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As extreme weather becomes more common all-over North America, air conditioning becomes more important than ever for domestic comfort – especially if you’re living in the South. An air conditioning service such as Metro, Plumbing, Heating and Air of Chattanooga, TN needs to be on the speed dial of every property owner in the region. Not only can they provide excellent AC service, they can also handle installation, maintenance and repairs for all the heating and plumbing systems around the house.
So, what are the tell-tale signs that you need to call a professional air conditioning service?
1. The Air in Your Home Is Uncomfortably Hot and Stagnant
Not all homes have built-in air cooling. You may need to have a system installed. A professional air conditioning service provider can assess your family’s needs and the areas that need to be cooled and will advise you on the right size system for your home. Ultra-insulated homes may only need a room-specific back split or window unit; or, for comprehensive comfort, existing HVAC infrastructure can be retrofitted to provide air conditioning throughout the home.
2. Something Smells Off
The nose knows. If there are foul odors emanating from your air conditioning unit or duct work, you’ll need a pro to investigate. Different smells can indicate different problems. A musty smell, for example, can possibly indicate mold, and that’s a potential health hazard. A smell like exhaust fumes can mean leaking fluids within the AC unit; a skunk smells a possible gas leak. A smell like gunpowder suggests some kind of motor or circuit issue. A professional air conditioning service technician can follow these olfactory clues and get to the root of the problem, possibly heading off an even larger problem in the process.
3. Weird Noises
In the world of mechanical devices, rattling or banging noises are never good. If you hear unusual noises coming from your AC unit or ducting, it could indicate loose or broken components. Although they may go away temporarily, grinding mechanical noises have a nasty habit of returning bigger and badder. So, address the issue sooner rather than later by calling in an air conditioning service technician to take a listen. It may be something that a little lubrication or adjustment can fix, or new component parts may be necessary. A professional technician will be able to trouble shoot the issue and source replacement parts if necessary.
4. Blowing Hot Air
When summer hits in Chattanooga, TN, the last thing you want to feel is hot air blowing through your air conditioning ducts. It could indicate a broken compressor, or leaking refrigerant. This is not a DIY job; it’s a job for a skilled technician who works for an established air conditioning service provider. If a spare part or upgrade is required, they can perform it cleanly, safely and quickly.
5. Condensation
Excess moisture coming from an AC main unit or lingering on duct work is a sure sign of some kind of misalignment. It could simply be a blocked or broken drain tube that is creating the excess moisture, or it could be something more serious like leaking refrigerant. Either way, it’s not the kind of problem to DIY. Instead, ask a pro to troubleshoot the problem and make the appropriate adjustments or repairs. McGyvering solutions to AC problems never works for very long.
6. High Utility Bills
Cooling and heating your home is costly, for sure. But if your energy bills are higher than normal, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Inefficiency makes AC systems work harder to keep up with demand. Which, in turn draws more energy. Ask an air conditioning service technician to assess your household bills and suggest solutions to bring energy consumption back down. It could something as basic as replacing an air filter or managing the amount of direct sunlight is coming into your home. Or it may be a sign that you need to upgrade to a more energy efficient system.
7. Exploring Greener Options
If your AC system is older it probably doesn’t meet current standards for sustainability and green energy. In an effort to do your part for the environment, consult with an air conditioning service provider about greener options. A pro will have all the latest information about green solutions from the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) and from AC manufacturers themselves. There may be simple solutions such as changing filters more regularly and increasing your home’s insulation. And as technology takes on the challenges of climate change, new, eco-friendly products are constantly coming online.
8. The Beauty of Routine Maintenance
Normally, it’s out of sight, out of mind when it comes to household systems. If you want to keep that blissful state of ignorance going, one of the best things you can do is schedule regular routine maintenance of all your household systems, including air conditioning. On a routine maintenance service call, your air conditioning service technician will do a thorough inspection of the main unit and drainage and delivery infrastructure. He or she will make sure everything is clean and running optimally, and can offer solutions when your system needs modification or upgrading. And all of this can save homeowners a ton of money and heartache in the long run. Why wait until there’s a problem?
If you’ve noticed or are worried about any of the above tell-tale signs or issues, or just want to know more about air conditioning options in the Chattanooga, TN area, give Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air a call today. Their experienced technicians can advise on new and upgraded products and systems, repairs and routine maintenance, as well as provide a comprehensive range of routine and emergency HVAC services.
