{"id":1702,"date":"2022-06-01T10:53:34","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T14:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dehartinc.imarketbeta.com\/blog\/?p=1702"},"modified":"2026-05-13T02:50:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T09:50:51","slug":"key-signs-of-impending-ac-trouble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/key-signs-of-impending-ac-trouble\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Signs of Impending AC Trouble"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ac_trouble.jpg\" alt=\"AC repair technician checking an indoor air conditioning unit with pressure gauges.\n\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Picture this: the heat is rising, you go to the thermostat and set it to your preferred temp (say, 68\u00b0F), and what\u2019s this? Nothing happens. That\u2019s one of the worst situations to find yourself in, especially when the temperature reaches levels that could be dangerous for you and your loved ones. That\u2019s why you need to be aware of key signs that tell you it\u2019s time for <a href=\"\/reno\/hvac\/air-conditioning\/ac-repair-maintenance\" title=\"\">AC repair in Spanish Springs, NV<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will lay out those critical red flags that mean your AC\u2019s life is coming to an end, so you can beat it to the jump and get the repair or upgrade you need before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4 Key Signs There\u2019s Trouble Brewing with Your AC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some things to be on the lookout for, so you can catch any issues early and avoid being without your AC when you need it the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. &nbsp; The Temperature Isn\u2019t Right<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re noticing warm air or you\u2019re needing to turn the thermostat lower and lower to get the desired results, then that\u2019s a surefire sign that something is going wrong with your AC unit. There are a few issues that could be at play here: a malfunctioning capacitor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/ac-repair-101-detecting-a-refrigerant-leak\/\">low refrigerant leak warning signs<\/a>, or perhaps a filter is clogged with dust and debris. The only way to truly know is to have an HVAC specialist come to inspect your system and they will get down to the bottom of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. &nbsp; There\u2019s a Strange or Peculiar Odor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your nose knows, so if you\u2019re smelling something weird coming from the vents, then that\u2019s another surefire sign there\u2019s a problem with your AC unit and it should be investigated. Typically, it may be an odor of rotten eggs, must, mildew, something is burning or really anything that piques your senses. Luckily, a quick look by a heating and cooling expert will be able to quickly diagnose and rectify the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. &nbsp; Your Monthly Energy Bill is Higher Than Usual<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you paying more each month when the energy bill comes in? That\u2019s another clue that your AC unit is working harder than usual and is less efficient. When you see significant spikes, then you need to call someone to come out and immediately to check out where the problem is. \u00a0Following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/energy-efficiency-tips-for-summer\/\">smart summer cooling efficiency tips<\/a> can also help reduce unnecessary strain on your system. In some cases, it will require a brand new cooling system but if caught early enough, it could be a simple repair and that will be all you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. &nbsp; There\u2019s Liquid Around Your AC Unit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you go outside and notice there\u2019s a pool of water or strange liquid around the central AC unit, then it may be time to get a repairman on the line. There are two main cases where you will see a leak coming from the AC unit. The first situation is a water leak, and that means there\u2019s a clog somewhere and the second is that there\u2019s refrigerant leaking from the system. Scheduling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/avoid-cooling-system-problems-with-this-important-service\/\">preventive cooling system maintenance<\/a> can help catch these problems before they interrupt your comfort. In either case, you\u2019ll need a professional to come out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Are you noticing any of these or anything else we didn\u2019t mention here? Contact DeHart Plumbing, Heating &amp; Air today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. 40 Years in Business Serving Reno, NV &amp; Surrounding Areas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: What are the most common signs your AC needs repair?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Common warning signs include warm air from the vents, weak or uneven cooling, strange odors, rising energy bills, and liquid around the outdoor AC unit. These issues can point to problems like a clogged filter, low refrigerant, a malfunctioning capacitor, or a blocked drain line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: Why is my air conditioner blowing warm air?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> If your AC is blowing warm air or you keep lowering the thermostat to feel comfortable, the system may not be cooling properly. Possible causes include low refrigerant, a clogged air filter, or a malfunctioning part. A professional inspection can identify the exact issue before it gets worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: What does it mean if my AC smells strange?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Strange odors from your vents can be a sign that something is wrong inside the AC system. Musty or mildew-like smells may point to moisture problems, while burning odors can suggest an electrical or mechanical issue. Any unusual smell should be checked before the system is used heavily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: Can a high energy bill mean my AC is failing?<br>Answer:<\/strong> Yes, a sudden increase in your energy bill can mean your AC is working harder than it should. When the system loses efficiency, it may run longer to reach the same temperature. Catching the problem early may allow for a simple repair instead of a larger system issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Question: Is water or liquid around my AC unit a serious problem?<br>Answer:<\/strong> Liquid around the AC unit should not be ignored. Water may mean there is a clog in the drainage system, while other liquid could indicate a refrigerant leak. Both problems require professional attention because they can affect cooling performance, efficiency, and the overall health of the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What are the most common signs your AC needs repair?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Common warning signs include warm air from the vents, weak or uneven cooling, strange odors, rising energy bills, and liquid around the outdoor AC unit. 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That\u2019s why you need [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1703,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70,217],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-conditioning-service","category-reno"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1702"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2298,"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702\/revisions\/2298"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dehartinc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}