5 AC Problems That Signal You’re Overdue for Maintenance

Austinites need just three things to make the long summers here bearable: access to a swimming hole, a nice patio serving up cool drinks, and a functioning AC. Unfortunately, when the AC goes out, all bets are off. Being uncomfortable inside can quickly turn summer joy into summer purgatory, where the days drag on and the nights are even longer. 

Keeping your AC maintained is the best way to extend the life of your equipment to survive the long Texas summer. Here are 5 of the most common signs you need AC maintenance.

1. Poor Cooling

If your AC isn’t keeping up with the Texas heat, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common complaints we receive from Austinites as summer ramps up.

Causes
Dirty coils
Insufficient coolant
Faulty thermostat
Dirty filters
Defective parts

How Regular Maintenance Can Help 
During a professional tune-up, we’ll inspect your AC coils, check all refrigerant components for possible leaks, inspect and adjust the refrigerant profile, ensure thermostat operation, level and calibrate the thermostat, check your air filters, and inspect parts and connections.

2. Unexpectedly High Energy Bills

If your AC is struggling to keep your home cool, the first sign of trouble might be a high energy bill.

Causes
Failing parts
Refrigerant leaks
Dirty coils
Dirty air filters

How Regular Maintenance Can Help 
During preventative maintenance, we thoroughly inspect parts and connections, check coolant components and adjust the refrigerant profile, inspect the coils, and check your air filters.

3. It’s Humid Inside

Your AC uses coils to cool the air and get rid of moisture. If you’re experiencing indoor humidity even when your AC is running, it’s because your unit isn’t functioning as it should.

Causes
Frozen evaporator coils
Dirty condenser coils

How Regular Maintenance Can Help 
During each maintenance visit, we check airflow, inspect your filters, check refrigerant components for possible leaks, and inspect your coils to determine if they need cleaning.

4. Water is Leaking Into the House

Water leaks are a major indicator that your AC needs maintenance.

Causes
Issues with the drain pan
Broken HVAC float switch
Clogs in the drain or condensate line
Low refrigerant.

How Regular Maintenance Can Help 
During maintenance, an HVAC expert inspects the float safety switch, the drain and condensate lines, and checks all refrigerant components for possible leaks.

5. The AC Is Making Strange Noises

Strange noises are more than a nuisance. Whether your AC is rattling, hissing, clanging, or buzzing, it’s time for a professional assessment.

Causes
Issues with the compressor
Malfunctioning motor
Defective relay switch
Unbalanced fan
Faulty thermostat
Clogged drains

How Regular Maintenance Can Help 
During a seasonal tune-up, we’ll monitor your compressor’s starting amps and operating temperatures, ensure your motor’s running amps are correct, and test all relays, controls, and transformers. We’ll also inspect the fan and fan motor, check the thermostat, inspect your drain lines, inspect all wiring and connections, and check all circuit boards for burn marks or corrosion.

Learn More About Maintenance & Schedule An Appointment Today!