AC units tend to develop a fault when you need them the most. That’s because these systems are pushed beyond their capabilities during hotter days.
So, if your HVAC unit is not making your home as warm as you want during winter or cold in summer, then it’s time to pay more attention to your AC unit. Usually, these appliances give early signs of a potential problem but can go unaddressed.
To help regain your comfort, here are 9 signs you should watch out for if your home temperature feels off.
Surprising rise in utility expenses
Ideally, how much you pay to keep your home warm or cold should be almost the same, except you have made some changes. While it’s expected for your utility cost to spike during summer heat waves and winter cold spells, it’s abnormal during the middle of any season.
If you haven’t twerked your AC unit settings for months, your utility cost should remain relatively the same. So, a significant change in your utility expense is a good indication that your AC unit needs repair or replacement. In this case, it’s best to contact a professional to check out your HVAC system.
HVAC unit blowing warm air
The primary purpose of buying an air conditioning unit is to keep your family comfortable during muggy and hot summer months. However, if your AC unit blows out warm air instead of cold air to drop your home temperature during sweltering periods, you should contact a professional HVAC technician to help fix it.
Condensation and/or leaks
Condensation or leaks might be the reason your HVAC isn’t doing its job. Unlike your faucets, air conditioning unit leaks usually go unnoticed. In most cases, it’s water condensing around the exhaust ports, under the AC unit, or near the vents. However, it’s not uncommon to find water dripping from those areas.
Another good indication of a leaky HVAC unit is mold appearing on the vents. Check for leaks, condensation, or mold, if your air conditioning unit isn’t dropping or increasing your room temperature. If any appears, call an HVAC professional to inspect your AC unit and proffer appropriate solutions.
The HVAC making strange noise
If your HVAC makes an unusual noise like a clinking or whirlpool noise, it could be signaling an issue with your system. A scraping noise indicates an issue with the blower wheel. In some instances, your air conditioning unit might make a rattling, humming, or loud noise, it might be time to seek professional assistance to avoid costly repairs.
Faulty AC Thermostat
AC units have thermostats that help regulate the amount of cold or warm air blown out and keep track of the HVAC performance for proper functioning.
So, if your AC unit keeps shutting off abruptly or won’t turn on, it could be the thermostat at fault. This delicate electrical component may not be accurately monitoring the system’s performance to produce the right amount of cold or warm air to achieve your desired room temperature.
Fixing this problem requires a trained HVAC specialist to avoid complicating and further damaging your air conditioning unit. At New Life Heating and Air, we’ll treat your home as if it was our own. Our HVAC company can help clients throughout Pottstown, PA, and beyond get high-quality HVAC service. We aim to make sure each and every client gets fantastic assistance; no matter the job, we’ll go above and beyond to ensure you don’t face potential problems down the line. We can help with all your Air Conditioning, Furnace, Boiler, and Mini split, repair, installation, maintenance and much more.
Awful odor
If your home starts smelling strange whenever you turn on the HVAC system, you should be concerned. There are different reasons why a strange smell is coming from the AC unit.
For example, if the bad odor smells like rotten eggs, this could be natural gas in your AC unit leaking. While you might attempt to find the leak spot and seal it yourself, it’s best to turn off the HVAC system and allow your gas company to fix it to be on the safer side.
However, if it smells like food or hair burning and lingers for more than a day, then it’s a problem with one of the HVAC components at fault. In this case, contact a trained AC unit to inspect and repair.
AC unit is old
If your HVAC system has served you for more than 10 years, then it might be time to change it. Generally, these AC system lifespan is around a decade.
So, if your air conditioning unit is no longer cooling or heating as much as you want, it’s best to shop for a new one. While calling a professional HVAC technician can help you get more days out of the unit, changing it altogether will help avoid spending more on repairs and eventually having to replace it.
AC unit not removing enough humidity
One of the essential functions of an AC unit is to lower the amount of moisture in the air. Ideally, your home’s humidity level should be reduced while your HVAC is operational. If otherwise seems to be the case, then it’s likely your air conditioning needs to be repaired.
Sudden temperature changes
A properly functioning air conditioning unit will keep your home’s temperature at your desired level throughout the day. If your AC system struggles to maintain a fairly consistent temperature or operates sluggishly, turn it off and call a professional to help determine the root cause of the problem.
Conclusion
All in all, we’ve discussed several signs of HVAC system issues, from increased utility bills to unusual noises coming from your AC units. Paying attention to these warning signals is crucial to avoiding costly repairs and maintaining indoor comfort.
Whether the problem is a malfunctioning thermostat or mold growing around the vent, it’s important to address these issues as soon as possible. Ignoring them and running a faulty HVAC system can lead to breakdowns. Call an HVAC professional to inspect and suggest the best course of action – repair or replace.
