Is My AC Unit Dying?

There is nothing more frustrating than coming home from a long day of work only to walk into a steaming hot home. While no one can completely prepare for this, there are certain warning signs a homeowner can look for, that show an air conditioner is having problems. Here are a few signs:

• Running loudly. One of the first signs an air conditioner is having problems is when it starts to run loudly. Air conditioners should be almost completely silent and should certainly not be audible within the home. If you notice that it is exceptionally loud when kicking on, sounds like it is grinding when it runs or just sounds like it is off. Chances are it’s having problems. 
  
  
• Spikes in your energy bills. While there are bound to be fluctuations based upon usage, if it seems like your energy bills have climbed for no apparent reason, it is a sign that your air conditioner is struggling to work.
  
  
• Another sign that your air conditioner has a problem is pools of water around the unit. If there is a leak in the unit or if something is frozen, it is a sign that the air conditioner is having problems. This is especially true if your unit is more than ten years old. If you notice that there is moisture around a unit, it is time to have your air conditioner inspected.