While you’re enjoying the mild weather in spring with the windows open, it’s easy to forget that the summer is right around the corner. A hot summer’s day is the worst time to find out that your air conditioner is on the fritz.
Luckily there are early warning signs that you need air conditioning repair, and if you catch these in time, you can be sure to stay cool all summer long.
Here are some telltale signs that your A/C is struggling to cool your home.
Look at Your Energy Bill
Keep an eye on your energy bill, and take note of any changes. If you are running your air conditioner the same as you always do, but your bill increases each month, it could be a bad sign.
Before you panic, check your energy company costs to see if they raised your rates. If not, you should have your air conditioning unit checked to make sure it’s running the way it should. The older your unit is, the less efficient it is, so if it’s over 10 years old, have it checked.
The Humidity
If your air conditioning unit is running at its best, the humidity in your home should stay less than 50 percent. So, if the humidity feels high in your house, your air conditioning unit could be to blame.
To check the humidity in your home, get a humidity meter, and set it inside the room you are checking. There are also ways to check the humidity yourself if a humidity meter isn’t in your budget right now. The perfect humidity inside should be between 30 and 50 percent. Too much humidity in your home can cause mold and make you sick, and too little humidity can affect your breathing and dry your skin.
The best thing to do if your humidity is out of range is to hire a repair company to look at your A/C unit.
Warm Air Instead of Cool
This tip might seem obvious, but if your air condition vents are in your vaulted ceiling, you might not know warm air is coming through them. But if you set your thermostat to a certain temperature and your unit never seems to hit the mark, it’s time to check your vents.
If you can get to your vents, see if they are blowing warm air instead of cool air. But if you can’t get up to your vents and your house will not cool down, make an appointment to have your unit checked.
What’s That Smell?
Running your air conditioning unit should not produce a smell, so if your unit kicks on and you smell something bad, call for a repair right away.
A foul smell coming from your air conditioner could mean a build-up of bacteria or mold inside your unit. It could also mean there is a leak, an electrical problem, or a trapped animal, and you need a professional to make sure your A/C is safe to run.
Don’t Get Stuck in the Heat
Depending on where you live, your air conditioner could be a lifesaver. It certainly makes life a bit more comfortable in the summer heat and is a nice break from the sun’s hot rays. But the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to stop working on the hottest day of the year, especially if you have kids or animals to care for.
Instead of waiting until your air conditioner stops working, keep an eye out for these signs to catch it before it breaks. Staying on top of your air conditioning maintenance can save you the headache of an emergency call. So, note any suspicious issues, and call for help before it becomes a problem.