When Should You Tune Up Your AC?

A man is tuning up an air conditioner.

Your air conditioning system is an important part of your home, no matter how often you use it. Unfortunately, even the most well-made AC units can begin to break down or fail if they are not maintained and checked often enough – so a yearly tune-up is always a better option.

But how can you tell if your AC system needs a tune-up? The earlier you can catch potential faults or flaws, the better.

Unusual Noises

If you are noticing any kind of strange noises, then you probably need to get your AC system checked. This usually happens if something is wrong with the internal systems – either the flow of air is being blocked or something has broken.

The exact sound you hear will change depending on the fault: buzzing usually means the air is blocked, while raspy humming means that blades are damaged or slowed. Regardless of the actual sound, though, you will want to get your AC unit checked out as soon as possible.

Inefficient Cooling

An AC unit is primarily meant to cool spaces down. If you notice that the cooling has become less reliable or the unit is not really providing the same amount of cool air that it used to, then something is probably wrong with your AC system, and you need to get it checked as soon as possible.

The faults here could be as simple as a lack of proper cleaning or a low level of refrigerant. However, there is also a chance that it could be something more serious, including electrical faults that might be dangerous to try and resolve all by yourself.

Awful Smells

A bad odor can be a clear sign that something is wrong with your AC system. It could be caused by a dead animal, trapped plant life that is starting to rot, or even a damaged wire that has begun to create a burnt smell every time electricity runs through it. Mold and fungus are two other common culprits.

Dealing with this smell is as simple as properly cleaning and repairing the AC system, but you might need a professional’s help to do so correctly. There is always a chance that the smell is part of a larger problem, and handling it incorrectly can put you in unnecessary danger.

Poor Humidity Control

If your AC unit is not able to handle humidity well, then something may have happened to cause that fault. This could often be due to a low amount of refrigerant, but there are cases where the entire system might have suffered damage without you noticing it.

Obvious Signs of Damage

Finally, there are the situations where your AC unit is obviously faulty – water leaks, sparks, or features that have completely broken. Finding a local specialist that can repair the system is important and might even be urgent if you are in the middle of a heatwave.

For example, tracking down an AC tune up service in Woodland Hills, CA, could be the difference between staying comfortable or accidentally developing heat stroke.

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