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An air conditioner keeps everyone cool during the hot months of the year, but it’s important that every AC unit is serviced at least once a year before the really hot weather hits. Over time, every unit will degrade in terms of performance, and it’s good to understand when it might be time to call out a local HVAC technician to either repair or replace it. Here are five signs that your AC unit needs some expert attention.
- Strange Noises
Every air conditioner makes noise when it’s operating normally, but it’s not usually a good sign when it starts making wheezing noises, rattling noises, or banging noises. It might be something as simple as a loose screw, but it could also indicate something more serious, like a faulty compressor.
- Inefficient Cooling
As an AC unit ages, it tends to cool less efficiently, especially if it hasn’t been serviced in quite some time. Any time an AC unit suddenly stops cooling properly, or it doesn’t seem to be cooling as well as it usually does, there’s usually something amiss. In most cases, regular service and maintenance by a technician will address the problem, but sometimes the unit may need to be replaced entirely.
- The Electricity Bills Are Too High
The technology behind HVAC units is getting better all the time, resulting in more energy efficient units with a higher SEER rating. If it seems like your utility bills are higher than normal when your AC unit is running, it’s probably not working efficiently and may need to be serviced by a technician.
- It Smells Bad
Every HVAC unit has filters that need cleaning from time to time. The usual time frame is at least once every three months because these filters catch pollen, dust, and other possible allergens.
Sometimes an AC unit gets so clogged up with dust and debris, and the filter is so dirty and full of mould that it starts to smell when it’s operating. This is often a sign that the AC unit has mildew or mould growing inside it somewhere and needs to be professionally cleaned.
- Inconsistent Temperatures
A fully-operating AC is able to regulate temperatures with an inbuilt thermostat that is user-controlled. If a unit is blowing out cold air and then hot air, it could mean that the thermostat is damaged, that the refrigerant is too low, or that the compressor is damaged.
Conclusion – Regular Servicing Is the Key
An AC unit is supposed to keep you cool during the hottest months of the year, but if it’s not doing its job, it needs to be assessed by a professional air conditioner repair technician. Even though HVAC units do degrade in performance over time, annual servicing will ensure that the unit is maintained in good condition. This not only helps it operate properly so the home can remain cool, it also means that the unit operates in a more cost effective way.
