You probably don’t think about your air conditioning very often. After all, it comes standard in Florida homes or apartments these days. The promise of cool comfortable homes despite the summer heat is usually taken for granted until you need AC repair and your home becomes a hot sticky swamp. Fortunately, with a proper maintenance routine, you may never have to endure a broken AC in the Florida heat.
Now that the intense heat of summer is here, you might worry about the shape of your AC unit. This blog will show you common signs of when it’s time for summertime ac repair.
The AC Isn’t Blowing Cool Air
This may seem obvious, but if your AC normally blasts ice cold air when you turn it on, but now it’s blowing warm air, there’s a good chance that you need AC repair.
This is one of the most common AC problems to occur during the summer, as the high temperatures outside cause the AC’s components to work harder. If your AC loses its refrigerant your unit won’t be able to effectively cool your home. However, if this happens, you don’t need to panic. It’s an easy enough problem to fix with a quick AC repair service.
To make sure your AC isn’t losing its refrigerant, you can check your AC’s gauge each month. If you notice that the amount of refrigerant in your tank is getting lower and lower, you need to call an AC repair service.
The AC Doesn’t Turn On at All
If you’re trying to turn on your AC, but nothing happens, it’s probably because there’s a problem with your system’s electrical wiring.
In order to cool your home, an AC system needs to have power. If the wiring isn’t properly connected or if there’s a problem with the circuit breaker, your AC will refuse to turn on.
If this happens to you, don’t worry: it’s an easy AC repair when you contact R.E. Long Services. But before you call an AC repair service, do some quick troubleshooting to save time. First, check if your electrical breakers are tripped. This would cause your AC to stop receiving power. It’s important to make sure there aren’t any other problems in your electrical system that could be causing your AC to not turn on.
Another common reason why the AC won’t turn on in the summer is because of a faulty thermostat. Be sure that the thermostat is switched to “on” and “cool”. If your thermostat has stopped working it’s simple to replace it yourself or your repair technician can take care of it.
You Smell Foul Odors
Are there bad smells coming from your AC unit? If you smell a foul odor coming from your AC, it could be caused by a number of things. Some of the most common culprits for foul odors include:
- – Dirty ductwork- Mold, mildew, or pest excrement can accumulate in dirty ducts and cause a terrible smell to waft through your home.
- – Old air filters- Air filters need to be changed every few months. Once mildew, cigarette smoke, or moisture has a chance to accumulate, your old air filter can become very smelly.
- – Refrigerant leak- Leaking freon can be very dangerous. If you suspect that your AC is leaking refrigerant you should shut off your unit right away and open all of your windows.
- – Fraying belts- a burning smell may merely indicate that your fan belt needs replaced, however, could be a sign of an electrical fire. It’s best to unplug the unit until its cause can be determined.
AC is Making Loud Noises
No one wants to turn on an AC unit to hear grinding, banging, or other loud noises. But this can happen when your AC unit is failing.
But what does it mean when your AC is making loud noises?
If your AC starts to make loud noises when it’s cooling your house, it’s probably because it’s starting to lose efficiency. As the temperature outside gets hotter, your AC will have to work harder to cool your home.
When the AC starts to lose efficiency, your AC’s motor is going to have to work harder and harder to get the job done. Over time, this will cause the motor to make louder and louder noises. If you hear loud noises coming from your AC, there are a few things you can do to try and reduce the noise.
First, make sure the unit is installed correctly, and that it’s not in an area that’s too windy. Next, clean the outside unit to reduce the amount of dirt, leaves, and other debris that’s causing the extra noise. Finally, check screws, belts, and other movable pieces for connections that may be coming loose.
If you are unsuccessful at getting the strange noises to stop, contact us for ac repair help.
Your Home Feels Humid
AC units are designed to keep your home cool, but they also help reduce the humidity in your home.
If the humidity in your home is too high, it can cause problems for your health. High humidity can lead to issues like allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. It can also cause damage to your home, such as mold growth. A dehumidifier can help to reduce the humidity in your home and make it healthier for you to live in, but an AC unit can help reduce the humidity levels in your home as well.
When you turn on your AC during the hottest days of summer, you’ll likely notice that the air feels significantly drier when compared to the indoor humidity levels of the cooler months here in FL. That’s because the AC system is designed to remove humidity from the air just as it removes excess heat. It does so by drawing in air from outside and passing it through an evaporative cooling pad before releasing it back into your home.
Humidity levels that are too high can point to a problem with the AC unit. Keep this in mind when the air in your home feels heavy and uncomfortable. Humidity levels in the home are typically between 30% to 50%.
You Have High Energy Bills
Energy bills are going up quite significantly, but if you’re noticing that your monthly energy bills are doubling or even tripling, your AC might be to blame. Even if it’s cooling your home effectively, it may be working in overdrive to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
This can cause your AC to use more electricity to cool your house. To fix this, you can check your AC’s efficiency rating to see if it’s time for an AC repair. If your AC is overworked, you can take steps to reduce the amount of electricity it uses.
For example, you can install a smart thermostat that allows you to set your home at different temperatures throughout the day. When you aren’t home, set the temperature a little warmer than what you normally do. When you return, you can set the thermostat to cool your home back down again. This is one great way to save energy on your cooling bills this summer season.
Check out our blog to learn more about how to save money on cooling costs.
Get AC Repair from RE Long Services
RE Long Services is your go-to AC repair company. Our experts are fully trained to repair all makes and models of AC in both residential and commercial buildings. No matter what type of AC repair you need, RE Long Services is here to help.
Do you have questions about ac repair? Contact us today or call us to get set up for an ac repair inspection.