3 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs To Be Fixed

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If you live in a hot climate, then you don't need to be told how important your air conditioner is -- there's little use trying to survive without it during the summer months. Unfortunately, it's precisely because homeowners rely so heavily on their air conditioner that they forget to maintain it regularly, which in turn means that they miss the obvious warning signs that their air conditioner needs to be fixed. So keep reading below to discover three signs your A/C probably needs some attention.

Nasty Odor

Though it's often an unusual sound that signals a need for repair, it's sometimes the case that a foul smell is just as effective. If you've noticed a strange smell emitting from your air conditioning unit, it may be time to call a technician. Many people report discovering that the wired mesh on the outside of the unit has melted away, or -- worse yet --  that there is a significant amount of mold on the inside. Both are problems that can easily be fixed by calling an HVAC expert.

Bigger Energy Bills

Here's another way to tell that your A/C unit isn't doing its job as efficiently as it could be: look at your home's most recent energy bills. If they show huge increases over the past few months (or are abnormally larger than past summers, assuming all other things are equal), then it is probably the case that the air conditioning unit is to blame. Older units in particular will become less efficient over time and will require more energy in order to cool the home to the same temperature.

Obstructed Airflow

If the flow of cool air is obstructed in your home's ducts, it doesn't really matter how new your air conditioning unit is, or how hard it is working -- you're not going to feel the results. If you have noticed lately that your home simply isn't getting as cool as it used to, hold your hand up to multiple vents around the house to check air flow. If the flow is weak or even nonexistent, then it's time to call out an HVAC technician to help solve the problem. It's often the case that small debris such as dust and mold has built up over time in the ducts and that it is preventing cool air from reaching the inside of your home. 

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