Signs You Need to Call a Professional HVAC Contractor to Inspect Your AC in Callaway, FL

The Florida Panhandle, like many other areas around the country, is suffering from another intense heatwave.

When temperatures reach the high 90s and remain there for an extended period, the need for functioning air conditioners is obvious. Most Callaway homeowners have AC units, but not all of them can tell when there’s something wrong with them.

It can be tricky to detect signals that your AC is having problems, or worse, might be about to fail. In today’s post, we’ll explain a few of the signs that you need to get an AC inspection from a professional HVAC contractor.

The last thing you want is to have your AC unit go down when you need it most. Keep reading and you’ll be able to pay attention to the signs so you can fix them and keep your unit running this summer.

7 Signs You Need AC Repair

1. AC is Blowing Warm Air

If you turn your air conditioner on and warm air is blowing from your vents instead of cool air, that’s obviously a problem. The first thing to check here is your thermostat to make sure it’s programmed correctly, but this could be a number of issues.

The most likely culprits – if your thermostat looks normal – are compressor failure and refrigerant leak. Neither of these things can be dealt with in a DIY manner, so the best move when you feel warm air from the vents is to contact a professional for emergency HVAC service.

2. Weak Airflow From Your AC

Another common problem that homeowners have is weak airflow from the vents. With this issue, you may notice that the air coming from the vents is cool, but there’s just not enough of it coming out to actually cool your home.

If you’re lucky, you can fix this by switching the air filter. Your AC filter does exactly what it sounds like – it filters out allergens and contaminants from the air. Over time, they become clogged and make it harder for your air conditioner to push clean air through the vents.

When you get to the point that you’re getting weak airflow, it means you’ve neglected the air filter for a while. Doing so can put unnecessary wear and tear on your unit. Air conditioning tune-ups can help reverse whatever damage was done.

3. Higher Energy Bill

If you pay attention to your bills, you can detect air conditioner problems relatively quickly. When your bills go up, it means your AC unit is working harder than it should. Again, this could be due to something as simple as a clogged air filter, but it could also be something more severe.

Many homeowners use automatic payments to deal with their utilities. Don’t forget to look at your bills every now and then to make sure they’re consistent with your activity. Seasonal HVAC maintenance and regular inspections can keep your unit working at a high level, which also keeps money in your pocket.

4. AC Unit Is Short-Cycling

When you turn it on, your air conditioner runs in “cycles”. A functioning AC unit should run continuously in a single cycle until it hits the desired temperature, then turn off. If it turns on and off repeatedly before reaching the correct temperature, the unit is “short-cycling”.

This often happens when an AC unit is oversized, but it could also be a lack of refrigerant in the air conditioner or compressor. To know for sure, you need a professional to inspect the unit for you.

When you install a new AC unit, bigger isn’t better. Your installer should come and inspect your home before telling you what kind and size of air conditioner you need. An oversized unit will result in the aforementioned short-cycling, while an undersized one will struggle to cool your home.

5. AC is Making Strange Noises

Using your senses will often tell you if you need an HVAC inspection. When your unit makes a lot of noise, whether it be scraping, clanging, or squealing, it signals a mechanical issue of some kind.

Squealing, for example, usually means something needs more lubrication. A banging noise might mean that you’ve got an issue with the motor or a loose part. It’s not safe to open up your AC unit and inspect it without experience, so search, “AC repair Callaway” and get a professional on the case.

6. AC Smells Like Burning

Perhaps a more pressing cause for concern is a burning smell coming from your air conditioner. This should not be ignored and you should stop using the unit immediately if it occurs. Burning smells often indicate a burnt wire in the unit, but you can’t rule out anything more serious without a professional’s opinion.

When you smell something musty upon firing up your AC, it’s likely that you’ve got mold in your ducts. This is a major issue, as mold can seriously affect your indoor air quality. Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, so poor indoor air quality that causes allergies and respiratory issues is not an option.

Furthermore, mold in your ducts means that there’s an excess of moisture somewhere, which could also mean leaking somewhere in your AC system. Get an HVAC specialist to come and inspect the unit and tell you if there are any troublesome leaks that you need to deal with.

7. AC Unit Is Old

An AC unit, when treated well, can last 15-20 years or more. If you know that your AC unit is on the limit of its lifespan – or you have no clue how old it is – you’ll need more frequent inspections.

As with anything mechanical, air conditioners experience wear and tear while in use. Eventually, you’ll need to replace it, but you won’t know for sure unless an HVAC professional tells you.

Contact All American A/C for AC Inspection or AC Repair in Panama City, FL

These issues will tell you that it’s time for an AC inspection, but in truth, you don’t need an issue to indicate the need for one. You should be getting seasonal HVAC maintenance and regular air conditioning tune-ups to keep your AC working well during these heat waves.

It’s never too late to start taking better care of your AC unit. Since 1996, All American AC Inc. has been helping Callaway residents keep their air conditioners in tip-top shape. To schedule your AC inspection, contact us today.