Is it Time to Repair Your AC? Here are The Top Signs to Look For

We’re really feeling the heat here in Sacramento. Imagine if your AC suddenly stopped working right in the middle of summer. How frustrating would that be? Unfortunately, this is the reality for many homeowners and something we see often. For many homeowners, it’s easy to let small air conditioner problems go until they turn into big, often expensive problems. When it comes to HVAC maintenance, we believe an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. If you’re wondering “is it time to repair my AC,” here are some of the top things to watch for.

Unexpected Rise in Utility Bills

We all know utility bills can go up during summer, that’s just part of dealing with Central California heat. What should be worrisome is if your bills go sky high. It’s true that HVAC bills are usually hefty, they account for nearly half of a typical home’s utility bills; but if you see a sudden spike, that’s usually cause for concern. A faulty or malfunctioning air conditioner will often have to work two or three times as hard to produce the same amount of air—thus causing a larger than average bill. If you notice an unexpected rise in your utility bills, it’s time to call an HVAC tech to ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible.

Poor Air Flow

Do you turn on your AC and feel like it’s not as cold as it was before? This could be traced to poor air flow. Another sign of poor air flow is if you feel sudden warm or cold spots throughout your home. If you think you’re experiencing poor air flow, the answer could be simple or complicated, it all depends on your system. For some homeowners, their air flow issue can be fixed by changing the air filter. For others, they may need to replace their entire fan or blower motor.

Too Much Warm Air

At the most basic level, a home’s air conditioner should make air cool. If you’re feeling warm air coming from the vents, the first stop should be to the thermostat. If the thermostat is set to “cool” or “cold” and warm air is still flowing, this could indicate a significant problem. Warm air could mean that your AC is running overtime and overheating. Another reason for warm air could mean your compressor has failed, which means you may need an entirely new AC system. Either way, it’s time to call an HVAC professional at Bell Brothers.

Odd Odors

Is there a strange smell coming from your air vents? Don’t ignore it! That smell could be an indicator that it’s time to repair your AC. A strong smell could be from frayed wiring in your condenser or indoor AC unit. If you smell mold or mildew, it could indicate growths in your ductwork. Either way, these smells are not normal and should be investigated by a certified HVAC technician.

Think it’s Time to Repair your AC? Trust the HVAC Techs at Bell Brothers

Bell Brothers HVAC is dedicated to serving the homes of our Sacrament, Vacaville, and Stockton communities. Every one of our HVAC technicians is expertly trained to diagnose, treat, and fix any HVAC problems. If you want us to tune-up or take a look at your AC, call the number at the top of page, or click here to schedule an appointment online. Also, we do more than AC. You can call Bell Brothers with plumbing and window questions as well.