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Comfort in our homes is one of the top priorities for having and maintaining a happy space to live in. However, it often gets overlooked or taken for granted when it comes to the comfort of air conditioning. We only notice it when something is wrong with it, and by that time, we could be in some serious discomfort.
So how can you stay mindful of the condition of your ac unit’s health to ensure dependable comfort year-round? What are the common signs that your air conditioning could be experiencing issues? When is it time to call a technician to come in and take a look?
Signs Your Air Conditioning Isn’t Working Right
You can save yourself a lot of money if you catch air conditioning issues early. If you know the common warning signs, you can call a technician to come out and fix an issue before it gets worse, threatening your bank account and home comfort. So what are the most common red flags when it comes to air conditioning?
-Weird sounds. Other than the normal sound of a unit kicking on or off and the fan, air conditioning systems are mostly quiet. Any loud clicking, banging, or buzzing in any part of the system is worth looking into.
-Uneven temperature distribution. Another sign there might be an issue is if your air conditioning is having trouble maintaining the desired temperature throughout the house. This could be due to leaky windows or doors, but could also indicate an issue with the ac unit itself.
-Warm air blowing. If your air conditioning system is blowing warm air when it should be blowing cool air, then something is wrong with your system and you should have it looked at as soon as possible.
-Unusually dusty registers and vents. Vents inevitably will get a little dusty—that is normal and nothing to be concerned about. However, if there seems to be a significant increase in the amount of dust accumulating in your vents and ducts, you may want to check it out to see why.
-Thermostat not working right. A more obvious issue indicating the need for air conditioning repair is if your thermostat isn’t working correctly. Sometimes seemingly bug issues can be traced back to a faulty thermostat, so never overlook it as a possible culprit.
-Strange smells. Air conditioning units should be odorless, so if you start smelling anything strange from your vents, you should call to have it checked out. Sometimes there will be a slight dust-burning smell when you turn on the heat for the first time in the season, and this is normal, but any other smells would be cause for concern.
-Leaks. If you ever see leaks in or around your air conditioning, either water or refrigerant, there is likely a bigger issue that needs to be addressed.
-Unaccounted rise in the electric bill. Sometimes the only red flag you will get that something is not quite right with your air conditioning system is an unusual rise in your electric bill. This can either look like a sudden peak in cost or a consistent up-rise in the cost of cooling your home over the course of a few months.
How to Choose an Air Conditioning Repair Service
Once you realize you should call an air conditioning service to come to take a look at your system, you have to make sure that you hire a reputable company that will tackle the job thoroughly and professionally. What are some things to consider as you sort through your options?
-Reputation. Always check a company’s customer reviews, ideally from unbiased sites like Yelp or Google Maps. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to look for any complaints. Check to ensure that a company has a constant trend of doing good, professional work before considering them for your job.
-Cost. In general, it is never wise to go with the cheapest option. If you want quality and professionalism, you need to ensure that any prospective HVAC company has competitive rates for its services. Be sure to compare several local companies to get an idea of what the current rates are.
-Certification. Legitimate HVAC companies should be able to show proof of certification and the correct licensure to practice HVAC repair in your state. Don’t be afraid to ask to see these in your search for legitimate repair companies.
-Experience. You may want to ask about a company’s or contractor’s experience with your specific type of air conditioning system or the issue involved. It will give you peace of mind, especially if you have a unique system or a particularly complicated issue.
-Availability. Lastly, you will want to check any HVAC company or contractor’s availability to help you with your air conditioning problem. Some companies will be able to get a technician to you on the same day, while others may not have the availability to come by and assess your issue for a couple of days. Depending on your issue, you may be able to wait a few days, but with some issues, you will want someone out as soon as possible to check and fix your issue.
What to Ask the Repair Technician
Once a technician comes to assess the issue with your air conditioning, what are some questions you can ask to get a fuller picture of the problem and solution?
-What is the issue and how did it come about?
-What can be done to remedy the problem?
-What will it cost to repair or replace?
-How long will it take?
-What can be done in the future to prevent reoccurrence?
-When should it be checked again?
Final Thoughts
Air conditioning is the foundation on which all other home comforts are built. Stay ahead of possible air conditioning failure by scheduling regular, biannual servicing by a local air conditioning company. A company like Comfort Specialists in Succasunna, NJ can provide for all your air, heating, and plumbing needs, covering all the home bases and ensuring you always have a welcoming haven to return to and that you can depend on to provide comfort and ease.