Your air conditioning system is a real comfort during the hot summer months in Charles Town, WV. Over time, you may notice some issues developing with your AC. It’s important to be aware of signs that something more serious is going on. You need to know if there’s an impending breakdown of the system.
1. Unusual Odors
There shouldn’t be any noticeable smell coming from your air conditioner. However, if you do smell a foul odor coming from it, you might be dealing with a serious problem with the AC system. For instance, an electrical smell means that some component of the unit might be overheating, and you’ll need to replace it.
If you do notice an odor that isn’t strong and goes away after a short while, it likely isn’t a cause for alarm. If the odor lingers, though, or if it smells like rotten eggs (a sign of dangerous gas), contact a professional.
2. Less Effective at Cooling
If your air conditioner is not as effective as it had been before, this may be a sign that there’s something wrong with the AC system. Sometimes, the fix is as simple as making sure your air filter isn’t so dirty that it won’t let air through.
If you’ve checked everything within your control, and the AC still gives you warm air, that’s a sure sign of an issue. Routine maintenance can often catch problems before they occur, but if your AC can’t cool your home, it’s time for repairs.
3. Less Air Flow
In AC systems that are performing the right way, you will feel a consistent amount of airflow coming out while you have it running. When the airflow is inconsistent, it might mean something as minor as needing to clean the filters, but it might also point to a larger problem.
Air conditioners need air to flow to keep the pressure within the system consistent. Otherwise, they’ll strain to cool your home, undergoing more wear and tear than normal.
4. Weird Noises
If you hear some odd sounds coming from the AC, there is likely an issue. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a loose or malfunctioning piece of hardware that you can easily replace. For instance, if you hear intermittent creaking from your indoor air handler’s intake vent, you might need to replace your air filter.
Other noises might signal something that’s an easy fix but still requires a professional. For instance, squealing sounds may indicate that a belt is loose somewhere in the system. Hissing or bubbling are more concerning, however. They point to a leak somewhere in your refrigerant lines.
5. Higher Electric Bills
If you notice that your energy bills are more costly than usual, it could point to a big problem with your air conditioning system. Of course, it may mean you’ve been using your air conditioner and various electronics more often. But it also could be that your air conditioner is faulty. An air conditioner that isn’t efficiently running uses more power to cool a space, and this leads to higher electric bills.
6. Age of the AC
If your air conditioner is close to ten years old or older, it’s likely that it’s not going to be functional for much longer. This is when you should plan to get a new one. You might want to opt for an ENERGY-STAR-rated AC that will help you save more money in the long run.
Air conditioners can last 15 to 20 years if maintained properly. However, the average for central systems is closer to that 10-year mark, so you’ll probably want to keep an eye on your system once it hits it.
Assess the situation with your air conditioner if you notice any of the above signs. Then, reach out to us at Griffith Energy Services of the greater Charles Town, WV area for all your air conditioning repair needs.
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