6 Common Air Conditioning Problems You Should Know About

The air conditioning is one of the most important parts of your home. It keeps you cool and comfortable, but it also helps to keep allergens, mold spores, and other particles out of your house.

However, if it’s dirty or clogged up with dust mites and pet hair—and there’s no way for them to get into our lungs—allergies are less likely to bother us during allergy season. Here are six common problems when you should call someone for air conditioning repair.

1. Your system won’t cool at all.

If your thermostat is set to “cool,” but your house isn’t getting any cooler, check the settings on your thermostat. You may need to change something in order to get cold air flowing through your vents.

You could also have a more serious problem if the temperature inside and outside is both above 70°F since this means that there’s no way for you to use up all of the heat being pumped into your unit by using it as an air conditioner.

2. Your system is cooling, but not enough.

The first thing to check is air leaks. Make sure all windows and doors are closed, then put a thermometer in front of the unit to measure the temperature. You should see a 10-degree difference between inside and outside temperatures. If you don’t see that difference, you likely have an air leak somewhere.

Next, look for obstructions in the airflow. If there’s an object blocking it, the system won’t be able to do its job properly. Check any filters as well—they may have been installed incorrectly or become clogged with dust and dirt over time.

3. Your home feels humid.

If you feel like your home is humid, you’re not alone. Moisture in the air can be caused by leaks around windows or doors and even just from cooking. It can also come from your AC unit, which removes moisture from the air when it cools down.

Humid air can lead to mold and mildew on walls and floors, as well as make allergies more severe for some people. If a family member has asthma or other respiratory issues, humid air may make those conditions worse. More than that, though: It just feels gross!

4. Air is blowing from the wrong places.

If you’re having trouble getting the air to blow from the right places, there are a few things to check.

First, make sure that your filters are clean. If they’re dirty or clogged with dust and debris, it can affect how well the system works. Check them at least once every month or two during the cooling season (spring through fall).

Also, check whether any ducts have become disconnected or otherwise damaged over time. If they have, you may need to replace them entirely—but if they just need some repair work done on them, such as reconnecting loose joints or fixing leaks in seams or joints between sections of pipework.

5. An unusual smell is coming from your air conditioner.

If your air conditioner smells like it’s burning, but there is no fire, it could be for a few different reasons. The first thing to check is whether or not your air conditioner is operating properly. If you suspect that there’s something wrong with it, turn off the unit and call an HVAC professional immediately.

If everything looks okay on the mechanical side of things, then there may be another cause for your unusual smell: mold and mildew (which can also give off a burning odor).

6. You’re seeing an increase in your utility bill.

If you’re seeing an increase in your utility bill, it’s a sign that something is going on with your HVAC system. Check to make sure that:

• Your thermostat is set to cool. If it’s not, you might be running your AC when it doesn’t need to be run, which will drive up costs and wear out the system faster than necessary.
• Make sure there’s adequate insulation around windows and doors—this helps keep cool air inside the home when temperatures rise outside.
• Examine ductwork for leaks or loose connections; this can lead to improper airflow distribution throughout the house and cause higher energy usage than normal cooling needs warrant (or none at all if no airflow exists).

Conclusion

Before you call a technician, try to figure out what’s wrong with your system. This can pay off in the long run because it helps you avoid costly repairs and save money by fixing the problem yourself. If you still need help after doing some research on your own, don’t hesitate to call an HVAC professional who can diagnose and fix whatever issue is plaguing your home’s air conditioner.