Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your home feels too hot, and your air conditioner isn’t keeping up? If you’re wondering, “how do you know if your AC is broken?” you’re not alone. 

As the summer heat continues to rise, having a functioning air conditioner is crucial to staying cool and comfortable. 

However, even the most reliable air conditioning unit can break down over time, resulting in a lack of cool air and higher energy bills. 

According to a credible source, the demand for HVAC equipment (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) in the United States has crossed by 20.4 billion, which will increase even more.

That’s why it’s essential to recognize the signs your air conditioner needs repair before it’s too late. 

In this article, we’ll explore these signs and provide helpful tips on preventing costly repairs and replacements.

So, let’s dig…

Should I Repair or Replace the AC?

HVAC, a complex electro-mechanical system, needs proper maintenance and repair at the start of every summer and winter.

So, whether you have a residential HVAC system for your home or installed it in your office, one session with an expert HVAC tech is mandatory for its total potential working capacity and prolonged life.

However, some signs indicate scheduling a session with an HVAC tech immediately instead of waiting a year to check up on your HVAC system.

Yes, we are talking about the emergency and critical indications that can not only cost you thousands of dollars if not managed immediately but can make you replace a whole HVAC system.

Therefore, let’s look at some of the critical signs you need HVAC repair so you contact the HVAC tech immediately!

10 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

1. Continuous Loud Noise

Apart from the noises when turning on and shutting off the AC, if your system, whether an indoor component or outdoor compressor, is making loud and irregular noises, then this may be an indication of breaking and stuck of the minor component that is causing problems in running of your AC.

For example, a continuous clicking sound is due to obstruction in the fans of a compressor, a bubbling sound is usually due to water or refrigerant leakage, and a high-pitched hissing sound is due to high pressure in the compressor.

2. Frequent Fan Cycles 

Ideally, the AC fan cycle should range between 15 to 20 minutes, occurring 2 to 3 times an hour. However, the limit can fluctuate according to the weather.

However, suppose you notice that the cycle time is exceeding 20 minutes or getting less than 10 minutes, or the cycles are occurring significantly less frequently, although the set temperature point is not acquired. 

In that case, it is time to give a call to the HVAC technician as this may be a sign of malfunction of the fan’s motor or thermostat.

3. Increased Air Pollution

Besides managing the temperature, AC works on the room’s humidity level, filtering the air, and removing dust, germs, and contaminated particles.

But experience increased dust and environmental contamination, although your AC is working correctly and regularly. 

The reason may be that a lot of dust and contaminated particles have been stored on filters, and air can’t flow, or you might have leakage in the duct system.

4. Water Leakage

Your AC systems mainly work on two types of refrigerants, R-22 (Freon) and R-410 (Puron). And these refrigerants are poisonous and should not leak or accumulate in your home.

But if you notice water leakage anywhere near your AC indoor and outdoor components, call the technicians immediately, as water leakage can indicate troubles with your cooling system and obstruction or damage to the drain line. 

Also, due to leakage of refrigerant leading to its low availability in the system, your AC won’t cool the air effectively, although your AC will keep working and using electricity.

5. Unpleasant Odours

Another sign your air conditioner needs repair is a burning smell from your AC unit. This may be due to the burning of your fan’s motor, the burning of the thermostat, or a problem with the electric system. 

Also, this bad odor can lead to short circuits or the burning of wires in the system.

Similarly, if a bad odor comes from the system, this may be a sign of mold or pest infestation in the AC. 

And if not treated right, the spores and eggs of the mold and pests will circulate in your air and can cause serious health issues for you and your loved ones.

6. Unmaintained Temperature

If you are having uneven cooling or warming of the air or your fans do not stop working even when you have reached the desired temperature set point, the thermostats are the first to consider.

First, check the batteries and then call an HVAC tech to repair or replace the faulty thermostat, as maintaining the right temperature according to your set points is the responsibility of the thermostat.

7. Blowing Warm Air Only

Even if your AC is set on cooling temperature and blowing warm air only after functioning for hours, there might be multiple reasons behind it.

Firstly, your AC system might be low on a refrigerant level, so the air is not cooling, and the atmosphere’s heat makes the air warm. 

Secondly, the airflow is restricted due to clogged air filters, ducts, and drains. Lastly, the issue might be with the compressor or the ducts leaking.

8. High Indoor Humidity Levels

Along with cooling, AC also manages the humidity levels in the air to restrict the growth of bacteria, germs, fungi, and contaminated particles.

However, if the humidity levels of your room, which should be between 30 to 50, are quite increased while your AC is working fine, give a call to the HVAC tech.

Consequently, clogged air filters, problems in the furnace fans, and obstruction in the pipelines and ducts can be the reason. 

If the humid levels are not managed effectively, they can lead to eye and sinus infections in you and your family.

9. Frequent Tripped Breakers

If your AC suddenly shuts down in the middle of working, after turning off, or your circuit breakers are frequently tripping in recent days. 

In that case, this may indicate a severe mail functionality in the electric system of the AC, and you should get it repaired before using it again.

Also, your AC might be overworking, and its major components, like fans or motor, are heating up. Also, problems in the current supply or defective capacitors can often lead to breaker tripping.

10. Skyrocketing Electricity Bills

If you have noticed a significant rise in your electricity bills even though your AC usage remains the same, it’s better to have your HVAC system checked to prevent further increases in your power bills.

The reasons associated with the AC and high electricity bills can be low refrigerant levels, over-working of the unit, low efficiency, problems with thermostats, burned motor and fans, clogged air filters, obstructions in ducts, and many more.

Find HVAC Contractor For AC Repair

AC is one of the most complex and expensive systems in the residential and commercial sectors. 

And so their repair, maintenance, and replacements. But the benefits humankind are having from them are worth every effort and penny.

However, make sure that you have regular checks on your AC to avoid malfunctioning and less efficient functionality and avoid decreasing its life span for the sake of small broken and damaged components.

If you notice any signs that your AC needs repair, as mentioned above, such as strange loud noises, weak airflow, unusual odors, and others, it’s essential to have it serviced promptly by HVAC technicians. 

Ignoring these symptoms or attempting to fix the problem on your own may result in subpar repairs and future complications. 

Therefore, prioritize the quality of your AC repair and maintenance by contacting professional technicians immediately to avoid expensive repairs and significant replacements.