Written on: July 1, 2019

Summer is officially underway here in Suffolk County – and although we have only dipped our toes in sticky summer heat so far this year, more is sure to come (that’s what the Farmers tell us, anyway).
If you got an air conditioning tune-up in LI before summer began – or maybe even after cooling season last year, if you’re really proactive – chances are your central air conditioner or mini-split air conditioner is in good shape right now. But if you skipped your A/C service – especially if you have an older home cooling system – you may be seeing, hearing, or even smelling some HVAC air conditioning problems in the weeks and months ahead.
Here are ten signs that it’s time for an air conditioning repair or service (or possibly an air conditioning upgrade) for your Long Island home:

1. Warm air – Warm air coming from your A/C vents is usually a sign that your air conditioner is low on refrigerant; it could also indicate a problem with your compressor.
2. Weak airflow – Weak airflow usually points to either a clogged air filter or a problem blower motor.
3. Frequent cycling – If your air conditioner runs for short lengths of time before it shuts off (also known as “cycling”), it’s probably overworking – often due to a mismatch between the size of your air conditioner and your home’s cooling load.
4. Unusual noises – Grinding, scraping or squealing noises often indicate a worn down or lose part somewhere in your system.
5. Unusual smells – A strong electrical smell often means that wire insulation has burned out somewhere in your A/C system; a musty smell could mean you have a problem with water drainage.
6. Humid household air – Air conditioners should reduce indoor humidity, not add to it. If your home air feels more humid with the A/C on, your equipment probably needs service.
7. Fluid leaks – Fluid around your air conditioner’s compressor often indicates a Freon leak, which will cause your A/C to blow warm air.
8. Higher bills – An unusually high electric bill in the summer can mean a problem ranging from duct leaks to a broken thermostat – and everything in between.
9. More frequent repairs – If you and your air conditioning technician are seeing each other more often in recent years, it’s probably time to upgrade your air conditioner. You’ll save money on future repairs, reduce your energy bill, and not have to worry about anything beyond routine air conditioning maintenance years to come.
10. The age of your A/C system – A typical central air conditioner will last 10-15 years – but that doesn’t mean it will perform well towards the end of its run. Much of that depends on how well the unit has been maintained. But once your air conditioner makes it past the 10-year mark, it rarely pays to fix the unit – especially when you consider the performance of today’s high efficiency air conditioner and HVAC systems.

It’s not too late for annual home cooling system service! If you notice any of these signs in your air conditioner – or want to prevent them from happening in the first place – give us a call today. And don’t worry: If your A/C breaks down in the midst of a long, hot summer day, we’ll be there same day with emergency air conditioning service.