6 Signs That Your Air Conditioning Unit Needs Repairs

Is your air conditioning unit working the way it should, or does something seem off? Maybe the temperature isn't quite right? Or perhaps your unit is making a strange sound?

Unless you're an expert, it can be hard to know what's normal and what a cause for concern is when it comes to your air conditioning unit. Luckily, there are some pretty clear signs that your unit does need repairs, and you can watch for these warning signs.

If in doubt, it's always best to contact a local air conditioning repair specialist to look over your system. If something is wrong, you'll save money by getting it fixed before the problem escalates.

The first sign is the most obvious. If your home isn't staying cool, even with the system running, then something is probably wrong. However, if parts of your home are staying cool, while others are warm, the issue could lie with your thermostat.

Mention the differences in temperature around your home to your air conditioning repair specialist. If they know about these problems, they will have a place to start.

Air conditioning units should run quietly, so if you're noticing any sound other than a very quiet whirring, there's something wrong. Sounds like scraping, banging, clanging or screeching all suggest that an internal component is either broken, loose or out of place.

Leaving an issue like a broken internal component unattended can mean further damage to other parts as they scrape against each other, so it's really important to arrange repairs ASAP.

Is there a bad smell coming from your air conditioning unit? A musty odor suggests a buildup of mildew, mould and bacteria inside your system, which is then transferred to the air inside your home. Whereas, a rotten smell could be a sign that an animal died after being trapped within your air conditioning unit.

Bad odors from your air conditioner aren't just gross, they're a health risk. Attend to the problem quickly to ensure your family's health isn't compromised.

Almost 90 percent of calls to air conditioner repair specialists are due to leaks. A leaky unit can quickly cause damage to your home, so it's really important to call a specialist the moment you notice a leak, no matter how small.

Leaks can be caused by a filter that's clogged with dirt or debris, or a crack in your overflow drain pan or a blocked condensate line. These issues are easily solved by a professional and can be avoided by arranging regular maintenance on your unit.

Poor air flow from your air conditioning unit is a guarantee that something's wrong. Less serious cases could be caused by low refrigerant levels, dirty coils, blocked vents, clogged filters or a fan that's clogged up with dust.

Noticed a big spike in your energy bill? When your cooling system isn't working properly, it can start to use excessive amounts of power. Compare last season's bill with this season's, and arrange a unit inspection if you notice a dramatic difference. If your energy bill increase is combined with one of the other signs listed above, you can be pretty sure that your air conditioner needs repairs.