10 Reasons Why It’s Time for an AC Tune-Up

If your air conditioner is no longer keeping you cool and comfortable, something is wrong. That is why you should plan frequent AC tune-ups to guarantee that your AC is always running well and to avoid costly repairs and replacements.

You ought to consider calling in an HVAC professional from a reputable company like Direct Air  to have your AC tuned up before things get worse:

When your AC system is more than 10 years old

The average lifespan of an AC unit is about 15 years. However, this doesn’t mean your unit will reach this age without some problems. If your AC system is more than 10 years old, it’s time for a tune-up.

At this point, your AC is most likely inefficient, and the parts are wearing out. It may be time for a new one. This is true even if your system is working well at the moment. By having your AC unit tuned up regularly, you can help ensure that it will work properly when you need it most

When your energy bills have suddenly increased

A common sign that you need AC tune-up is if you notice an increase in your utility bills. Utility bills fluctuate with the seasons and weather. However, it should be a call for concern if your utility bills are getting higher and higher without any increase in usage activity.

An old air conditioner may be forced to work harder and draw more energy than usual to cool your home. A tune-up can help return it to its best efficiency level, helping save energy and reducing the utility bill.

Your AC unit keeps cycling on and off

Another common problem homeowners complain about is that the air conditioning system cycles on and off too often. If your unit is going through cycles continuously, then you need to call for service from a professional immediately.

The problem may be something simple like a bad thermostat or a malfunctioning circuit breaker. Or, it could mean that you have a faulty compressor. Regardless of the cause, this problem can be frustrating and lead to higher energy bills.

You’ve noticed a decline in air quality inside your home

If you’re starting to feel congested, have a sore throat, or are experiencing allergies for no apparent reason, it could be because of the air quality in your home. Dirty filters can negatively affect indoor air quality and reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system at the same time.

When you have an AC tune-up, technicians will clean out all parts of your system to improve its performance. This will ensure that there is adequate airflow and quality indoor air.

When there’s a foul odor coming from the vents

If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your HVAC system, that’s a sign that it’s long overdue for maintenance. The smell could be due to dirty ductwork or mold growing on the inside of your air conditioner or furnace.

If not dealt with in good time, foul odor from your AC system can pose serious health risks and make people sick. If you’re starting to notice an odor coming from your system, schedule service immediately.

You haven’t scheduled the service in over a year

AC tune-ups and filter changes should be scheduled annually, usually in the fall. It is highly advisable to hire a trained technician to perform these tasks rather than DIY.

A reputable HVAC professional will thoroughly inspect your AC and uncover any problems before they manifest. They will also advise you on any signs to watch out for that can indicate an issue with your AC system.

Your AC unit is making strange sounds

Your AC unit should run fairly quietly in most cases. However, if you’ve begun to notice strange clanging, banging, or squealing noises coming from the unit, you need to schedule your AC for a tune-up. In some cases, it could be a minor problem that can only be repaired by having your unit cleaned and lubricated by a professional HVAC company.

A squeaking noise is usually caused by a loose or worn fan belt, while grinding sounds typically indicate that the bearings in the motor are failing. These issues can cause further damage to your system if not repaired quickly enough.

Your home has very high humidity levels

An air conditioner is designed to help control the humidity level in your room automatically. Very high humidity levels can make your room uncomfortable. This happens when there is an issue with the evaporator coil hindering it from cooling the air effectively. That is why you need to fine-tune your AC to ensure that the evaporator coils are in optimal working condition.

Your thermostat doesn’t seem to be working properly

Your thermostat is the control center for your entire air conditioning system. If it isn’t working correctly, then your air conditioner won’t either. If you notice that the temperature doesn’t ever seem to be set correctly, or if you turn it up and it gets warmer but doesn’t cool off, then there could be a problem with your thermostat.

Besides, a maintenance tip for an AC is to invest in a smart thermostat, which is a digital version of the traditional analog model. The former can help you save money and energy by regulating the temperature in your home when you’re away and adjusting it automatically when you’re home.

There is water pooling around your air conditioner

If you have a leak in your system, it will likely appear as a continuous drip sound originating from under or below your unit. This indicates that there is a leak somewhere in the system, most likely at an old or defective connection.

If you hear this sound, the first thing you should do is look for any obvious source of leaks. Look for signs of wear on the exterior of your unit, like dents or scrapes on the fins. Also, check underneath your unit for any air leaks around connections and at the base where it connects to its electrical supply. Leaks can be caused by corroded connections and bad seals around hoses and connections.

The bottom line

Don’t wait until your AC system stops working altogether to get it repaired. Regular tune-ups can spare you the cost and hassle of a complete AC replacement.

Scheduling annual tune-ups with reputable companies around, such as Direct Air rather than a DIY, is just one of the ways you can ensure your AC system keeps running efficiently throughout the end of summer.