With summer quickly approaching, many Kansas City residents are checking to make sure their air conditioner works properly. A broken air conditioner can mean big trouble for you and your home when temperatures begin to rise, so it’s important to test it before the summer heat really sets in. At Cates Heating and Cooling, we want to keep your home comfortable year-round and avoid many common problems with your AC. 

As a full-service HVAC company in Lenexa, Kansas, our team has fixed many air conditioning problems since opening in 1973. While you still want to call an experienced technician to fix your broken air conditioner, knowing the signs your AC is broken is important for a fast repair. From a blown motor to a leaking unit, here are the most common signs your air conditioning system needs to be repaired. 

Your Air Conditioner is Blowing Warm Air

Hot air coming from your vents is the most common sign that your air conditioner might be broken. To know for sure, check your thermostat’s temperature settings. Be sure that the temperature is set lower than your house’s current temperature. If warm air is still blowing, there can be many different causes.  

Hot air from your AC unit can occur from faulty airflow, dirty air filters, a damaged evaporator coil, and much more. Working with a professional HVAC technician is your best bet to diagnosing any issues and getting your home back to normal. 

At Cates Heating and Cooling, our experienced team can repair or replace your broken air conditioning system no matter the issue. We’re trained to work on all major brands, so we’ll get your home cool again for the summer months. We also have financing options to fit any budget. 

Your Air Conditioning Makes Loud, Unusual Noises

Proper air conditioning should make only a subtle noise when it starts up and turns off, but loud whistles, rattles, or cranking noises are a common air conditioning problem. These noises could signal a larger problem that may cause your air conditioner to stop working completely if left unchecked. 

Oftentimes, rattling or continuous banging from your unit can indicate a loose part that should be easy to fix. However, a grinding noise might be coming from a loose belt or a faulty compressor. The compressor holds the refrigerant, allowing your air conditioner to cool. 

If left alone, these noises will not just go away; they may even get worse over time. You’ll want to schedule a call with a professional HVAC technician as soon as the noises start, as waiting may create additional problems for your unit. 

There’s a Leak Around Your AC Unit

Water pooling around your air conditioning unit or leaking into your home means your air conditioner needs a repair—or maybe even replacement. Air conditioners hold refrigerant to cool the air as it is pushed into your home. Refrigerant is crucial to your air conditioner working properly, and a leak can be disastrous for both your home and unit. 

The refrigerant should never pool or leak into your home if your air conditioner is working properly. 

If you notice a water leak or a puddle around your AC unit, there could be an issue with your condenser coil. Whether there’s a crack in the coil or a faulty seal, you’ll need to call a professional technician to take a look.   

For refrigerant leaks, it’s best to schedule an appointment with an HVAC company as soon as possible. A simple leak can cause water damage to your home, which could lead to structural damage if left unattended. 

Your House Smells or Feels Humid

Your home should feel comfortable year-round, no matter the weather outside. This is largely due to your HVAC system circulating air. If you notice your home is beginning to feel humid or smell stale, you might want to have your air conditioner looked at. 

Air conditioning systems automatically moderate moisture to eliminate humidity indoors and keep odors at bay. Typically, if either is happening in your home, your air conditioner might need a tune-up. Common causes of humidity and smells in your home from your air conditioner can be from a dirty air filter or improper airflow. 

To resolve this, the experts at Cates Heating and Cooling can check your system to ensure it’s properly functioning. We can also schedule a full cleaning of your HVAC system to fight humidity and odors. 

Your Utility Bills Have Gone Up

If you haven’t noticed any issues with your air conditioner but your utility bills continue to go up after you turned your AC on, it might be worth having an HVAC expert inspect your unit. While not the most common problem, a spike in utility costs can mean your air conditioner isn’t working efficiently. 

If your utility costs continue to rise, the unit might be working but your ductwork might need to be replaced. The ductwork in your HVAC system is responsible for pushing treated air through your house. Cold air from your air conditioner can escape from your ducts if there are any breaks in the seals, resulting in your unit working harder to keep your home comfortable. 

As a full-service HVAC team, Cates Heating and Cooling can quickly diagnose any issue your system might have. Often, an AC technician might not identify issues unless they are in the AC unit itself. At Cates, we understand the relationship each piece of your HVAC system has with  all the other parts. If the problem with your air conditioner starts from your ductwork system, you can trust the experts at Cates to fix it. 

What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Is Broken

If you experience any of these common problems with your air conditioner, the first step is to call an HVAC company near you. The faster a technician can get out to inspect your unit, the better off your AC will be. If ignored, these problems can create larger and more expensive issues for your HVAC system. 

With Cates Heating and Cooling, our full-service HVAC technicians in Kansas City provide same-day, 24/7 emergency service to your home’s utilities. Our team is trained on all major air conditioner brands, and we are available to fix any issue you’re experiencing with your air conditioning system. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, give us a call. For Kansas residents, call 913-888-4470. For Missouri residents, call 816-944-1844.