Some signs that your air conditioner is not working properly include the air blowing warm, utility bills increasing dramatically despite normal usage, and your A/C running constantly. Other indications your A/C is not working properly are any new or abnormal sounds and/or smells coming from or being caused by your unit. If you notice any of these issues, it is advised to have an HVAC technician inspect, diagnose, and get your A/C working properly again.

There are a few things to check for before calling for a repair on your A/C unit. Check that the furnace filter isn’t clogged and that the air conditioner is on and set to a temperature that will cause it to cycle. Additionally, check that the thermostat is operational and replace the batteries, if necessary. If you know where the disconnects are located, check those as well, and note if anything smells, looks, or sounds unusual before calling for a repair on your A/C unit.

If your air conditioner is having major trouble, it might not need one repair, but multiple major repairs. The cost of a major repair on your A/C can be just as expensive as buying a whole new unit, entirely. If your air conditioner is nearing the end of its lifespan, and if the repair cost is over 50% of the air conditioner itself, consider replacing your air conditioning system all together.