In many ways, your air conditioning unit is the most important appliance in your home. It helps make life more livable in the warmer months and basically affects how comfortable you and your whole family are throughout the year.

That’s why it’s important to keep the AC in good, working order. You’ll need to know what some of the warning signs are that you should watch out for. Knowing what these signs are lets you know when to replace your air conditioner!

Keep reading to discover the main signs you should be watching out for!

#1: NO COLD AIR

Let’s start with the obvious. The biggest sign that your AC may need to be repaired or replaced is if you’re no longer getting cold air from it.

This means that, even at full blast, you’re not getting anything resembling cold air from your system. Such an issue can be a big sign that the compressor in the system has failed or even that the freon levels are really low.

Either of these can represent a major repair, and it would be worth having a conversation about whether you’d like to replace the old unit instead of simply repairing it.

#2: BAD AIR FLOW

Sometimes, your big clue isn’t a complete lack of cold air. Instead, it might be that your system is providing really bad air flow.

For example, some areas of the house may get cooler than others. Alternately, some areas may receive cold air while others receive no air at all!

Different issues can cause air flow problems. This can range from debris inside your ducts to issues with your compressor. In order to play it safe for you and your family, you should have a professional look into this matter as soon as you notice it.

#3: ODD NOISES

There is a good rule of thumb when it comes to all appliances. Weird noises are always a bad sign. And this is quite true when it comes to air conditioning!

By now, you’ve got a pretty good idea of what your AC sounds like when it’s running. That means you can tell very easily when something sounds “off” with the system. This can range from different rhythms of sound all the way to noises like banging, clicking, and popping.

The sounds are a bad sign, but it’s tough to diagnose the issue from sound alone. Once you hear these noises, go ahead and call a professional!

#4: THERMOSTAT ISSUES

Many times, homeowners notice issues with the AC when they are adjusting the thermostat. Every now and then, though, it’s not the AC but the thermostat that is in need of repair!

As with air flow issues, a big sign of this is if one area of the house is quite cold and another area is not. And as AC issues go, this is a relatively minor one. It is typically easier and cheaper to repair or replace your thermostat than it is to repair or replace your AC unit itself!

#5: MYSTERIOUS MOISTURE

Many of the signs we have been talking about simply involve feeling the temperature of the air. However, there is one issue that you can notice with one look: moisture buildup!

Long story short, you shouldn’t have moisture building up around either your air conditioning unit or the vents. If you notice this, it’s time to call a professional right away instead of trying to handle anything on your own.

Why is this? That water is building up near sources of electricity in your home. If you try to fix this on your own, you run serious risk of damage to the house as well as injury or even death for yourself!

#6: FILTER PROBLEMS

With any luck, you are checking and changing your filters on a regular basis. Make sure you use this opportunity to diagnose if you have any issues with your air conditioning unit!

Basically, if you have clogged filters every single time you check them, then one of two things is going on. You might simply need to change the filters more regularly than you already do. However, if you already change them pretty regularly, there may be an issue with your AC putting our dirty air.

In that case, we recommend you get a pro to inspect it right away!

#7: BAD SMELLS

Some of these signs might take you a little while to notice. Some, however, hit you like a ton of bricks. Really stinky air vents is one of those signs!

If you smell something nasty coming from your vents, there are many different possibilities. This can range from a dead animal all the way to a burnt wire or mold deep inside your ductwork.

For all of these issues, we recommend having your AC regularly inspected by a professional. Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Proactively have your unit inspected each and every year!

#8: SURPRISE BILLS

While we all love air conditioning (especially in the summer), there’s one thing that’s never fun: the bill! A high electricity bill is never good, but did you know it can also be a sign that your AC needs repair?

You should be keeping track of your bills from month to month. Pay close attention and see if they are unexpectedly rising. That’s a sign that your AC is working too hard, and this may be due to some kind of malfunction that you haven’t noticed yet.

That’s your cue to call a professional who can inspect the issue and actually save you money!

A PROFESSIONAL IN YOUR CORNER

Your AC is a delicate piece of machinery. It can be hard to figure out what’s wrong with it and even harder to repair whatever the problem is.

Fortunately, you’ve got a professional right here in your corner! At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Charlotte, we can handle everything from annual maintenance to inspecting, repairing, and replacing your AC. We are here to help you know when to replace your air conditioner or when a repair will do. No matter what you need, we’re just a call away.

Why are you waiting? Go pick up the phone!