Learning About HVAC Contractor Services

When your central air conditioner won't turn on or isn't putting out cool air, it's always an immediate and easily recognizable sign of a problem. However, there are a few air conditioner troubles that can go unnoticed for quite some time if you don't know about the more subtle symptoms they can produce. Here are a few signs of air conditioner problems that are easy to overlook.

Your Home is Unevenly Cooled

A central air conditioner is designed to transfer air evenly through the entirety of your home. If you notice that some of your rooms are staying cooler than others, you shouldn't ignore the possibility of a duct leak. Because your ducts are always out of sight behind your home's walls, an uneven temperature distribution throughout the home is one of the first signs of a leak that you are likely to notice.

In many cases, uneven cooling indicates that there is a leak in the duct work that leads to the room that isn't getting adequate cooling. However, the problem can sometimes be in the return duct that delivers air back to your HVAC system to be cooled and recycled.

Your Utility Bill is Steadily Increasing

Even for the most astute budget balancers, a long-term upward creep of a few cents per month can be easy to overlook. If your utility bill is steadily increasing without a significant change in how you cool your home, it is a clear indicator that your air conditioner is losing efficiency.

There are several possible causes for reduced efficiency of your air conditioner, one of which is simply the age of your system. All central air conditioners lose efficiency as they near the end of their life span, so you may want to interpret your rising energy bill as an advance warning that your system needs to be inspected and/or replaced soon.

Another common cause of reduced efficiency is reduced air flow. Cleaning or replacing your furnace filter at least once a month and trimming weeds and shrubs away from the outdoor condenser are two easy ways to reduce how hard your system has to work to circulate air through your home. The easier it is for your air conditioner to circulate air, the less energy it will use to do so and the less you will pay per month.

Keep an eye out for these less noticeable signs of central air conditioner problems so you can avoid unnecessary energy usage and unexpected breakdowns. Visit this website for more information on HVAC issues.