Your air conditioner gives you signals when something isn’t okay. Some of them are subtle, but other ones force you to notice them. In any case, they all require air conditioner repair in Shreveport, but it’s still important to know what to look for just in case. Here’s what you need to know. In many cases, this is one of the early warning signs of AC problems, and catching it now can prevent costlier repairs later.
What are the early warning signs you need heating or air conditioning repair?
- Weak or no airflow when you put your hand over vents
- A burning or plastic smell coming from vents (a sign of wiring issues)
- Higher-than-usual indoor humidity (if the AC isn’t removing moisture properly)
- Unexpected spikes in your electricity or utility bills
How to Detect Poor Airflow in Your AC
Put your hand up to the vents. Is the airflow weak when it comes through? Actually, is there any airflow coming through? If you know what it’s supposed to feel like, and right now that feeling is diminished, something is amiss.
What Burning Smells from Your AC Might Mean
Your air conditioner isn’t supposed to make a burning smell. While it shares the same ductwork as your heater, and that dust can burn off when you turn your heater on, your AC shouldn’t be producing the same smell.
Pay attention to the odor. Does it smell like plastic? If it does, that’s a sign that wiring is frying somewhere in your air conditioner. This is a major cause for concern and should be handled immediately.
Signs Your AC Isn’t Controlling Humidity Properly
Your air conditioner helps to pull humidity out of your home, and when it does, it ends up in the condensate drip pan. It’s then fed through a tube and pulled away from your home and the air conditioning cabinet outside. If that drainage system fails, the effects can feel like high humidity causing mold issues, which could compromise comfort and indoor air quality.
When it doesn’t do this job well enough, or if there’s a clog in the drain line that’s preventing water from flowing outside, it doesn’t pull humidity out of the air as effectively. Then your relative humidity level (RH) rises.
When it hits 60%, you have an increased risk of mold growth. But it may keep climbing to the 70% mark, which means it’s only a matter of time before mold grows in the corners of your rooms. This is a big problem and it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.
Rising Energy Bills? Your AC Might Be to Blame]
You know what your electricity bill is supposed to be, so why is it so high this month? When your AC runs into trouble, it still has a job to do, so it will run at lower efficiency and continue trekking until your preferred temperature has been met.
But that’s not good for your air conditioner, and it’s certainly not good for your wallet. It’s operating poorly and applying unnecessary extra wear and tear damage just to run normally. You need repairs before this turns into a full-fledged breakdown.
Do These Signs Ring a Bell?
If anything on this list makes you feel like you should call for repairs, if anything jumps out to you at all about how your AC is currently doing, it’s important to listen. It seems like your air conditioner is still running at the very least, which means whatever problem it’s facing hasn’t caused a full-scale breakdown yet. Recognizing these early warning signs and getting AC repair quickly can prevent costly repairs and help keep your home comfortable. Let’s help you fix this before it becomes a bigger problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are early signs that my AC needs repair?
Answer: Some early warning signs include weak or inconsistent airflow from vents, burning or plastic-like smells, rising indoor humidity, and unexpected spikes in energy bills. If you notice any of those, it may be time for repair.
Question: Why is the airflow from my vents so weak?
Answer: Reduced airflow often indicates a blockage or obstruction, like clogged filters, blocked ducts, or a failing blower motor. It’s a sign that the system isn’t functioning efficiently and should be inspected.
Question: What does a burning smell from the AC indicate?
Answer: A burning or plastic-like odor suggests electrical problems or wiring issues within the air conditioner. It’s a serious symptom that warrants immediate attention to prevent potential fire hazards or further damage.
Question: Why would my AC fail to reduce indoor humidity?
Answer: The AC’s job includes dehumidifying. If the condensate drain is clogged or malfunctioning, or coils are dirty, the system can’t remove moisture effectively. As a result, humidity rises, making indoor air feel sticky or damp.
Question: How can a sudden increase in my electricity bill reveal an AC problem?
Answer: When the AC starts working harder to maintain cooling, due to inefficiencies or component faults, it consumes more power. That inefficiency shows up as a spike in your utility bill, even if indoor comfort seems unchanged.
Moon’s Air has provided whole-home comfort since 1971. Call us for service today—it’s good to be Mooned!
