Each year, approximately 24% of homeowners in New Orleans and Saint Tammany experience an air conditioning issue that requires professional help. Your HVAC system is unquestionably an important part of your home. Of course, you want it to work perfectly all of the time, but this is not always the case.
Knowing when to call an AC repair service is critical because problems with your cooling and heating system can occur at any time. Cooling problems always seem to arise at the most inconvenient time. On extra hot days, a faulty or aging HVAC system is often pushed to its limits.
Your family’s comfort and health depend on properly functioning equipment, and for that reason, regular maintenance should be a priority. You can save money on expensive AC repairs by detecting minor problems before they become major.
Stay ahead of heat pump and HVAC repairs. Know these 8 signs for when it is time to make an appointment with a professional for service.
1. Not Cooling
An AC system has one job to do — to keep your family at a comfortable temperature during the hot summer months. But if it blows warm instead of cool, have your service provider send out an EPA certified technician to check why it is not keeping up with demand.
2. Electric Bills Are Increasing
If your system is getting older, and your electric bills are gradually increasing, it’s time for an evaluation of the entire system. Maybe a little TLC and tweaking is all it needs. But replacement with a new unit might be the best answer. With repairs or equipment replacement, you will likely notice a reduction in your energy bills.
3. Diminished Airflow
You may feel cool air blowing through the grills, but is it weak? Diminished airflow can be a sign of multiple problems, including a declining blower motor, high humidity, poor indoor air quality, and failing indoor or outdoor equipment. It can even be indicative of a problem with the ducts. Because of the ambiguity of this problem, setting up a service call with an EPA certified HVAC professional for a check-up is the best course of action.
4. Visible Ice
Ice or frost buildup on the copper tubing can be caused by a variety of issues, including a very dirty filter or low refrigerant levels. It can also indicate an impacted evaporator coil. If left unchecked, this buildup can cause serious damage to the compressor and necessitate costly repairs or replacement. If you find ice or frost on your AC unit, it is best to schedule service with your trusted service provider to have it inspected and repaired.
5. Water Leak
A water leak must be repaired immediately because an overflow of condensation can cause ceiling, wall, and floor damage, even mold or mildew. If water leaks inside your home, your AC condensate drain may be stopped up or damaged. Clearing the condensate drain line is a relatively simple job, but must be resolved right away.
6. AC Won’t Turn On
There are multiple possibilities for why your air conditioning system will not come on when you lower the thermostat setpoint. A common problem can be the condensate overflow switch has detected water in the drain line, and has disabled the system. Of course, the issue can be a blown fuse, or mechanical. In either case, an HVAC repair company in the Greater New Orleans area and the Northshore can easily diagnose the problem.
7. AC Won’t Stop Running
When your system keeps running, even when it has reached temperature setpoint, the issue could be more electrical than mechanical. Possible answers are a low voltage electrical short, a stuck contactor, or incorrect wiring, to name a few. Electrical repairs are not a job for do-it-yourselfers. Call a professional for air conditioning services in New Orleans and St. Tammany.
8. AC Unit is Noisy
If you hear scraping, squealing, or grinding sounds while the air conditioner is running, it is best to switch the thermostat to “off” until it can be checked out by a qualified service technician. Continuing to run the unit could lead to more serious problems. Contact your local HVAC contractors as soon as possible to avoid costly damage to other components.
Need HVAC Repair Service in the New Orleans Area? Berner Air Conditioning & Heating is at your service.
Berner Air Conditioning & Heating is a reputable HVAC repair company serving New Orleans, LA and the Northshore. Our EPA-certified air conditioning service professionals are knowledgeable about every type of AC issue.
If you notice any of the signs described above, call (985) 727-2302 or (504) 822-8080, for a technician to diagnose and fix the problem.
