When your air conditioner is in good repair and working as it should, it’s easy to take for granted. Just like anything else in your home, though, your air conditioner is fallible and subject to problems as it ages. The last thing that you want, however, is for a complete breakdown to take you by surprise when the mercury is rising. Keeping an eye out for certain warning signs can help you catch a breakdown before it happens, reducing the amount of time you’ll spend sweltering as your air conditioner repairs or replacement are underway.
No air conditioner will cool your entire home instantly, but one that takes significantly longer to affect a noticeable change on the temperature of yoru home is probably struggling. In some cases, the problem is as simple as a low coolant level; others, pipes could be rusty or corroding, or the entire system needs to be replaced.
If you’ve changed your air filters and the air conditioner is still blowing lukewarm, partially-cooled air or the airflow from your vents is weak, those things can also be signs of trouble. Clogged filters are the most common cause of weak airflow, but a frozen unit, malfunctioning blower fan or other mechanical failure could also be the culprit.
Rather than attempting to diagnose the problem yourself, you should always contact a licensed and experienced HVAC professional in your area to discuss the issue. Some problems with your air conditioner may actually be quick and relatively inexpensive to repair, but all issues will require the attention of a professional. There’s no safe HVAC repair outside of changing an air filter than you can do yourself, and neglecting problems could be even more costly in the long run.
