The heat is unbearable, and the house almost feels like a furnace. Luckily, you have a great air conditioning system to keep your home cool; or so you thought. The moment you attempt to turn it on, nothing happens. You later find out that it has some serious problems that are going to be difficult and expensive to fix.

Bad luck? Maybe, but there’s a good chance that you can prevent this from happening. Air conditioners are very reliable, and they rarely just break down. There are almost always symptoms that tip you off that something’s wrong, and that you need to have it checked immediately.

With the kind of temperatures we are dealing with these days, the last thing you need is a broken air conditioning system to make matters worse. Here are some of the signs you should look for to keep the cool air blowing.

1. Rooms take a long time to cool – Many people just shrug this off, thinking that they only have to wait a few more minutes for the rooms to cool anyway. While this is often just a coolant issue, it can also be a sign of a more serious problem. If so, getting it fixed quickly can save you a great deal of money.

2. The airflow is unusually weak – Your filter is usually the main culprit here, and fixing the problem is as simple as cleaning or replacing the filter. This will also help keep the air quality in your home good. When the filter is fine, this could be a problem with the blower.

3. Your air conditioner is noisy – An unusually high level of noise is not only annoying, but also a cause for worry. Modern air conditioners are supposed to be very efficient and quiet. Loud noises are usually a sign of loose or disconnected parts, or a problem with the motor.

4. High electricity bill – You probably have a clear idea of the energy your air conditioning unit consumes, so a sudden spike is a valid concern. It could mean that your system is working harder than normal.

Generally, you should be concerned when your air conditioning system is not performing up to par in any way. Prevention is better than cure, and the best way to avoid costly repairs is by scheduling regular maintenance on your unit. Give us a call today.