5 Warning Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Ac

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Summer is almost here. As the temperature gets warmer outside, you need a dependable air conditioner that keeps your house cool throughout the hot season. If your air conditioner is giving you problems and costing you too much money in repairs, it may be time for a professional AC replacement.

Contact a company that offers AC replacement in Rock Hill to come out and inspect your system. They can recommend the right brand and size and other features that can enhance your home comfort. Below, we look at five warning signs it’s time to replace your AC.

1. Higher Energy Bill

For a 2,000-square-foot home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the energy bill should be around $300 per month. If you notice that your bill has skyrocketed in the last few months and your house is well insulated, there may be a problem with your air conditioner. 

There are several ways to tell if your air conditioner has lost efficiency.

  • Age
  • Lukewarm air coming out of the vents
  • A noisy unit
  • Odor coming from the vents
  • Increased electric bill

If you notice one or more of these signs occurring in your system, you need to get your system checked. Old or worn-out equipment may warrant an AC replacement this summer. A brand new, high-efficiency air conditioner could save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs annually. You may notice significant savings during the hot summer months.

2. Your Air Conditioner Smells Bad

You can expect your furnace to give off a burning smell during the winter months as the element burns off the dust. However, when you turn on your AC for the first time, you should not notice a foul odor coming from the system all summer long. If the AC smells musty, smoky, or rotten, it could indicate a serious problem with the unit.

Here are some common AC smells and possible causes.

  • Car exhaust: There is a refrigerant line leak.
  • Fire or smoke: An AC part is hot or burning.
  • Rotten eggs: Dead animal somewhere in the system.
  • Gas or skunk: There is a gas leak.
  • Moldy or musty smell: There is water accumulation in the drain pan or pipes.

Note: If you smell gas or smoke in the system, take action immediately. Contact a company that provides air conditioner repair services in Rock Hill, South Carolina. There is a serious problem with your air conditioner, which could put your household at risk.

3. The AC is Noisy

Like smells, your air conditioner can produce different noises that signify when something’s wrong. The noise typically gets louder as the problem gets worse. Some of the most common AC noises (and the cause) include

  • Banging: Parts are loose inside the compressor.
  • Screeching: The AC fan motor is broken.
    • Humming: There is a defective contactor relay switch.
  • Buzzing: The AC fan blades are unbalanced or loose.
  • Rattling: There may be debris buildup in the AC unit
  • Clicking: The thermostat is malfunctioning.

Although AC noises are not as dangerous as smells, they can indicate that your air conditioner has a serious problem. Most issues like defective or broken parts may be severe enough that you need an AC replacement. Others may only require air conditioner repair services. In either care, don’t delay contacting an AC company in Rock Hill when you have a problem.

4. High Humidity or Moisture

If your air conditioner is working properly and the doors and windows are closed, the AC should control the amount of humidity in your house. A properly working unit cools the air while removing the humidity simultaneously, leaving your house dry and comfortable during the summer months. 

If you are experiencing high humidity with the AC turned on, the most likely cause is frozen evaporator coils. If the coils are frozen, it could mean that your AC system is low on refrigerant. 

Check the evaporator coils. If there is a sheet of ice over the coils, you’ll need to turn your AC unit off and let the ice melt. In the meantime, contact an AC company in Rock Hills to come out and refill your refrigerant. You may also want to get the technician to clean your system, as dust and debris can also block your air conditioner coils.

5. No Cool Air or Limited Airflow

One of the most common AC problems during the summer is when the AC is not blowing cold air. As we discussed above, one of the main reasons is low refrigerant. Today’s air conditioners should never need refrigerant during their lifetime. So, if the refrigerant is low, there is probably a leak.

Another common cause of limited airflow or warm air is a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter prevents proper circulation through the house. The best way to fix this problem is to change your air filter. Read your air conditioner owner’s manual to determine what type of air filter your system requires and how often you should change the filter.

Other circulation or temperature problems may include a dirty evaporator coil, clogged registers, or your thermostat. All the potential causes of poor air circulation can make it difficult to diagnose the problem. If it’s hot outside and you need cool air fast, your best option is to contact a company for an AC replacement or air conditioner repair services.

Schedule AC Replacement in Rock Hill, South Carolina

If your air conditioner is broken down and needs AC replacement, contact Panther Heating and Cooling. We offer complete air conditioner services in Rock Hil, South Carolina. To schedule service, fill out our contact form or give us a call.

 

Need HVAC Service?

Contact the experts at Panther Heating and Cooling.

Call us at (803) 327-2700!