Although the warmer weather and sunshine might boost your mood, when the heat hits peak temperatures, it can quickly become uncomfortable, especially as you’re going about your daily tasks. You might find yourself feeling relieved when you walk into a building and get hit by that blast of refreshing cold air and even more grateful when you get home to experience this after a long day. Not only can this make your home feel more comfortable, but you might also find that you sleep better at night as these higher temperatures outside aren’t disrupting your sleep.
Yes, air conditioning can certainly be a lifesaver in the height of the summer, but when it breaks, it can throw your home into chaos. This is why basic maintenance work does need to be carried out to keep your air conditioning systems in good condition, but you should also look out for the signs that something could be wrong. Below are some examples of clear indications that your air conditioner needs attention.
Strange Noises
When you turn your air conditioner on or off, you may notice it makes some noise, but once it gets going, there should only be a continuous low-level hum, if anything. Therefore, if you start to hear strange noises while your air conditioner is on throughout the day, particularly loud bangs, clicks, or anything that sounds like it might be straining, it’s time to call in the experts to take a look at it. A specialized engineer will be able to investigate the problem and hopefully repair it for you. At the very least, they can let you know if your air conditioner needs replacing with a new, modern unit. You should be able to find experts in heating and air conditioning locally or contact the company that installed your unit if you still have these details.
The Air Conditioner is Leaking
There might be some condensation expected when your air conditioner is in use, and it does use refrigerant to help cool the air as part of the process. This might be cause for some moisture around your air conditioner, but if you are starting to notice significant pooling or dripping, then this is a cause for concern. It might be that a part of the inner workings of your unit needs tightening or perhaps an indication of more significant damage – either way, it’s worth having your unit looked at before it gets worse. Not only could your air conditioner break down completely, but there is the potential for water damage in the surrounding area or perhaps even electrical hazards if the leaks affect any wiring in your home.
It’s Blowing Out Warm Air
A lot of units allow you to control the temperature that the air comes out at, but remember that this is a device that is supposed to keep your home cooler, not warm it up. If you do notice that your air conditioner is blowing out warm or hot air, even after you reset it to the right temperature, something isn’t right. This can often happen if the unit is simply very old and needs replacing. It could also be that the airflow is limited or there is something wrong with the compressor.
Having warm air flowing through the house on a hot day is the last thing you need, but if you do ever find yourself in this unfortunate position, there are some other ways you can try to stay cool until your air conditioner is fixed.
Foul Smells
Bad smells in the house are terrible no matter what, but when it’s hot outside, it can make this even worse. Of course, various issues could cause this problem, such as pest infestation, expired groceries, or even problems with the sewers or septic tanks on the property. If none of the above seem to be causing this problem, though, you might discover that the foul odors are coming from your air conditioning unit. Bacteria is everywhere, and over time, this can build up in your air conditioner and eventually emulate nasty odors as a result. It’s likely your unit just needs a deep clean to get rid of microbes that have developed in these spaces so fresher air can come through without a pungent scent.
While there are other indications that your air conditioner might need some repair work or replacement, these are some of the primary signs to watch out for. If you do experience any of the above, call experts to come and investigate to make sure the job is done properly and safely.
