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You can’t take chances with summers in Southern Wisconsin. When you have to contend with high temperatures and the occasional heavy thunderstorm, a functioning AC is a must-have.
Hot and humid weather makes even the lower summer temperatures feel unbearably sticky, so cold drinks and hand fans won’t cut it. If you haven’t checked your air conditioning system in the past few months, take a minute to review this guide. You may have a few warning signs that your AC is about to break in Wind Point, WI.
5 Signs Your AC Will Break Down Soon
Ever been stuck without air conditioning in the summer and left to use a desk fan or wet towel to cool you off? If you spot even one of these problems below, it’s worth calling for air conditioning service just to be safe.
1. Weak Airflow
You shouldn’t have to wait hours for your home to get cool. You also shouldn’t have one room get freezing cold while another feels like stepping into a sauna.
Weak airflow can be a major sign that your cooling system has several internal problems preventing it from distributing cool air. You may have a failed blower that can’t move air through your ductwork, or a frozen evaporator coil due to low refrigerant.
However, it’s important to note that a few other details can affect your airflow, too. If you live in an older home, you may have leaky ducts or chronic draftiness, making it hard to retain a cool temperature. A little process of elimination will determine if other parts of the house are to blame or if your air conditioner is about to collapse.
2. Poor Cooling
The only thing worse for your cooling system than weak airflow is lackluster cooling. You should be getting nice blasts of cold air within seconds of turning your system on, not a weak trickle.
Poor cooling can be a sign of low refrigerant, an important substance for helping your AC turn warm air into cool air. You may also be dealing with a failed capacitor that can’t provide adequate power to your system in the first place.
If your system is getting older, such as eight years or higher, then you may even be dealing with several of these issues at once.
3. Gradually Rising Energy Bills
It’s likely your AC is about to break in Wind Point if your energy bills increase without any discernible reason. An energy-inefficient system just can’t provide an equal exchange of cooling and energy usage.
A low SEER rating can look like using up too much energy only to provide cooling that barely lingers. Over time, you might try to adapt by turning on your system more often, but you just end up wasting more money.
Poorly maintained cooling systems also tend to use up too much energy. They might struggle to move air through dirty filters, use up more power with worn-out motors, and constantly short-cycle.
4. Constant Repairs
One of the most alarming AC or HVAC warning signs in Wind Point, WI, is needing a major repair job. Your system might shut down for no apparent reason or blow out hot air instead of cold.
Needing a repair job once every few years is nothing to be worried about. If you have to call for multiple repairs in a single year, that’s a system that’s on its last legs. You likely have multiple parts failing and creating a domino effect that’s better off with a full replacement.
5. Strange Noises and Odors
If your cooling system smells dusty or musty after turning it on, that’s usually a call to replace the filter. Smelling rotten eggs, burning, or chemicals is another matter entirely and needs immediate help.
All these smells point to a serious failure that could cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, so turn your system off and get a technician ASAP.
You should also not be hearing rattling, squealing, or clanking, either. These sounds usually mean some parts are coming loose and will likely cause a full-blown shutdown.
The Cost of Ignoring These Warning Signs
A failing AC or HVAC system isn’t something that gets better on its own. If you don’t get a technician on the case, you might deal with:
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A complete shutdown in the middle of summer
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Even higher energy bills over time
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Worse indoor air quality
There’s a silver lining to knowing your AC is about to break in Wind Point. You may find that a new energy-efficient installation is much better suited to your home, such as a dual-fuel HVAC or ductless split system.
The Benefits of Annual Maintenance
Just like you get regular cleanings at the dentist to reduce the risk of cavities, your system needs check-ups to reduce the risk of a breakdown. Annual maintenance, even when your cooling system looks just fine, comes with multiple long-term benefits.
Fix or Replace Worn-Out Parts Early
Older systems often face a ripple effect of one worn-out part affecting the next. For example, poorly lubricated motors force the system to work too hard, eventually creating higher energy bills.
Another example could be a broken fan motor reducing your system’s airflow, forcing it to stay on too long and risking overheating in particularly hot weather.
A technician can lubricate, clean, or outright replace these parts so everything works smoothly. Even better, they can catch potential failures early before they completely fail.
Reduce Excess Strain on Your System
Dirty filters, gunky coils, and dusty vents all force your AC to work far too hard. That strain shows up over time by shortening your system’s lifespan and increasing the chances it’ll shut down out of the blue.
A technician can keep your system running smoothly by rinsing coils, replacing filters, and clearing ductwork.
Extend Your AC’s Lifespan
Want to squeeze a few more years out of your cooling system before getting a replacement? Yearly maintenance will reduce wear and tear with inspections, calibrations, and quick fixes that keep your AC running like new.
Check Your AC Before Summer With Southport
Don’t struggle through a Wind Point summer without knowing your cooling system is up to the task. Southport offers quick inspections, yearly maintenance, and comprehensive repair jobs for all kinds of cooling problems.
We’ve served homeowners in Southern Wisconsin for 15 years, combining our regional knowledge with hands-on expertise in heating, cooling, and plumbing. Not only do we provide ongoing discounts and financing options, but all of our work comes with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Get AC repair in Wisconsin just in time for the summer heat. Fill out our contact form with your questions or schedule an appointment by phone.
