Your air conditioning system is a substantial purchase and should provide you with many years of reliable service. That being said, eventually, the equipment will wear out and require a repair or replacement.
Not sure if you should pick up the phone to call a technician? Below, we’ll provide you with a few ways to know.
1. The thermostat isn’t responding or is going haywire.
For thermostat problems, there are a few things to check before calling a technician:
- See if the thermostat needs new batteries.
- If your thermostat is hardwired and unresponsive, check to see if it tripped the circuit breaker associated with it.
- If you own a smart or Wi-Fi thermostat, try installing the latest software update to see if that gets rid of any bugs.
If these basic troubleshooting steps fail to fix your thermostat, it’s time to contact a reliable HVAC repair company to diagnose the problem.
2. Your air conditioner is blowing out room temperature or warm air.
Has your air conditioner lost its cooling power? There are a couple of things you can check that may solve the issue. First, make sure your thermostat is on the right setting. If it’s only set to “on” but not “cool,” then your system’s fan will circulate air even if the system isn’t cooling the air with refrigerant.
Next, make sure your air conditioner has a clean air filter. Dirty air filters obstruct airflow through your air conditioning system, which can lead to overheating and numerous other cooling issues.
If you still don’t feel cool air coming out of your vents after trying out these tips, there could be a faulty component in your air conditioner or possibly a refrigerant leak. It’s time for a repair.
3. You feel little to no airflow coming out of your air vents.
This is another issue that may be caused by a dust-clogged air filter. Double-check that your system has a clean filter and that nothing is blocking the return vent before calling a technician. If airflow continues to be a problem, then you may need help from a technician with one of the following issues:
- Frozen indoor coils (this can happen when a dirty air filter blocks airflow into the system)
- The blower motor (the part that powers the fan)
- Leaky air vents
- Something blocking or pinching off an air vent
4. Your air conditioner is making strange smells or noises.
While your air conditioner may not run silently, it shouldn’t be making any loud scraping, grinding, rattling, or squealing sounds. It definitely should not be creating musty or “burnt rubber” odors. These are warning signs that your AC system needs maintenance or repairs.
5. The system is struggling much more than it used to, to cool and dehumidify your home.
If your system’s performance has declined quite a bit in recent years, it’s very likely that the equipment is approaching the end of its lifespan. Air conditioning units last around 15 years on average, and with maintenance and repairs, they can last longer. Just know that the older the system gets, the less efficiently it will perform.
6. Repair costs and energy costs are stacking up.
As mentioned above, aging systems get less efficient with time. This means that the older your AC gets, the more energy it will require to run, and the more money it will cost to operate. Additionally, older air conditioners are more prone to breakdowns because they contain an increasing number of worn-out parts. If you find that your system is racking up your energy bills and requiring frequent repairs, you may want to consider investing in a new, more efficient, and more reliable air conditioner.
Caldwell AC Services
At Carter Comfort Systems, we’re proud to provide high-quality AC services to homeowners, business owners, and contractors throughout Caldwell. Contact our team today to schedule your appointment by calling (208) 739-4181.