I thought I’d share some tell-tale signs that your AC might need fixing or replacing since we’re getting into the warmer months!
As someone who once suffered through a whole July with a barely functioning air conditioner, trust me when I say you don’t want to wait until it completely dies on you.
Let’s start with the basics…
Common Signs You Need Air Conditioning Repair
Your AC has probably been trying to tell you something’s wrong long before it stops working. Kind of like how your body gives you little warnings before you get sick. Most of us just ignore those signs until we’re sweating in our living rooms wondering what went wrong!
Weak or Warm Air Flow Coming from Vents
You know that feeling when you stand in front of your vent expecting a nice cool breeze but get barely anything? That’s not normal! I noticed this last summer and kept thinking “maybe it just needs to run longer” but nope. Turns out my air filter was so clogged it was practically suffocating my poor AC unit.
About 75% of AC repair calls are actually related to restricted airflow issues. Check your filters first before calling a pro. It might save you some money and embarrassment!
Strange Noises
Our AC unit started making this weird rattling sound last year. I kept telling my husband it sounded like there was a tiny drummer inside our unit. We ignored it for weeks thinking it wasn’t a big deal.
Banging, grinding, squealing, or clicking noises are all your AC’s way of waving a giant red flag saying “help me!” Different sounds can indicate different problems:
Grinding or squealing? Could be a belt issue or motor bearings Rattling? Might be a loose part Clicking? Could be an electrical issue
Don’t be like us and wait until that tiny drummer turns into a full rock band!
Unusual Odors
If your AC starts smelling funky, pay attention! My sister once described her AC smell as “wet dog mixed with old gym socks” which turned out to be mold in her ductwork. Nobody wants that circulating through their home!
Musty smells usually mean mold or mildew Burning smells could be electrical issues Chemical smells might indicate a refrigerant leak
Trust your nose on this one. It’s usually right.
High Humidity Levels
Your air conditioner should be removing humidity from your home. If you start feeling sticky and damp inside even with the AC running, something’s not right.
We had this problem last summer and I could tell because my hair was as frizzy inside as it was outside! Plus, the windows were constantly foggy. Not ideal when you’re trying to escape the outdoor sauna.
System Turning On and Off Frequently
Is your AC playing some kind of start-stop game? This is called short cycling and it’s bad news for your system. It’s like if you kept turning your car on and off every few minutes during a road trip. Not exactly efficient!
Our neighbor’s unit was doing this and their energy bills shot through the roof because the system never got to run efficiently. Plus it wore out their compressor way faster than normal.
Sudden Increase in Energy Bills
Speaking of bills! If yours suddenly jumps without explanation, your AC might be working harder than it should be. I nearly fell off my chair when I opened our July bill last year. It was almost $100 higher than normal!
The average home AC uses about 3,000-5,000 watts per hour when running. If it’s struggling due to a problem, that number can go way up. That’s money literally disappearing into thin air!
Uneven Cooling
Some rooms feeling like Antarctica while others feel like the Sahara? That’s not just annoying, it’s a sign something’s wrong.
We had this issue in our last house. The living room was perfectly cool but our bedroom was always stuffy. Turned out we had leaky ducts that were losing all the cool air before it reached that side of the house.
Leaks or Moisture Around Unit
Water and air conditioners don’t mix well outside of normal condensation. If you spot puddles or active dripping, something’s definitely wrong.
My cousin ignored water leaking from her AC for weeks. By the time she called someone, the water had damaged her ceiling and she ended up with a repair bill three times what it would have been. Don’t be like my cousin!
Signs You May Need a New AC Installation
Sometimes fixing just isn’t enough. Here are some signs it might be time to say goodbye to your old unit.
Older System
AC units aren’t meant to last forever. Even well-maintained systems typically last about 15-20 years. If yours is getting up there in age, replacement might make more sense than repairs.
Our first home had an AC unit from the early 90s that was still chugging along when we moved in. We spent about $800 fixing it that first year before realizing we were throwing good money after bad.
Frequent Repairs within Short Time
If your AC repair person is starting to feel like a member of the family because they visit so often, it might be time for a new system.
I know a family who spent over $1,200 on three separate repairs in one summer. They could have put that money toward a new, more efficient system instead of band-aiding their old one.
Uses R-22 Refrigerant (Freon)
This is a big one! If your system uses R-22, which was phased out in 2020, repairs will be super expensive since this refrigerant is no longer produced.
My parents learned this lesson the hard way when their AC needed more refrigerant and the bill was astronomical. The technician told them it would keep getting more expensive every time.
System Makes Too Much Noise or Vibration
Modern AC systems are pretty quiet. If yours sounds like a small airplane taking off in your backyard, newer technology might give you some peace and quiet.
We replaced our ancient unit last year and the difference in noise level was amazing. I can actually hear birds chirping now instead of mechanical groaning!
Outdated Technology
Newer AC systems are WAY more efficient than older ones. If your system was installed before 2006, you could save up to 40% on cooling costs with a newer model.
Our new unit paid for itself within a few years just in energy savings. Plus it has smart features that let us control the temperature from our phones, which feels very fancy!
Reduced Cooling Capacity
If your AC is running constantly but still can’t keep up, it might be undersized for your home or just losing its cooling capacity with age.
My in-laws added an extension to their home but kept the same AC unit. It worked overtime trying to cool the extra space but never quite managed. They finally upgraded to an appropriately sized system and the difference was night and day.
Repair vs. Replacement: Which One Should You Go For?
This is always the big question! Here’s a quick way to think about it:
Consider replacement if: Your system is over 15 years old The repair would cost more than 50% of a new system You’re facing a major component failure like the compressor You’ve already had multiple repairs recently Your energy bills keep climbing You use R-22 refrigerant
A guys who was giving AC repair services in Manchester, NH, gave us this rule of thumb: multiply the age of your unit by the repair cost. If it exceeds $5,000, replacement is usually smarter than repair.
For example, a $350 repair on a 10-year-old unit would be $3,500 (10 × 350), so repair makes sense. But a $700 repair on an 18-year-old unit would be $12,600 (18 × 700), so replacement is better.
Final Thoughts
Nobody gets excited about AC repairs or replacements. It’s not exactly as fun as redecorating your living room! But catching problems early can save you from sweating it out during the hottest days of summer.
I’ve been on both sides of this. I’ve ignored problems until my AC completely died during a 95-degree week, and I’ve also caught issues early and saved myself the headache. Trust me when I say the proactive approach is MUCH better!
Regular maintenance is truly your best friend here. Having your system checked yearly can catch many of these issues before they become big problems. It’s like going to the dentist – not the most fun thing ever, but way better than needing a root canal
