When it comes to life in Florida, there are a lot of things that are easy to love, especially access to rivers, lakes, oceans, and therefore, access to watersports and recreation. Fishing, boating, and hanging out in and around the water are incredibly popular. And, that makes sense because our waterfront areas are some of the best in the nation, especially here on the Gulf Coast side in Gainesville.

However, aside from all of the beauty that we have here in Gainesville, we also have the infamous four-Hs of Florida: hail, hurricanes, heat, and humidity. These four elements can make life unbearable at times. That is unless you have an air conditioner that you know you can rely on.

Making sure that your AC unit is in good working order and ready for whatever the Florida climate and weather can throw at you is one of the things that any seasoned Gainesville resident makes sure to keep at the top of their priority list all year round.

Here at Buckhalter Heating & Air Conditioning, taking care of your air conditioner so that it’s running the way it should when it should is kind of our thing. However, you won’t know when to call us out for AC maintenance and repairs unless you know what to look for, so in today’s blog from the AC repair team that Gainesville trusts, we’re going to identify five signs to be on the lookout for.

If you experience or notice any of these, then it’s time to get on the phone or the internet and schedule an AC repair service with Buckhalter Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving the Gainesville area for over 50 years, and no one will provide you with a more reliable, honest service than our team of AC repair technicians. 

Higher Energy Bills Than Normal

One of the most subtle and often ignored signs that your air conditioning is overdue for a tuneup — or possibly a repair — is a series of increasing or higher than usual energy bills. Pay close attention to monthly charges during the hot summer months and compare recent months’ bills to those of summers past. If you notice significant changes, your AC unit may be to blame.

Stay on top of this information, and review your bills and online account on a monthly basis to avoid the development of serious problems you could have caught earlier.

Weak Airflow 

Within just a couple of moments of your AC turning on, you should be able to feel a cool, gentle airflow throughout your home or office. If you check a vent and hold your hand over it, there should be a noticeable difference between the cool air coming out of your vent and the air in the warmer house that it is working to cool.

If the airflow is weak or non-existent from your air conditioning unit, then you have a problem you need to look into. It could be a small one, like a loose connection somewhere in the system. Or, it could be something much more serious — like a burned-up fan motor. If the air isn’t cool at all, then chances are good that there is something wrong with the system, and you need to contact an air conditioning repair professional right away.

Irregular Sounds

Unless you just moved into a new home or office, you probably know what your air conditioner starting up and running sounds like. Many units, especially newer ones, are designed to be relatively quiet. So, if you start to feel like your AC system has gotten louder or is making other irregular noises, call  the AC experts at Buckhalter Heating & Air Conditioning sooner rather than later.

These noises — be they thumps, clicks, squeals, or grinding noises —are usually a clear sign that your air conditioning isn’t working the way it should be, even if the airflow is strong and the air is cool. Make sure to contact an AC repair specialist right away.

Bad Smells

The same goes for any kind of bad smell that is coming from your vents while your AC unit is on. Some smells, such as smoke or smoldering, will ring alarm bells in your brain right away. However, there can be other, more subtle smells, that also indicate a problem is lurking in your HVAC system.

As a good rule of thumb, if at any point your mind triggers you to think, “does my AC smell the way it should?” then it’s time to schedule a maintenance or inspection for your air conditioner.

A Buildup of Moisture

The science behind air compression for air cooling requires there be some amount of moisture discharge derived from the conversion of warm air to cool air. However, your AC system is designed to handle and divert this moisture away from important components.

If you notice a moderate to a large amount of fluid around, or in, your AC unit, you might have a problem. Excess moisture can exist because of a failing compressor, a refrigerant leak, or from some other problem with your air conditioner. These problems can range from minor to dangerous, in the case of a chemical leak. Make sure to have a trained AC technician from Buckhalter Heating & Air Conditioning check it out before it gets any worse.

Schedule An AC Service Appointment With Buckhalter Heating & Air Conditioning

When it comes to ensuring that you’re protected against the ravages of summer heat and humidity, no one does it better than the experienced and thorough AC repair techs at Buckhalter Heating & Air Conditioning. Schedule your appointment today.