An air conditioner is the perfect appliance for combating the summer heat. However, all the hard work of keeping your home cool can result in some wear and tear. Knowing the signs of an issue will allow you to schedule AC repairs well before a breakdown occurs. Here are a few of the indicators a problem is lurking.

How to Tell if You Need AC Repairs

1. Warm Air Blowing Out of Vents

Many times when air is blowing warm, it's because the thermostat was accidentally set to heat or fan instead of cool. If yours is on the correct setting and not producing cool air, it might be due to an airflow restriction. This increased temperature could be caused by a dirty air filter, dirty coils, a tripped circuit breaker, or even a failing compressor. Having an HVAC contractor inspect the system will be the fastest way to diagnose the issue and find a solution.

2. Squealing, Buzzing, or Banging Sounds

A good working air conditioning system is generally pretty quiet. When it starts making odd noises, it's often a sign of a broken or failing part. Banging, for instance, tends to indicate there is a loose rod, piston, or crankshaft inside the compressor. A buzzing sound could point to a failing fan motor, lose fan blades, or a dirty condenser unit. If you hear a buzzing and the air isn't blowing cold inside your home, you likely have a refrigerant leak. If it isn't normal for your unit to squeal upon startup, the fan motor or blower could be failing.

3. High Humidity Level Inside Home

Part of an air conditioner's job is to pull moisture out of the air to make the home more comfortable. If you notice damp spots on your walls or start to feel clammy and uncomfortable while you're just sitting in a room, schedule AC repairs immediately. The unit is not ventilating water vapor out of the home as it should, and most likely points to a clogged condensate pan or drain lines. There could also be an issue with the evaporator coils.

If your air conditioner is operating out of the ordinary, contact the technicians at Lakes Heating & Air Conditioning. For over 45 years, this family business has provided Akron, OH, with residential and commercial HVAC services — including heating and AC repairs and installations. They are also an approved dealer for Armstrong Air®, Mitsubishi Electric®, and Lennox® products. Call them today at (330) 644-7811 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their whole-home cooling services.