If you’re a regular reader, and I hope you are, you know how important I believe regular service and maintenance is for the health of the air conditioning in your Waterford, MI or Oxford, MI home. For the moment, let’s assume my warnings have fallen on deaf ears and you have not had A/C service performed recently. Then you need to know some of the warning signs indicating that you have a problem. NOTE: Even if you have had regular maintenance, you should pay attention to this list because problems can still happen.
AIR COMING OUT OF THE VENTS ISN’T COLD
When the airflow isn’t as cold as it should be, or as cold as you remember in the past, it means your air conditioning is working overtime just to keep the house comfortable. Some of the causes include:
- Low refrigerant level which indicates a leak that has to be fixed
- Problems with the evaporator coil or compressor
- Leaking ductwork
REDUCED AIRFLOW VOLUME
Even if the air is cold your Waterford, MI or Oxford, MI home won’t be comfortable if there isn’t enough air coming out of the vents. Here are some factors that can have an impact on airflow volume:
- A bad blower motor meaning the fan isn’t moving as much air
- A faulty fan control board
- Dirty air filter
MOISTURE OR WATER IN THE WRONG PLACES
An air conditioning system is designed to remain dry at all times. The only water should be the condensate removed from the air to lower humidity. That water should be drained away to keep the unit dry. If you notice water, it’s likely because of a leak or problem in the condensate drain. Immediate attention is required to prevent unhealthy mold and mildew.
WHERE IS THAT SOUND COMING FROM?
Modern air conditioners are designed to run quietly. If you notice any louder than normal sounds it likely means a problem requiring AC service to prevent further damage. Examples include:
- Mechanical grinding sounds
- A banging noise
- High pitched squealing
UNUSUAL OR UNPLEASANT ODORS
The smells can include a foul rotten odor possibly coming from a pest that got into the system and died. A burning smell often caused by a short circuit that burns the insulation on electric wires. The smell of mold or mildew which we talked about above but can also be caused by moisture causing mold in the ductwork.
UTILITY BILLS SPIKE HIGHER
You already know the air conditioning in your Waterford, MI or Oxford, MI home uses a lot of energy. The concern should come if you notice an unexplained spike in your monthly bills. It can happen from one year to the next or even from month-to- month. When you see this happen it’s a good sign you are in need of AC service.
PROCRASTINATION ONLY MAKES THINGS WORSE
When you notice any of these warning signs coming from your air conditioning system don’t ignore them. The underlying problems are only going to get worse and, in all likelihood, more expensive to fix. Call Kotz Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing to schedule your AC service so you’re not dealing with a hot house during these dog days of summer. To learn more about the services offered by Kotz, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
