When it comes to living in Florida, there are a few things that you absolutely must have going for you. The first is a keen sense of the weather and an awareness of how far away the lightning is. The second is a love for the water — our beaches, rivers, and lakes are second to none in the nation. And finally, and most importantly, you’ve got to have a reliable air conditioner. 

The heat and humidity in our state make for a dangerous combination to those who are unprepared, and they can also cause damage to your home when you fail to regulate the amount of humidity inside all day long.

As such, making sure that your AC is in good working order is crucial to comfortably and safely enjoy your time in the Sunshine State. At Howard Services Air Conditioning, we have half a century of experience serving locals from Jacksonville south to St. Augustine with their heating and cooling needs.

In today’s blog from your local AC repair, maintenance, and installation experts, we will share five important things to monitor about your air conditioning to make sure that you catch any red flags early on.

To learn more about all of our residential and commercial air conditioning repair, maintenance, and AC installation services, visit us online at www.howardserviceshvac.com, or fill out our online form to schedule a service appointment with one of our highly trained technicians.

Poor Airflow or Lack of Cool, Refreshing Air

Within just a couple of minutes of your AC kicking on, you should be able to feel a gentle airflow throughout your home or office. Additionally, if you approach a vent and hold your hand over it, there should be a noticeable difference between the cool, refreshing air coming out of your vent and the air in the warmer house that it is working to cool.

If the airflow is poor, weak, or non-existent from your air conditioning unit, then you have a problem. It could be a small one, such as a loose connection somewhere in the system. Or it could be something much more drastic — something like a burnt-out fan motor. If the air isn’t cool, then chances are good that there is something vitally wrong with the system, and you should contact an air conditioning repair and maintenance professional right away.

An Excess Buildup of Moisture

The science and mechanics behind air compression for air cooling require that there be some small amount of moisture discharge derived from the conversion of warm air to cool air. However, your AC system is designed to handle and safely divert this moisture away from important components of your air conditioner.

If you notice a moderate to a large amount of fluid around or in your AC unit, you might have a problem on your hands. Excess moisture can exist due to a failing compressor, refrigerant leak, or other problem with your air conditioner. These problems can range from minor to dangerous, in the case of a chemical leak. Make sure to have a trained AC technician address the problem before it gets any worse.

Odd Sounds

Unless you just moved into a new home or office, you more or less know what your air conditioner starting and running sounds like. Most units are designed to be relatively quiet, so if you begin to feel that your AC has gotten louder or is making other unusual noises, call a professional air conditioning repair company like Howard Services Air Conditioning.

These noises — be they bangs, pops, squeals, or grinding sounds —are typically a pretty clear indicator that your air conditioning isn’t working the way it should be, even if the airflow is strong and the air is cool. Make sure to contact an AC repair specialist right away.

Odd Smells

The same goes for any kind of funny smells that are coming from your vents while your AC is running. Although some smells, such as smoke or smoldering, will ring alarm bells in your mind right away, there can be other, more subtle smells, that also indicate a problem is developing in your HVAC system.

As a good rule of thumb, if at any point your mind triggers you to think, “does my AC smell the way it should?,” then it’s time to schedule a maintenance or inspection for your unit.

Increasingly High Energy Bills

One of the most subtle and oft-ignored red flags that your air conditioning is overdue for a tuneup — or possibly more — is a parade of ever-increasing energy bills in your mailbox. Paying close attention to monthly charges during the hot months and comparing recent months’ bills to those of summers past can provide evidence that your AC may need some love, or just plain old be wearing out.

Stay on top of this excellent data, delivered to your mailbox or online utility account on a monthly basis, to avoid the development of serious problems you could have caught earlier.

Get in Touch With Howard Services Air Conditioning Today

For air conditioning repairs, AC maintenance, and AC installation that you can trust, turn to the team that Florida residents and commercial operations have trusted since 1969. Our technicians are courteous, highly trained, and able to help you quickly return to a comfortable indoor environment. 

Call us directly, or visit us online to submit a request for a service or repair appointment for your air conditioning unit today.