Ever since air conditioners became an integral part of every home during the 50s and 60s of the last century, we have begun to wonder how people once lived without it. When summer comes and temperatures of over 90 degrees Fahrenheit strikes us, we think we wouldn’t survive without the help of air conditioning. When the summer heat is at full swing, we just want to be as close as possible to this device and somehow survive until evening.
But if you live in the northern hemisphere, it is currently winter and you may have already forgotten how much you will need air conditioner in just a few months. That now seems far away. Now your main concern is that your home is well heated, and you will think about cooling when the time comes. But we can tell you that is a mistake. You need to prepare in advance and do regular maintenance, especially if you noticed at the end of last summer that your air conditioner is not working as it did before. We will tell you what are the signs that you need air conditioner maintenance, so if you have noticed any of them, do not wait for the summer but solve the problem immediately.
1. Energy bill higher than usual
Of course, the air conditioner does not have to be the only culprit for the fact that the energy bill is higher than usual. First check if it is only one month where the energy bill is higher than usual. It is logical that the electricity bill is higher than usual if it is a warmer month, but it must be a rational difference compared to winter. If this is the case, then it is not a red flag. But if this is repeated from month to month, and the price of electricity has not increased, it is very likely that some of the devices are damaged and therefore consume more electricity than before. The air conditioner is one of the largest, if not largest consumers of energy in the home, so it is the first device that you should check and, if necessary, do regular maintenance or repair.
2. Air is not cold enough
In case the air is not cold, first you need to check if the cooling mode is on. Maybe you forgot to switch back from heating mode you used during fall or winter or someone mistakenly switched to the wrong mode. If it is in cooling mode, and the air is still not cold, then that is a completely clear sign that you need professional help. It happens that the air coming out of the air conditioner is not as cold as it used to be or even not as cold at all, and the reasons can be many. It can be restricted airflow, compressor problems, clogged filters or blocked ductwork. It can also happen that the replenishment of freon is necessary. In any case, there is a problem. Do not ignore even if the temperature varies. The air temperature must be constant, if the thermostat or something else is not broken.
3. High humidity indoors
During the warm part of the year, it is normal for the humidity to be much higher than usual. First of all, it is very high outside, sometimes close to 100 percent, which of course must be reflected to the humidity we feel inside the house. But still, it should not be very humid indoors, because that is one of the main reasons why you have an air conditioner, in addition to cooling you down. One of the basic functions is humidity control, so if you notice that you are sweating in the house and feel like you are in the middle of the jungle, you may have a problem with the air conditioning. If this happens again for several days in a row and the device fails to bring the humidity to the level it was before, call a professional to determine what the problem is. It’s probably leaky ductwork, but let them determine the cause.
4. Unpleasant smell
If you smell an unpleasant and strange odor, it is very likely that it is coming from your air conditioner or HVAC system. Of course, first check that it is not some other source of that smell, but it probably is not. This probably means that the unit is dirty or the filter needs to be replaced. Don’t procrastinate, because it’s not just a matter of unpleasant smell. A dirty filter can cause allergic reactions, especially in people who are prone to it. If you are interested in that topic, find more about how A/C unit is affecting indoor air quality at www.acservicesmaui.com. You can also try using ultraviolet lamps if you have them, to destroy the various bacteria and mold that may exist in the air conditioner, but regular filter replacement is also necessary. Also, make sure that there is no problem with the wires, because they can be source of strange small too, and that can be dangerous and cause a fire.
5. Noises
You’ve probably having an air conditioner for decades, so you know it’s not a noisy device at all. It’s often so quiet that you’re not even sure if it’s on until you look at it or feel the cool air. So if it suddenly starts making sounds that sound more like a tractor rather than an air conditioner, there is certainly a problem. Some of the most common sounds that can occur are metallic screeching, grinding or banging. This may indicate loose belts, a broken part of the unit, as well as debris in the filter. It is best to call professionals as soon as possible to check what is causing those strange noises. Because if you do not react in time, it can happen that some part is irreparably damaged and you have to replace the air conditioner. Worse, if you have an HVAC system, then there can be significant system damage, which will be very expensive to repair.
Conclusion:
The most important thing is to regularly maintain everything in your house, including the air conditioner. This way you will always have a highly functional device and you will reduce costs
