Is your home not staying as cool and comfortable as it used to?
For most homeowners, their heating and cooling system is the last thing on their mind….until it stops working. By then, a small problem has developed into a major expense. The reality is that your system will warn you long before it completely quits.
The good news?
If you know what to look for they’re fairly obvious. Identifying them early can save you tons of cash, aggravation, and sleepless nights.
Neither is heating and cooling your home. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 43% of a utility bill is spent on heating and cooling. So when your central air conditioner begins to fail, it can impact your budget quickly.
That’s why you don’t want to ignore these early warning signs. A simple call to your trusted team. The team your HVAC Lancaster PA friends and family rely on can save you from an expensive repair. Preventing the repair is always less expensive than waiting for the system to break completely.
Here are the warning signs every homeowner should keep an eye on…
Here’s What You’ll Uncover:
- Why Your HVAC System “Talks” Before It Breaks
- The 7 Warning Signs To Watch For
- When It’s Time To Call A Professional
Weak Or Warm Airflow: The First Red Flag
Walk up to a vent and place your hand in front of it. Is the airflow light? Even worse… is it hot?
Poor airflow is definitely among the easiest problems to spot. Your central air conditioning system should be blowing out powerful, consistent gusts of cold air. If your airflow seems weak or the air simply isn’t cold enough, you could be experiencing a failing compressor, low refrigerant or something clogged up somewhere in your system.
Don’t ignore that. Restricted airflow makes everything else work harder than it should and the extra effort takes its toll on expensive components prematurely. If neglected, that inexpensive repair can turn into a completely new system.
Strange Sounds: When Your Unit Starts Talking
If your system is functioning properly it operates quietly and smoothly. When it starts to make new sounds, that is your system screaming for help.
Listen out for sounds like:
- Banging or clanking — usually a loose or broken part rattling around
- Grinding or screeching — often a motor or worn-out bearing problem
- Hissing — this one could mean a refrigerant leak
Just a few squeaks and rattles isn’t something to worry about right? Think again. Those noises will only become louder (and more expensive) the longer you ignore them. The quicker a technician inspects your vehicle, the lower your bill will be.
Bad Smells: A Nose For Trouble
Here’s something most homeowners don’t think about…
Your nose will sense HVAC troubles before anything else. If you smell a dank, musty odor, there’s probably mold or mildew growing inside the system or ductwork. A smell of burning or something electrical is much more serious.
One way or another, foul odors coming from your vents should never be “weathered out.” It almost always requires professional attention, sooner rather than later.
Climbing Energy Bills: The Silent Warning
Have your energy bills crept up for no obvious reason?
If your usage of your central air conditioner hasn’t increased, but your bill has been going up each month, your system is losing efficiency. When your HVAC system gets older or develops issues, it must work harder and longer to perform the same task. You can see that hard work reflected on your monthly bill.
An unexplained spike happens suddenly. It’s a huge hint that something is wrong. Your system is speaking to you. It needs relief before it breaks down.
Short Cycling: When It Can’t Make Up Its Mind
Does your system switch on and off again and again in short, frequent bursts?
It’s called short cycling. This is bad. A properly functioning unit should run in nice long cycles. Short cycling places extreme stress on your system and wastes energy unnecessarily. It also doesn’t allow your home to fully heat or cool off.
There are a few reasons your system could short cycle. Dirty air filters, incorrect thermostat settings, or an undersized system are common causes. A trained technician will quickly identify the cause and get your comfort back before further damage occurs.
Uneven Temperatures: Hot Spots And Cold Spots
Is one room freezing cold while another feels like a sauna?
One sign of improper airflow through your home is inconsistent temperatures between rooms. Leakages in ductwork, a weak central air conditioning system, or inadequate airflow can all be to blame.
Your home should feel comfortable everywhere inside. If you have some rooms that are wonderful and others that are miserable, check your HVAC system.
Old Age: When It’s Simply Time
Even the best-maintained system won’t last forever.
Typically, central air conditioners last about 10-15 years. After that point, repairs become more costly and more common, and efficiency takes a major nose dive. Eventually it just makes more sense to replace than to repair.
Plus you’re not alone in this struggle. Each year in the U.S., $14 billion is spent on HVAC repairs and services, with about three million units installed. If yours is starting to head that direction and acts up frequently, consider having a professional give you their thoughts before it steers you wrong.
Bringing It All Together
Your HVAC system almost never fails without forewarning. It gives you clues — poor airflow, strange noises, weird smells, rising bills — well before it goes kaput.
The key is actually paying attention to them.
To quickly recap, keep an eye out for:
- Weak or warm airflow
- Strange sounds and bad smells
- Rising energy bills
- Short cycling and uneven temperatures
- An aging, unreliable system
Take none of these signs lightly. Catching them early is what separates preventative maintenance from bursting into your house on the hottest day of the year to pay thousands of dollars to get your AC working again. Also keep in mind that small repairs now are almost always less expensive than full blown breakdowns.
If you’re not sure what to do, call in the experts to investigate further. You’ll appreciate it for your comfort — and your wallet.
