Most people can tell their AC is broken when it won’t turn on, but a unit that needs repair may not be that obvious. Here are a few signs you should also watch out for:
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The air isn’t cooling enough. This is easy to tell—it’s pretty obvious when the temperature in the room doesn’t really improve. Not enough cool air going around could mean that your AC’s compressor is busted. That’s a good reason to bring it in for repairs.
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Your thermostat readings are out of this world. The freezing temperature inside the house doesn’t match the numbers, no matter how much you adjust thermostat settings.
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Air flow isn’t so great. Ever experienced being frozen in one section of the room while other people sweat on the opposite side of your spot? If the airflow inside the room is uneven, it could point to a defect in the compressor again. However, another reason could be debris. Without regular and proper maintenance, AC performance is often compromised and derailed by accumulated dust, particles and dirt. In this case, finding the time to schedule your AC for regular maintenance is equally as important as calling for an AC repair and replacement service as soon as you know something’s wrong.
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Errant moisture and leaks. There are often two main reasons for leaks. One, the drain tube—which takes care of the unit’s condensation—could be broken or blocked. This is easily fixed, however, if it’s a refrigerant leak, then you’ve got a serious problem on your hands and should call a professional to deal with it right away.
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Odd sounds. If you often hear a squealing, grinding or grating sound from your unit, that’s a sure sign you need to call in an AC repair and replacement expert sooner rather than later. Sounds could mean that something inside the unit is broken. That or a component could have slipped out of place and needs to reset. Also, it could be that a component merely needs to be oiled. Whatever the case, you’ll only know when you call in the service crew to figure out what the problem is and ask them to fix it.
Because prompt action can keep problems from growing into ever bigger problems, make sure to ask for the right assistance as soon as you see these signs.
