Aside from making the temperature of your home cooler, the air conditioning system of your home serves many other purposes. From improving the air quality to lessening insects and parasites, air conditioners are an important appliance of your home. While air conditioning is not necessarily a must-have in every home, more and more households are investing in air conditioners.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, three out of every four households in Australia now have an air conditioning system, which is almost double the rate of ownership compared to the late 1990s. In fact, 2.3 million homeowners in Australia even leave the aircon on though no one is home, a report from Finder says. In total, Aussies spend an average of $4.6 billion because of air-con usage.
If you’re one of those homeowners who use their AC units very often, it’s important to take care of this integral appliance of your home. According to the US Department of Energy, the average lifespan of an air conditioning unit is about 15-20 years. However, in some cases, you would have to repair or replace your AC units much earlier if you failed to give it adequate maintenance.
Here are some telltale signs that there is something wrong with your home air conditioning unit:
Your AC makes way too much noise
If your AC unit is making strange sounds and is noisier than it used to be, it’s a warning sign that something is not working right in the system of your air conditioner. Chattering, squeaking, and grinding sounds from your AC unit is not normal and should not be taken lightly. AC units that are in normal condition are supposed to operate with little to no noise so if your AC is producing sounds that are almost distracting, perhaps it’s time for a much-needed repair.
Your AC unit is leaking
Moisture leaking anywhere in or around your AC unit is never normal. Leakage from your AC unit will not only cause the appliance to underperform but can also be a serious health risk for your family. The two most common causes of leakage are clogged drain line and a broken condensate pump. No matter what the cause of the leak is, a professional should be called in to deal with the problem.
Your AC unit is causing high energy bills
If your home energy bills have been unusually high lately, this could be a sign that your cooling system is in need of repair or replacement. This could be an indicator that your AC system is struggling and working too hard to get the job done because of failing parts. This results in the thermostat not being satisfied and making the motor run longer, causing high electric bills. If neglected, this can go on till the unit completely breaks down.
A properly-functioning air conditioning system is one of the major keys to making your home more comfortable and inviting. If you notice any of the three signs mentioned with your home’s AC unit, it is recommended to not tackle any of these issues yourself. Repairing an AC is not something you can just look up on the internet and learn in a few minutes. Call your trusted professional and get your AC working the way it should.
