Summer’s Not Over Yet: Is Your Air Conditioner Ready for the Final Stretch?

You don’t need us to tell you that Virginian summers can be oppressively hot. There’s no two ways around it: there are days you just need an air conditioner. And although this summer is almost over, it’s not quite time to take the victory lap just yet.

We’ve still got a fair few weeks of heat left before it’s time to dust off the heating equipment. That means your cooling unit has that much more work to do before the off-season. But will it last that long? There are a few tell-tale signs to look out for that indicate that your AC unit is on it’s way out and/or needs service. 

System Age: As a general rule, a good air conditioner will last between 10-15 years with proper maintenance and care. If your system is over a decade old, it may be time to consider a replacement. 

Leaks: It’s rare that a leaking appliance is a good thing. If you notice a pool of water accumulating around the unit, it’s past time to call in the professionals. 

Warm Air: Again, a fairly obvious sign something is wrong. Your AC unit is supposed to bring in cold air to bring the temperature down. If the opposite is happening, your unit is actively hurting your efforts to keep your home cool. 

Loud, Clanging Noises: Some ACs are quieter than others, for sure, but abrasive clanking noises are never a good sign. If your unit begins making noises that sound bad, it’s time to pick up the phone. 

Foul Smells: Nobody likes a bad stench, even more so when it comes to your AC unit. Bad smells from your air conditioner can be from mold, mildew, or even a burnt wire. No matter what the case, a bad smell from your AC is definitely not good. 

High Humidity: Humidity is probably the one thing that’s even worse than the heat. And if your AC is making your home more humid, it’s counterintuitive to have it on in the first place. 

Your Energy Bill is Going Up: If the warmer months cause your energy bill to rise dramatically, you probably have a problem on your hands. While an AC unit does consume power it shouldn’t be enough to fluctuate your power bill all that dramatically. That is, if everything is working as it’s supposed to. 

You need your AC to hold out a couple more weeks before the end of the cooling season. If you’re experiencing one or more of the above issues, you may be on a collision course with a broken-down unit. To help your unit close out the season strong it may be time to have your system serviced because summer isn’t over yet.

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