With the high temperatures of summer on their way here in Oregon, it pays to give your air conditioning system a close look. Chances are, you’re already running it on warm days, and high temperatures are only going to get worse as April turns to May. If your system needs repairs, now is the time to discover them. That lets you schedule a repair service before the issue gets any worse and prevents any possible breakdowns in the heat of summer when you can ill-afford to lose your air conditioner for even one day.
Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs a Repair
We recommend regular maintenance services every spring to give a technician a chance to look your system over, but spotting the signs of trouble shouldn’t be limited to a maintenance call. While only a trained service provider can properly diagnose and fix any lingering problems, homeowners can do themselves a big favor by looking for any signs that the system isn’t functioning as it should. Signs that you need air conditioning repair can include anything and everything that doesn’t correspond to the normal functioning of the system. More specifically, look for any of the following issues.
- Odd Noises. Odd noises translate to anything out of the ordinary: hums, groans, clangs, shudders and the like. In most cases, the noises will start and stop with the starting and stopping of the system itself, and will likely be localized at the source of the problem. That can sometimes include unusual locations. For instance, a breach in the ducts may create whistling or groaning noises from the crawlspace of your home.
- Low Cooling Levels. Most people can tell there’s a problem when they turn their air conditioner on and only warm air comes out. But problems can also be signaled by air that is cool, yet warmer than it should be. Possible culprits can include low refrigerant levels, overheating components, or leaks in the duct pulling warm air into the system.
- Low Air Flow. Similarly, air that doesn’t flow out of your system with the speed you expect is usually the sign of a problem. It forces your air conditioner to work harder than it should and increases strain on the system as a whole. Low air flow coming out of one vent usually means a problem in the ducts, while low airflow throughout the entire system likely means a problem in the air conditioner itself, such as a broken fan motor.
- Higher Bills. Sometimes, there doesn’t need to be anything specifically wrong with the system to prompt repairs. Overtaxed components can lead to wasted energy, which in turn leads to unexpected spikes in your monthly cooling bill. If you spot an unexpectedly high bill, especially if you haven’t used the system any more often than you normally would, it’s usually a sign of trouble.
If you detect any of these signs, turn your system off immediately and call for a repair service. For quality air conditioning repair services in Portland, OR, call on the friendly professionals at Western Heating & Cooling