Like any piece of complicated machinery, your air conditioner requires regular maintenance if it’s going to work properly. Unfortunately, many homeowners only call an HVAC contractor when their air conditioners break down. Waiting until things get to that point will only leave you with a massive repair bill or an uncomfortably hot and humid house if your AC can’t be fixed. Regular maintenance can prevent small problems from becoming big problems, keeping you cool and comfortable all summer long.
In other words, your air conditioner needs regular maintenance, but you need to know when to call an HVAC contractor to schedule that AC maintenance. Here are some signs that will tell you when that time has come.
1. It’s Been a Year Since Your Last Tune-Up
Aside from replacing your air filters and wiping dust from your vents, the most common AC maintenance you’ll need is a regular tune-up. During a tune-up, an HVAC technician will replenish refrigerant levels, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving parts, calibrate your thermostat, and do anything else required to keep your air conditioner working properly for another year. You should schedule at least one AC tune-up every year, preferably in the early spring before you are likely to rely on your air conditioner to keep cool all the time.
2. Your Thermostat Seems to be Incorrect
Your thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. It senses the temperature in your home and cycles your air conditioner to turn on or off to maintain your desired temperature setting. If you have your thermostat set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the recommended setting during the summer according to most experts, your air conditioner will turn on when your home is warmer than that and shut off once your home is cool enough. If your thermostat isn’t properly calibrated, your air conditioner might cycle on and off needlessly and may fail to keep your home at the desired temperature, resulting in discomfort and wasted energy.
An inaccurate thermostat doesn’t technically mean something is wrong with your air conditioner. Still, if it always feels like your thermostat readings are inaccurate, a technician can quickly and efficiently recalibrate it to ensure accuracy and greater effectiveness.
3. Your Air Conditioner Short-Cycles
Short cycling is when your air conditioner frequently turns itself off and on. This can be caused by an improperly calibrated thermostat, but it can also be a sign that your air conditioner needs repairs. Not only is it very annoying to have an air conditioner that constantly turns itself on and off, but it wastes energy, raises your electricity bills, and shortens the lifespan of your air conditioner. If it keeps happening even when you calibrate your thermostat, your system may need maintenance or AC repairs.
4. Your Air Conditioner Blows Warm Air
Your air conditioner might be blowing warm air for several reasons, most of which can be fixed with some maintenance. The problem could be caused by an inaccurate thermostat that puts your HVAC system into heating mode when it shouldn’t, or it could be caused by a dirty air filter. Air filters remove dust and debris from the air in your home, and they can impede airflow when they get too dirty. This can make it feel like your air conditioner is blowing warm air. If this is the case, simply replacing the filter should fix your problem. A recalibration should fix any thermostat-related issues as well.
Dirty evaporator coils can also cause your air conditioner to blow warm air. The evaporator coils draw out the heat from warm air, cooling and recirculating it throughout your home. Your coils can’t do this if they’re too dirty, so they need to be cleaned regularly.
Finally, your AC may blow warm air if your refrigerant levels are low. This happens sometimes if there is a refrigerant leak in your AC system. An HVAC technician will check your refrigerant levels and replenish them during a standard tune-up, but a leak can still happen even if you stay on top of your regular maintenance schedule.
5. People in Your Home Are Frequently Sick
A malfunctioning air conditioner can increase indoor air pollution, which can cause all kinds of respiratory issues, especially for those with allergies. If this has been a problem even if you keep a clean house and regularly replace your air filters, your AC may need some maintenance. If an HVAC tune-up still doesn’t solve the problem, consider testing your indoor air quality or investing in an air purifier. Not only will this improve the air quality in your home, but it will make your air conditioner’s job easier. It will work more efficiently, require fewer repairs, and last longer overall.
6. Poor Airflow
Poor airflow from your air conditioner is sometimes difficult to detect. You might feel cold air blowing from your unit or your vents when you’re standing right in front of them only to feel warm when you walk away. If this is the case, your AC may need an HVAC maintenance call. The technician can check to ensure a fresh filter is in position and that all components of the AC unit are functioning as expected, making any necessary adjustments to ensure your comfort.
7. Bad Smells
Your air conditioner can be the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria due to the presence of moisture. This is why keeping it clean and scheduling regular tune-ups are so essential. If you detect a musty or moldy smell whenever you turn on your AC, it is likely due for cleaning, especially if people in your home are frequently sick or have serious allergy symptoms.
Insects and small rodents can also access your air conditioner or air ducts. If this happens and they die, they can leave behind a putrid stench that can spread throughout your home.
Your air conditioner shouldn’t emit any smells. If it does, something is wrong that needs to be addressed.
Call Pure Plumbing & Air for Your AC Maintenance Needs
Regardless of any HVAC-related issues you have, your air conditioner requires regular maintenance to keep working properly. If you notice any of these signs or it’s been more than a year since your last AC tune-up, Pure Plumbing & Air will be happy to assist you with our comprehensive cooling services team. Our technicians have over 100 years of combined HVAC experience, and they know exactly what it takes to keep an air conditioner running smoothly. All our staff members receive ongoing training to stay on top of the latest repair and maintenance techniques, and they are available 24/7 when you need emergency repairs instead of a standard air conditioner tune-up. Our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau also reflects our dedication to our customers and our commitment to excellent service.
Whether you need to schedule an air conditioner tune-up or any other HVAC repair or installation services, Pure Plumbing & Air is there for you. Call us today at our Las Vegas, NV office for more information about our services.
