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Warm weather is coming, which is good news for people in Cleveland, TN who are ready to get outside of their houses again. The global pandemic and colder than usual temperatures have made winter and spring stretch on, but with the start of spring also comes the need for AC. Unless you want to pay high energy bills or risk your AC not turning on this summer unexpectedly, it is time to call a local HVAC company for an air conditioning service. It is always better to proactively get ahead on your AC maintenance instead of waiting for an issue to arise.
The last thing you want to do is fire up your AC on a hot summer day and realize that it’s not actually working. In addition, most manufacturers require you to maintain your AC system at least once a year otherwise the warranty is void. When you combine all of these factors together, it only makes sense to schedule an air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN. In addition, you may consider trying to fire up your AC right now. You don’t need it right now, but it’s not a bad idea to turn it on and make sure it is properly blowing cool air so at least you have some idea of where you are right now.
Common Signs You May Need Air Conditioning Service in Cleveland, TN
Already turned on your AC? If your AC is functioning then you may be less inclined to service your air conditioning, but just because it appears to work does not mean that it couldn’t benefit from some fine-tuning. Here are some signs that you may still need an air conditioning service. You don’t want to ignore the needs of your AC just because it is functional. There are a lot of other problems that can quickly turn a functional AC into a broken one if you don’t act quick enough.
Warm Air Coming Out of Vents
One big obvious sign is if warm air is coming out of your air ducts. If your A/C is properly turned on, then the air coming out of your air vents should be properly cooled. If it is room temperature then there is a good chance that something is wrong with your compressor or you are low on refrigerant. In either case, you will need an air conditioning service to take care of the matter. You can’t deal with refrigerants on your own and compressor issues can be very complicated so this is not something that you want to try to handle on your own.
Try not to be too alarmed if your AC is blowing warm air, because this does not necessarily mean that you need to replace your entire system. There are many different reasons why this can happen, and many of them can be repaired. While there is always a chance that you may need a complete replacement, there are also plenty of endings that result in repairs that are much more cost-effective so call an air conditioning service and get to the bottom of the problem before becoming too alarmed.
The one thing that you can do is check your thermostat and ensure that your AC system is set to cool. Every once in a while a thermostat can get bumped to the fan-only setting which can make it seem like the AC is not working. This is the best-case scenario and one that you can easily fix on your own. However, if you take a look and it is not the issue, then it is time to call for air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN.
Poor Airflow
Another sign that you need to call for air conditioning service is if you notice that the air coming out of your home vents is cold, but the flow is decreased. This is a sign that your HVAC system is not working efficiently or that there is a blockage somewhere that is blocking the amount of air that is able to move through your vents. This is something that you don’t want to wait around to deal with, because eventually, it may switch from diminished airflow to absolutely no airflow which is not a situation you want to find yourself in.
In addition, if your AC is only able to move half the amount of air as it usually does, it will have to work twice as hard to cool your home which means it is working at half-efficiency. The end result of this situation is that you will end up paying twice as much in energy bills as you usually would which is also not ideal. An air conditioning service costs much less than paying twice as much for your AC throughout the summer and start of fall in Cleveland, TN.
Sometimes this indicates that an air filter is clogged and preventing the air from properly moving into the vent system. You can check on this on your own by simply changing your air filter, however, if you do this and you are still receiving diminished airflow then this is a clear sign that it is time to call for an air conditioning service. Diminished airflow can also mean that something is wrong with the motor in your AC on top of many other issues.
Constant Cycling
If your airflow is diminished you may notice that your AC is constantly cycling, but you can also notice constant cycling even when it is not. Your AC should have a fairly dependable cycle that it follows to cool your home, and chances are you roughly know how often you hear it running. However, if you start to notice that it is running all of the time this is a clear sign that you need to call for air conditioning service.
An AC system that is cycling constantly is not working efficiently, because this means it has to work harder to cool your home. It also may indicate that something is wrong with your thermostat and making your AC think that it needs to run more often than it does. A professional HVAC technician can investigate the problem during an air conditioning service and get your system back on its feet. A more efficient system means lower energy bills and that is something that everyone can feel good about.
Water Leaks Around Your Unit
There is never a good reason to explain water leaks around your AC. If you see any water leaks at any time or signs of moisture outside of a very light condensation on the system, you need to call for air conditioning service right away. Some people mistakenly think that it is just the condensate that is forming on the system, but condensate should never accumulate enough that it forms noticeable water dropping. Therefore, if you see any signs of liquid on the floor you need to call for air conditioning service.
Water leaks around an HVAC system are troubling for several reasons. First of all, constant water leaks can cause corrosion on your unit and indicate that something is not functioning properly. Water leaks can also cause water damage on the floor or foundation of your home which is also extremely worrisome. Finally, what looks like a water leak can also be a refrigerant leak which can be highly dangerous to any animals or children in your home. Thus, don’t mess around with any water leaks, just call a trained technician to come to take a look as part of an air conditioning service.
It’s Humid In Your Home
Part of the job of your AC is to cool your home, the other part of its job is to purify your air and remove the humidity from it. If you still feel sticky while sitting in your home despite a lower temperature on the thermostat, there is a good chance that your home is humid which means that your AC is not doing the job it is supposed to. This is an issue for two reasons: one it could lead to mold growth and two it signifies your system is not working properly.
Sometimes when this happens it is a sign that an AC needs to be re-calibrated. This is a pretty simple process and can be handled by an HVAC tech without too many issues However, other times it may mean that your home needs a whole-house dehumidifier installed. Before jumping to any conclusions book an air conditioning service and talk to an HVAC tech. They can explore the situation and offer you professional feedback on what needs to be done.
Noises from Your HVAC machine
If you have had an AC system for many years now, you know that it shouldn’t make any noises. The most you should ever hear from it is a gentle hum and the gentle rumble of it turning on and air coming out your vents at the start of a cycle. If you hear any other type of noise then it is time to talk to an HVAC professional. Noises can mean several different things, and almost none of them are good.
For instance, a buzzing or rattling noise means that a part or component inside of your AC may have become loose or damaged while a whistling noise can mean that you have a gas leak which is certainly an emergency situation. Grinding noises can mean that something is wrong with your motor and will eventually cause your system to completely break down if you don’t take quick action. This is just a shortlist of potential problems, there are many more. The bottom line is if your AC is talking to you it is time to book an air conditioning service in Cleveland, TN.
Should I Prepare for the HVAC Tech?
Ready to call an HVAC company? You may be wondering if there is anything that you need to do in advance of their visit. Most tasks the HVAC tech will take care of, but there are a few things you can do to help expedite the process. For instance, you can make a clear pathway to your outdoor unit so that they can access it easily with their tools. Most units are located on the side of the home, so if your condenser is near your driveway make sure that a car is not blocking it and that all children’s toys are removed from the area to provide clear access.
The HVAC technician will also likely have to go inside of your home during their visit so make sure they have a clear path to the indoor unit as well as the thermostat. These few steps will help make their job easier and likely help them get in and out of your home in a quicker fashion. Also, if you have any large pets make sure they are put away or taken outside so that they do not create an extra hurdle for the technician. Given the current climate, you can expect your HVAC technician to wear a mask and clean their work area when they are done to enhance the safety of your household.
How Long Will the Visit Take?
It is impossible to estimate upfront how long an AC visit will take. If you are simply booking an annual air conditioning service then you should expect the entire process to take two to four hours depending on the tech and what they find. If you are booking a repair-based visit, then the visit will vary in length depending on the problem and if the technician has the parts on hand to finish the repair in one trip. If length is an issue you can always ask the HVAC company upfront. If you are ready to book your Cleveland, TN air conditioning service give Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air a call. We will be happy to assist you and ensure that your AC is rocking properly this summer.
