Is it Time for an AC Tune-Up?

Spring just sprung, but we’re already dreaming of warm summer nights. During the warmest months of the year, your home should be a respite, an oasis of comfort from the harsh outdoor temperature. At Moore Home Services, we recommend twice yearly tune-ups. Despite this, there are some homeowners who like to go rogue and start their AC before having it looked at. For those already running their HVAC systems, here are five signs it’s time for an AC tune-up.

Your Home Feels Humid

Does the air in your home feel heavier than normal? This could be an indicator your AC is leaking or low on refrigerant. In addition to keeping your home nice and cool, your AC system also regulates humidity levels. When there’s too much moisture in the air, your AC will automatically adjust to even everything out. The issue with refrigerant comes into play when you notice the humidity levels rising. Refrigerant is responsible for your cool air. It absorbs heat and provides refrigeration. During a tune-up, an HVAC tech will top-off your refrigerant levels. When your system doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it can’t properly pull moisture from your treated air, resulting in a home that feels somewhat tropical. The same thing happens when you have a refrigerant leak. Simply eyeball your condenser for water leaks. They’re an indicator of leaking refrigerant.

There’s Warm Air Instead of Cold

All air conditioners have one basic function, to keep your home cool. You can guarantee it’s time for some maintenance when the AC fails at this one task. When your AC system is running and only warm air comes out, it leads to a few problems. First, your system is working overtime to try and cool your home; second, it’s making your utility bill go up; and third, your home is still not cool. What gives? Warm air can signal a few different issues. Some are relatively minor. It could be that the thermostat is not communicating with your HVAC system or that an air filter just needs to be changed. Or it could be something much larger. Evaporator coils can freeze over, the compressor could fail, or as we mentioned above, you could be dealing with a refrigerant leak.

Strange Sounds Coming from the Vents

A noise here and there is somewhat common and even expected for most HVAC systems. The problem comes when the sounds are constant. This is not what you want to be hearing from your air conditioner. However, not all sounds are created equal. Squealing, like the one that comes from a loose belt, is really annoying. But you can run your system for a short time with a loose belt. Other sounds could indicate bigger problems. Banging is a noise that indicates something is broken and knocking around somewhere in your system.

Airflow Feels Weaker

Has your airflow gone from a mighty wave to a slow trickle? Don’t despair, there are things you can do to fix this problem. The first one should be to check your air filter. A clogged filter makes it hard for treated air to make it into your ducts. Sometimes, changing the air filter can restore airflow. Another reason for weak airflow could be from debris in your ducts. Just like a sink is slow to drain when pipes are backed up, debris can make it hard for air to reach its final destination.

Ready for an AC Tune-Up? Call Moore Home Services

At Moore Home Services we pride ourselves on offering the best AC tune-ups to Santa Rosa, Sonoma County and the North Bay. Our expertly trained technicians look at 26 specific points of your AC system which include aesthetic, electric, and safety checks. To meet your HVAC specialist, dial the number at the top of the screen or click here to request an appointment online. Either way, we’ll be talking to you soon.