Home cooling is one of the most significant expenses on our electricity bills, especially in the summertime. We know air conditioners can be complicated, but we’re here to share with you nine signs your air conditioner needs repair that may have slipped out of your mind and may be causing you to spend more money than you should.
Photo by Carlos Lindner via Unsplash
An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins need regular maintenance for the device to perform successfully and efficiently throughout its life. Neglecting essential maintenance can significantly reduce your air conditioning effectiveness while increasing energy consumption – and hence bills. So, if you’re looking forward to getting some savings in your energy bills next month, here are…
Signs your Air Conditioner Needs Repair!
With these high temperatures, this is the time of year when your air conditioner breaks down the most since it must work more to maintain your house at a comfortable temperature. If you own a home with an old air conditioner, you should know these 9 warning signs your air conditioner needs repair.
1. You haven’t changed your AC filters in ages.
One of the signs your air conditioner needs repair can be that you do not remember the last time you changed your AC filters. The most important maintenance activity to preserve your air conditioner’s performance is regularly changing or cleaning its filters. Clogged or dirty filters restrict airflow and dramatically diminish system efficiency.
Furthermore, if the airflow is impeded, dirt may skip the filter and enter the evaporator coil, impairing the coil’s heat-absorbing ability. A clean filter may reduce your air conditioner’s energy usage by 5% to 15% – and yes, you got it, that’s 5% to 15% of savings each month.
Filters for central air conditioners are typically installed anywhere along the return duct’s length. Filters are often found in walls, ceilings, or the air conditioner itself. A filter is positioned in the grill of a room air conditioner that faces into the room. So if you’re facing these signs your air conditioner needs repair.
Some filters may be reused, while others must be changed. They come in a range of sizes and capacities. During the cooling season, clean or replace the air conditioning system’s filters every month or two. If your air conditioner is constantly in use, is exposed to dusty circumstances, or you have fur-bearing dogs in the home, the filters may need more regular replacement.
2. Does refrigeration gas R22 sound familiar to you?
R-22 refrigerant is often used in older heating and cooling systems (Freon). Due to its harmful effects on the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States has prohibited R22 imports and production as of the beginning of the year 2020. Due to the high price and scarcity of R22, future repairs to air conditioning systems using this refrigerant will be more expensive. So if this refrigerant sounds familiar to you, it might be one of the signs your air conditioner needs repair – or even replacement.
3. Your AC has been on for longer than its lifespan.
A typical AC unit will last for around a decade or more. Suppose your unit’s expected lifespan is shortening or has passed. In that case, this can be one of the signs your AC needs replacement, and you may want to look into AC replacement while also searching for financing possibilities. It’s possible that purchasing a new air conditioner may require a sizable financial outlay; however, the savings in maintenance and operational expenses resulting from its superior efficiency will more than offset those expenditures.
4. You find weird noises or weird smells coming out of it.
Have you ever pondered the mystery of your air conditioner’s clicking, screeching, or hissing sound? When your air conditioner begins making strange noises, it may be showing you signs your air conditioner needs repair. So when the time to have it checked comes, you should know several different things might cause these sounds, including the fan belt wearing out, an obstruction in the fan, electrical problems, a leak in the refrigerant, a clogged condensate drain, or failed fan motor bearings. If you hear strange sounds from your air conditioner, you should call a professional immediately.
On the smelly side, if you detect noxious fumes or a musty odor coming from your air conditioner, mold growth may be to blame. To make matters worse, the spores from this mold infestation may be carried inside by the wind and spread quickly across your house. So, one of the warning signs your air conditioner needs repair is the moment you get any weird smells or sounds coming out of it.
5. Your AC starts getting needy.
Every homeowner hopes their air conditioner will last forever, but one of the signs your air conditioner needs repair or even replacement is that it keeps asking for maintenance. Here’s what we mean: if you constantly contact the repairman and keep needing to buy new parts, it may be time to consider a replacement. Spending money on maintenance that just temporarily extends the unit’s life is wasteful and may strain a family budget.
When the AC specialists see that your system is about to reach the end of its life, they will let you know so that you have time to save up for a new unit or look into financing alternatives if you need them.
6. There is hot air coming from your cooling system.
Another of the signs your air conditioner needs repair is that it’s blowing hot air. Problems with the compressor or the refrigerant levels might cause an air conditioner that blows warm air. It’s possible that if your air conditioner isn’t effectively cooling the house, the ducts in your home are inefficient and are drawing air from elsewhere, such as the outdoors or the attic.
7. Virtually no air circulation.
Your air conditioner isn’t doing its job if you can’t feel any air flowing out of the vents or if the airflow is extremely faint. As the temperature outside soars this summer, you and your loved ones won’t be able to relax in a stuffy home. Inadequate airflow is often the result of a malfunctioning air compressor or duct system.
8. Water accumulating below the AC unit
Some condensate moisture is expected in the area surrounding your AC system. Still, puddles or a buildup with an unusual hue might be one of the signs your air conditioner needs repair because of a much bigger problem. Due to their toxicity, refrigerants’ leaks constitute a significant safety risk. Whether your air conditioner is leaking condensation, a technician should inspect the drainpipes to see if they are clogged or damaged.
9. Rising energy bills
When temperatures soar, electricity costs naturally follow suit. However, your air conditioner’s efficiency may be impaired if you witness a sudden rise in your bill that doesn’t appear to reflect the increased consumption (or an increased rate if you haven’t moved to a fixed rate electricity plan). The ductwork, the thermostat, or the air conditioner itself might all be nearing the end of their useful lives. Besides of being one of the signs your air conditioner needs repair, rising energy bills can take a huge toll on your monthly finances. Now that you’re here you can take a look at other ways to get some savings on your energy bills.
Knowing the warning signs your air conditioner needs repair, or its last legs is crucial as a homeowner. The earlier you see these red flags, the more time you’ll have to plan financially and investigate your family’s finest air conditioning financing choices.
