Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!
We highly recommend scheduling an AC tune-up each year right before summer. This will ensure your cooling system runs efficiently, lasts longer, and performs at its best. As a result, you’ll notice improved comfort, lower energy bills, and fewer unexpected breakdowns. If you’re not sure whether you need a tune-up, here are 17 signs it might be time to call in the pros.
The blower motor is responsible for pushing air through the air vents. When it experiences problems, you might feel weak airflow or hear strange noises. A failing blower motor can be expensive to fix, but a tune-up will help catch issues early and keep it running smoothly.
If you place your hand over an air vent and the air is barely blowing out, there’s definitely something wrong. Other possible causes include dirty ductwork, a clogged air filter, or any other number of problems. A tune-up can swiftly determine the exact cause and restore your system’s optimal performance.
If the AC blows air but it’s warm, there’s a chance the refrigerant is low. When this happens, it means there’s a leak somewhere, most likely in the refrigerant line. However, it could also be due to a dirty coil or a faulty compressor. During a tune-up, an HVAC technician will inspect the refrigerant lines, coils, and compressor to pinpoint the exact cause.
Do you notice some rooms staying cooler than others? This means the AC isn’t evenly spreading cool air throughout the house. A failing blower is a common reason for this problem. A tune-up will figure out the cause and address the uneven cooling.
Air conditioners typically make a variety of sounds, like humming or buzzing, especially when they first turn on. Sounds that you should worry about include rattling, banging, grinding, or screeching.
These noises indicate loose parts, damaged components, or a lack of lubrication. They could also point to a worn-out fan or clogged air filter. A tune-up involves inspecting and lubricating parts so the AC performs quietly and doesn’t disrupt your comfort.
If you notice a musty smell when the AC turns on, it could be mold or bacterial growth. We’ll clean all drain pans and evaporator coils during a tune-up, which may take care of the bad odor. If it doesn’t, you might need to schedule air duct inspection and cleaning.
If you notice your cooling bills increase without any changes to your daily routine, the AC might have low refrigerant. This, of course, means there’s a leak somewhere. It could also mean dirty air filters or blocked ducts. A tune-up will help keep your cooling costs affordable by identifying and fixing any issues.
Your AC should kick on, cool the house, and then turn off. Normal cycles are around 10 to 20 minutes, two or three times an hour. If it keeps turning on and off really fast, we call this short cycling. If not addressed, it could translate into overheating and damaged components that are expensive to fix. It also dramatically increases electricity use and can shorten the system’s lifespan. A tune-up can find the issue so you can have it fixed before the problem gets out of hand.
If you adjust the thermostat and nothing happens, this is a red flag for a wiring problem or dead batteries. We’ll calibrate and test the thermostat during the tune-up to ensure it communicates effectively with the AC.
The AC should never have any ice buildup on it. If it does, it probably has low refrigerant or something blocking its airflow. Either way, a tune-up will identify leaks and ensure proper airflow to prevent further issues.
If you notice water leaking around the unit, schedule a tune-up right away. The condensate drain line might have a clog in it, or the pump may not be functioning properly. The tune-up process will clear any blockages and inspect the pump so you don’t have to deal with water damage or potential system failure.
If your allergies act up more than usual, the AC might have a problem filtering the air. This is usually due to a clogged filter, but it could also be a dirty coil or dusty vents. Fixing air quality issues during a tune-up is crucial to improving comfort and reducing allergy symptoms.
Your AC shouldn’t move around when it kicks on and off, nor should it shake while it’s running. If it does, this most likely means something went wrong during the installation. Ignoring this problem may cause significant damage. As we perform maintenance during a tune-up, we’ll inspect the mounting and check for loose components. We might have to tighten the fasteners or add support brackets.
Most cooling systems last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. If yours is getting close to this age, scheduling regular tune-ups is more important. Cleaning, tightening connections, and checking refrigerant levels will help the system last longer and perform better.
When the outdoor unit turns on but the fan doesn’t spin, the AC won’t cool your house. The cause of this could be a motor issue or a broken belt—both of which a technician can handle during a tune-up.
Does turning on your air conditioner cause the circuit breaker to trip? This is a common indicator of an electrical issue or excessive power consumption. As part of the tune-up, we’ll inspect the wiring and test components to prevent the AC from tripping the breaker.
A burning smell is never a good sign. It might indicate overheating wires or a failing motor. Turning off the unit right away and scheduling a tune-up is the best way to prevent serious damage and keep your home safe.
A frozen coil can block airflow and prevent your AC from doing its job. This can happen due to dirty filters, low refrigerant, or a broken fan. A tune-up can help find the cause and fix it.
Ready & Able Plumbing, Heating & Air is a go-to provider of AC tune-ups in Harrisburg, PA. We recommend scheduling one before summer rolls around so your AC can perform with peak efficiency when you need it most. In addition to maintenance visits, we also offer repairs and installations for cooling systems of all types.
Call Ready & Able Plumbing, Heating & Air now to book a professional AC tune-up in Harrisburg.
Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!