Why Should You Call an Air Conditioning Service and Repair Pro When You Have an A/C Problem?

When your air conditioner isn't working optimally, you run the risk of being uncomfortable, damaging your unit permanently, and paying far higher energy bills than you should. Circumvent these problems by contacting an air conditioning services professional at the first sign of trouble.

Anyone who lives in a climate that reaches temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit knows that having a functioning air conditioner during the summer months isn't a luxury--it's a necessity. Yet many of us tempt fate by going along with air units that don't quite do the job. Find out when you should call on a professional air conditioning repair service for maintenance or repair work, and why it's in your best interest to do so sooner rather than later once you know there's a problem.

There are a number of common issues that can come up with central air conditioning units. These include:

* Excess Noise
* Insufficient Cooling
* Excessive Cooling
* Leaks
* Frozen Coils
* Fan Running Without Compressor
* Compressor Running Without Fan

If any of these, or other, problems arise, there are two things you can do just to make sure there's really something wrong. First, check your thermostat and make sure that it's set at the appropriate temperature. Second, make sure that the area around your exterior unit is clear of debris, weeds, grass, and anything else that might be blocking the free flow of air. If neither of these actions solves the problem, you should call on air conditioning contractors. Unless you have precise knowledge of how your air conditioning system works, how to access all of the control panels, and how to determine what part is at fault, you should leave anything beyond very basic maintenance to the experts.

If your air conditioner is exhibiting one of the above symptoms but it still seems like it mostly works, it can be tempting to just live with the so-so performance and avoid the cost of air conditioner repair. This, however, is a recipe for disaster. When one element of your air conditioning unit isn't working correctly, it puts more strain on all the other parts. At the end of the day, this means that you're putting your whole unit at risk if you don't address a noticeable problem right away. Instead of paying for a reasonable repair, you may be setting yourself up to replace your entire system.

In addition to putting your unit at risk for further damage, ignoring a faulty air conditioner is also going to put you in the position of paying more than you should on your power bill. An air conditioner that makes a funny noise, leaks, or has coils that have frozen up isn't running efficiently. The unit doesn't take less power when it's not working well--it might even take in more. However, you're probably not getting the benefit of a cool, comfortable home. Don't pay more than you need to in order to run an air conditioner that's only partly working. Call your local air conditioning contractor and get your unit back on the right track.

Air conditioners are essential to modern life, and air conditioning service is essential to healthy units. Know what symptoms of a faulty unit to look for, and why it's worth your while to get it seen to in a timely manner when there is a problem.