The start of the summer is season is upon us and, in the coming weeks, many homeowners will use their air conditioning for the first time this year. Unfortunately, many of them will discover any of a number of problems, such as :

• Warm air
• Unit won’t engage
• Funny noises or rattlers
• Odd smells
• Unit is leaking

Each of these issues has distinct causes and some are more severe than others but, in all cases, immediate action should be taken to avoid further damage to the unit or to the home.

Warm Air: The lack of cold air can be due to the relatively minor problem of little or no refrigerant or it can mean a major repair like replacing the evaporator coils or the condenser. In either case a licensed air conditioning professional should be consulted for advice.

No Power: Similarly, if the unit won’t turn on, it could be that the thermostat simply needs batteries or that the entire unit has suffered catastrophic damage. Again, a professional HVAC technician should inspect and evaluate the entire air conditioning system. It will save money in the long term.

Noises & Smells: Funny smells and odd noises can be inconsequential nuisances or severe health hazards. Most units, while not being used in the winter, may accumulate some moisture in the ducts. This damp air will smell the first time that the unit is used but will be eliminated almost immediately. On the other hand, a sulfurous or “rotten egg” smell can mean a gas leak in a consolidated HVAC unit, is potentially lethal and should be investigated immediately.

Leaking: Lastly, a leak can originate in a clogged drain line or can be part of the refrigerant system. The former is relatively simple to correct but the latter requires specialized equipment materials and expertise.

As can be seen, the problems of an air conditioning system are vary by type, severity and ease of correction. Some can be handled by a the homeowner but most require more experience and technical skills than the average DIYer possesses. Even, if you don’t have any problems with your air conditioning system at the beginning of the season, it is a good idea to have a professional air conditioning technician perform a routine service call. It will save you much time, money and aggravation.