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Look Out for Signs That an AC Needs Preseason Work

Posted on May 12, 2021 by

Signs That an AC Needs Repairs Before the Summer

In the comfortable spring weather, summer may seem too far away to worry about. However, warmer temperatures will be descending on the Winston-Salem area soon. Before long, people will fire up their air conditioners to find relief from the heat and humidity. 

Too often, homeowners wait until the hot season to schedule AC repair and seasonal maintenance. This is unfortunate because the best time to plan for the future is right now before an air conditioner problem becomes an emergency. After sitting idle all winter long, an air conditioner may need repairs before it gets turned on. These local AC repair technicians share signs that an AC needs repairs before it gets too hot to handle. 

Hot Air Blowinghot at home

The most obvious sign that an air conditioner needs attention is that it fails to keep the home cool. An air conditioner that doesn’t keep up will show signs as diverse as:

  • Dusty air
  • Warm, clammy feeling
  • High humidity
  • Expensive cooling bills

Not only are all of these a problem, likely everyone in the house will be miserable. With a little prior planning or, at the very least, quick action, one can prevent this predicament with early-season air conditioner maintenance or repairs. 

Leaks

Leaks in an air conditioner can come from three primary sources:

  • Water: Water leaks result from clogged drain lines intended to drain the excess humidity removed from the air. Water leaks can cause the system to shut down, and they can damage surrounding carpets or walls. Repairing this problem is simple, but it is best prevented with easy, preseason AC maintenance. 
  • Air: Air leaks happen around seams in the ductwork. Leaky ductwork can be the source of inefficiencies responsible for up to 15% of the cost of cooling bills. Early season AC repair can find leaky ducts and seal them up so the unit will cost less to run in the summer. 
  • Refrigerant: Refrigerant leaks are an all too common problem in an air conditioner. Most of the time, a homeowner will only know about them because there is insufficient cooling power within the air conditioner. Other signs are frozen indoor coils and oily spots around the internal piping of the air conditioner. 

 

New or Unusual Noisesnoises

Sometimes air conditioner problems aren’t apparent from the senses of sight and touch. Sometimes the best indicator that an air conditioner needs help is the sound it makes. Air conditioners are complex machines with lots of moving parts. Whether it is from age, lack of maintenance, or general wear and tear, an AC will eventually need mechanical repairs. 

The sounds that an air conditioner that needs mechanical repairs can make may be:

  • Squealing belts that are loose or worn
  • Grinding bearings in motors or blower wheels
  • Humming of electrical problems
  • Creaking or popping of expanding or contractor ductwork

Regardless of the source of the noise, a homeowner should have a professional check it out immediately before it can cause other problems. 

About Blaze Air

Blaze Air provides exceptional service to homeowners in Winston-Salem, NC. Financing options are available to fit every budget. For emergencies, they offer the same great rate after hours. Call now for expert AC services!

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