5 Signs Your AC is Hurting
Rodger Brown • May 22, 2023
A young man with glasses is screaming with his mouth open

Sometimes, your air conditioner works great. Other times, it is on the verge of a breakdown. But there’s also a middle area where your AC may not be working as well as it should but is still functioning. It’s during this time that you want to pay attention to signs of problems and identify them so you can get them fixed before you do reach a complete system breakdown.

If you notice any of the five signs below, it’s time to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair in Portland, OR. Our team of experts can troubleshoot any problem and offer tips for preventing it again in the future. Keep reading to learn more about how to identify when your AC has something wrong.

Lukewarm Air

Your air conditioner has one job: provide cool air for your home. Even if the temperature in your home is still reasonable, feeling lukewarm air coming out of the vents is a problem. There may be an issue with refrigerant levels, airflow, or something else entirely. But no matter what the problem is, you want to get it addressed before temperatures heat up this summer. 

Unusual Sounds

If you take five minutes to sit quietly and listen to your AC during a cooling cycle, you would not hear much. Your air conditioner sounds should fade into the background as white noise. If your AC is too loud or begins to make sudden alarming noises, give us a call right away. Even the gentle whirring of fan blades or humming of the air compressor can be concerning if it becomes too fast or too loud.

Leaks

If you open the closet inside of your home where the indoor portion of the unit sits, you may notice a condensate drain pan. Your condensate drain line may drip from time to time if there is a clog. This drain pan is a back up to prevent water damage from occurring to the floors and walls nearby. But, that doesn’t mean a leak is normal. Give us a call if you notice your AC leaking so that we can fix the problem before the clog gets worse. 

Bad Smells

It may seem obvious that the air coming from vents connected to your air conditioner should be smell-free. If you stood near a vent and took a deep breath during a cooling cycle, you should not smell anything. If the air seems musty or smells damp, you may have a mold problem. 

If there is any kind of burning smell, you may have an electrical problem. Basically, any smell coming from your air vents indicates that something is not quite right. You may not know what exactly is wrong, but you should give our team a call. We can check it out, solve the mystery, and clean out your AC to prevent the odor from happening again in the future. 

High Energy Bills

There may be months that you get an energy bill and gasp at the increased cost. While it is normal for energy usage to fluctuate from month to month, you should never receive an alarmingly high energy bill. If you do, your AC unit may be to blame. 

As one of the largest appliances in your home, your AC uses a lot of energy each month. Any unusual spikes can be attributed to your air conditioner and can indicate a problem that is causing your AC to work harder than it usually does. 

Please call Sydni, our Office Extraordinaire, to schedule your next appointment with the Clean Air Act team! We will take care of you from there!

The post 5 Signs Your AC is Hurting first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..

HVAC technician checking an outdoor air conditioner unit in Portland during spring.
By Rodger Brown May 27, 2025
Avoid AC issues before Portland heats up. Schedule air conditioning service now to reduce energy bills, improve airflow, and prevent breakdowns.
A thermostat with a smiley face on it is covered in a knitted hat.
By Rodger Brown May 5, 2025
Learn four common signs that you need a new gas furnace.
The inside of an electric furnace is shown with the door open.
By Rodger Brown April 21, 2025
Learn the early warning signs can help you avoid a complete breakdown and keep your home warm, safe, and energy-efficient throughout the colder months.
A woman and a boy are playing with a dog on a couch.
By Rodger Brown April 7, 2025
Learn the top benefits of getting ahead of AC repairs before minor problems turn into major headaches. The post What Are the Benefits of Taking Action Early on AC Repairs? first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..
A person is holding a remote control in front of an air conditioner.
By Rodger Brown March 24, 2025
Learn about the key steps involved in a ductless heat pump installation and why professional expertise makes all the difference. The post Steps for Installing a Ductless Mini Split System first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..
A close up of a humidifier in a room with a plant in the background.
By Rodger Brown March 10, 2025
Learn about the benefits of a humidifier and how one of these unique systems can benefit your family.  The post What Are the Benefits of a Whole-House Humidifier? first appeared on Clean Air Act Inc..
Show More