The temperatures may be cool now, but within just a few months the heat of the summer sun will be back in full action. Now is a good time to learn the signs that you need AC repair so that you don’t have to worry about baking in the hot sun. Winter is actually a great time to have a repair technician come out to your home to inspect your AC so that you can rest assured your unit will be more than ready to take on the heat.
Acting proactively helps save you the stress of finding yourself with an AC repair emergency. Most systems give plenty of signs before they quit, so if you know what those signs are you can take appropriate action. Unsure of what they are? This is a quick overview of some of the most common signs that it is time for AC repair. Commit them to memory so you don’t miss them if your AC system starts to malfunction.
Warm Air Is Coming Out of Your Air Vents
As the weather starts to get warmer you will probably be happy to turn on your AC, but if you notice that warm air is coming out of your vents you may have a problem. The first thing you need to do is make sure that you turned your thermostat to cool and not fan. A lot of people make this mistake initially when they are done heating their homes, but if that isn’t the issue, then you probably are going to need to seek out some help from a trained AC repair technician.
There are several things that could be causing the issue. First of all, it is possible that something is wrong with your compressor and therefore the air is not being cooled. It is possible you have an issue with your ductwork that may be allowing air to be pulled in from a hot space in your home like the attic. It also might mean that your system needs to have its refrigerant refilled. Unfortunately, the refrigerant is something that is heavily regulated and you will need the help of a registered and certified HVAC professional in Charleston NC.
No Airflow at All
On the other hand, if you turn on your air conditioning and air does not come out of your vents at all you have a very different problem. If the flow is weak or you can hardly feel it your system will not be able to cool your home effectively. Usually, this problem is attributed to the air ducts or the compressor, but you will need an HVAC tech to inspect your system and isolate the actual problem.
Odd Odors Are Coming Out of Your Vents
It is normal for an odd smell to waft out of your air ducts the first time your HVAC system kicks in, but the smell should fade away after an hour or two. If you are still noticing foul odors then it is time to call for AC repair. Depending on what you are smelling, odors can actually make you sick. They also might be an indication that something is wrong that may cause a safety issue within your home.
For instance, electrical smells could indicate that something is wrong with the wiring. Sometimes over the winter mice and other rodents will burrow into your system and eat the casing off wires which could be what you are smelling. This can be an emergency system since it can cause a house fire, so if you ever smell electrical burning out of your AC or furnace for that matter you need to shut it down right away until an AC repair tech can get out to your home to investigate.
If the smell is musty, this indicates that mold may be growing in your ductwork or within your actual AC system. This is also an issue since the spores will be blown into the air in your home and everyone in your family will be breathing them in. Mold spores have the ability to make people sick, and those with asthma or a weakened immune system can even have an allergic reaction to the presence of mold. At this point, an air duct cleaning service may be a good idea.
Home Humidity Is High
Ideally, if your Ac is working correctly you will not notice humidity within your home. Charleston, SC is known for its hot and humid summers, but you should be able to escape the sticky air if you hang inside your home. If it seems like you are sweaty or uncomfortable within your home then this is a sign your AC is not working properly. Remember, humidity can lead to mildew and mold growth which as we just discussed is potentially harmful to your family. If the humidity seems to hang in the air regardless of how long the AC is on it is time to call for an HVAC repair appointment.
Odd Noises From Your HVAC System
Your AC should never make odd noises. If you are hearing odd noises this is a sign that you need to call for AC repair. Some noises are more urgent than others, but they are all important to pay attention to. A clicking noise means that something may be in the fan of your outdoor unit while clicking from inside may indicate that there is an electrical issue. A banging sound from outside probably means the fan is off base or something has obstructed it while a squealing noise inside probably means that something is wrong with a fan belt.
These are just a few of the many sounds you may hear coming from your AC. If you hear any other or notice the signs above that you need AC repair it’s time to call Carney & Son 72 Degrees Air Conditioning & Heating in Charleston, SC. A family-owned business, Carney & Son has been helping locals for years and would be happy to get to the bottom of your AC trouble.
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