Let’s say you’ve just come back indoors after spending a warm day outside enjoying time with your family. You’re probably looking forward to settling down on the couch, or even around the dining room table with your loved ones, only to realize that it doesn’t seem to feel as cool as it should be. Then it hits you–your air conditioner isn’t running, even though you programmed the thermostat for it to run.
Or maybe it is running, but it’s either making odd noises or blowing lukewarm air out of the vents. Whatever the case, you know something is wrong, but is it time to call for professional repairs? Well, it is if you notice any of the 5 following signs:
1. You Hear Concerning Sounds
Have you noticed that your cooling system has become quite noisy lately? This may be due to a number of potential problems, such as ductwork damage, a loose component, worn motor bearings, or even something really minor like a loose panel.
But you won’t know how minor or severe the problem is until you give our team a call.
2. You Feel Warm Air Coming from the Vents
If your system seems to be running at “full blast” but the air coming from the vents isn’t cold like it should be, then this is absolutely the sign of a problem. It may be something relatively minor, such as a miscalibrated thermostat.
Alternatively, this might be the sign of a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the chemical substance that makes the cooling process even possible. Your system is supplied with enough during manufacturing that it should ideally last its entire lifespan. If your system is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak that has to be accurately located and repair.
3. The Air Coming from the Vents is Weak
So maybe the air coming out of your air conditioning vents is cool but it’s not very powerful? This signals an airflow problem, and there are a couple of potential causes. It may be a problem with the blower fan–perhaps the run capacitor that signals the blower fan to start spinning has gone out and needs replacing.
Alternatively, it could be a clogged air filter. Fortunately, this is an easy one for homeowners to fix on their own, YOu should be changing your HVAC air filter every 1-3 months to prevent HVAC damage.
4. The System is Short-Cycling
This is the name given to the process where an air conditioner or forced-air heating system rapidly cycles on and off, without ever completing a fully cooling (or heating) cycle.
5. Your Energy Bills Are Higher Than Average
Yes, this could very well be a sign that your air conditioner isn’t working as efficiently as it should. Your energy bills are going to fluctuate a bit anyway, depending on your energy use. However, they shouldn’t skyrocket this time of the year.
Compare your current bills to your bills this same time last year, and if you can, also compare your bills to what your neighbors are paying. If there’s a significant difference, it’s time to give us a call to see what’s up with your air conditioner.
For professional air conditioning repair in La Puente, CA contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.