if the moisture is excessive, you can look for signs of it by keeping an eye out for mildew or mold. It’s essential to quickly address humidity issues related to your AC unit, as it can result in mildew and mold spores contaminating your indoor air.

This is especially troublesome if you have immunocompromised or allergy-prone individuals living in your home. By calling a professional HVAC company, you can make your home a comfortable place with healthy air circulating throughout it.

A Malfunctioning Thermostat

The thermostat is the heart of your air conditioning system, so it must function at its peak. It tells which elements to operate and informs them how long they should run. If some of the buttons on your thermostat aren’t working, you may be unable to execute the commands you want. You should also look for signs of a glitching display screen. The thermostat may not show accurate readings, making it difficult to know if your AC unit is working. You can enlist an HVAC technician’s help so that they can make the thermostat readable and usable.

Abnormal Sounds

Ideally, the only sound your AC unit should be emitting is the soft flow of air, which may be difficult for you even to detect. Sometimes, the quiet purr of machinery is also acceptable. However, if you notice loud and unusual sounds interrupting your peaceful day in front of the TV, your AC unit likely requires repair. Here are some common sounds that indicate an AC repair is imminent:

• Clicking sounds from the outdoor unit: Your outdoor unit’s fan may be hitting a small object as it runs. You can have a qualified HVAC repair technician from Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. inspect your unit and remove any obstructions.
• Banging sounds from the outdoor unit: A louder banging sound from your outdoor unit may indicate that your fan has come off its mount and is hitting the exterior cage.
• High-frequency hissing from the outdoor unit: A high-frequency hissing noise from your outdoor unit may indicate excess pressure within your compressor. If you hear this noise, it’s best to turn off your system until an HVAC technician can come out to inspect your unit.
• Shrill noises from the indoor unit: If you hear a shrill noise coming from your indoor unit, the fan belt is likely loose. While the sound may come and go, it’s crucial to address the issue sooner rather than later.

Unpleasant Odors

Your AC unit shouldn’t emit any unpleasant odors. If you’re smelling something odd that you can’t pinpoint, it’s worth having a professional check it out. For instance, a musty smell can indicate the presence of mold and mildew. These factors are bad for your family’s health and can lead to the deterioration of your equipment if they go unchecked.

You may also smell a strong burning odor, indicating an issue with your unit’s insulation or electrical wiring. It’s best to leave this task to the professionals who have handled similar situations. Give Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. a call, and we’ll send a qualified technician to assess the situation.

The Emission of Warm Air

If you feel decent flow coming from your vents, but the air is warm, your AC unit might be due for repair. One of the most common causes of this issue is that one of the system’s ducts is extracting air from an attic space or the outside environment instead of the compressor like it should be. You may also need to top off your refrigerant levels. Whatever the problem is, an experienced HVAC technician can diagnose it and take the appropriate corrective action so that you can cool off in the comfort of your home.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs that may signal your air conditioning needs repairs, give our team a call at Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. today. We’ll help you schedule a service visit, and one of our trained technicians will come out to inspect your unit and determine what repairs are necessary to keep you cool.