5 Signs Your AC Needs Repair

Signs Your Phoenix, AZ Air Conditioner Needs Attention

Are you in tune with your AC for the Phoenix summer? Here are a few tips for knowing when you need air conditioning repair- or replacement.

No cool air

If your air is coming out not cool enough or not cool at all, this could be a symptom of a myriad of issues, ranging from low Freon, to a bad compressor, to an incorrectly sized unit.

Weak airflow is also an indicator of AC issues, as well as if you’re changing the thermostat with seemingly no changes. This could mean your AC and thermostat aren’t properly linked up. If you feel like your thermostat adjustments just aren’t doing what they should in your house, it might not be synced up right with your AC. This can cause wear and tear on your system over time.
 
Additionally, if your house is having issues with inconsistent temperature or hot rooms, it’s worth having an energy audit done to see where these issues are coming from and how to go about fixing them.
 
Unusual smells or sounds

Your AC unit should be free from any strong, unpleasant smells or sounds. 

Common noises to listen for, and what they could mean:

• Clicking. This has three potential causes. The first is the normal click that you hear when the AC starts up. The second is a repeated clicking while the unit is running, which could indicate an obstruction. The third is when the AC is not running at all. This is usually due to an electrical issue.
• Squealing. The belt is worn or misaligned. If you ignore it, the belt may eventually break, leaving you without AC.
• Banging/Knocking. This applies to your outside unit. There may be an obstruction, and it is best to turn it off before more damage occurs, and call a technician.
• Screaming. This sounds pretty frightening…a screaming air conditioner. And the cause could be pretty frightening as well. If you are heating a screaming or hissing sound right as your AC turns on, and it is cycling on and off frequently, this could indicate high pressure. This is potentially dangerous, so it is best to call a professional.
• Bubbling. It could be a mild condensate problem, or it could be a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is toxic and requires a license to handle, so make sure to leave it to a licensed and qualified professional.

Common smells and what they could mean:

• Dirty socks. Yes, it’s pretty gross. When the rest of your house is clean, it can be pretty frustrating to have to experience it. Fortunately, it can be fixed by eliminating the mildew or mold in your system and correcting a condensate drainage problem.
• Rotten eggs. Also unpleasant, this one could be more dangerous. It could indicate a natural gas leak, which is an emergency and requires immediate service. On the other hand, it could be caused by a dead animal, which smells putrid but is harmless as long as you don’t handle it.
• Sewage and skunk smells can also indicate a gas leak.

Generally, if you smell a strange smell, it is always best to get it checked out instead of risking a hazard or a pricier replacement.

Leaks

Your AC unit is meant to remove the unnecessary moisture in your home, so if you notice your home is particularly humid while the AC is running, this means the AC unit is having issues. Many units will drip water as part of its normal functions, so be aware of what’s normal to see and what’s not. Keep a lookout for ice or pools of liquid around your AC unit.

​Pro Tip: Refrigerant is poisonous, so call a professional immediately if you spot a leak. 

Electric bill suddenly shot up 

If your air conditioning is causing your bill to rise out of nowhere, you might want to start some investigating. The problem could be a leaky ductwork system, an aging AC unit, or even thermostat troubles. A good place to start with this issue is to have an energy audit in order to help find the root of your problems.

Old AC unit

The average unit’s lifespan is somewhere in the 10-15 year range. If you are having frequent issues and are continually finding yourself needing to pay for repairs several times a year, it might be worth it to have it replaced altogether. 


​We know it's a pain to have your AC fixed, but it’s even more of a pain to let a bad unit keep causing preventable issues in your home, especially when those issues can turn out to be expensive or dangerous. It is recommended that you call a professional at the first sign of these issues, don’t ignore them, and don’t try to fix anything yourself! 

Time For a Repair?

If you are experiencing any of the things above or any other telltale signs that you need repairs, call Green ID at (602) 926-1650 to schedule a tuneup or repair of your AC system. ​

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