During the sweltering dog days of summer, Tennessee residents like to stay close to their air conditioned homes. But it’s frustrating when an air conditioner suddenly fails, even if the AC repair company in Nashville offers emergency service. Getting your unit regularly serviced will help prevent untimely summertime meltdowns. It’s also a smart idea to know the warning signs that an AC repair is needed in between your usual maintenance appointments.

Your home’s temperature is consistently higher than the thermostat.

One warning sign of imminent failure is a significant, consistent gap between the thermostat and the actual temperature. If you find yourself constantly turning the thermostat down farther, but your home isn’t getting any cooler, it’s time to call the air conditioning repair service. Another warning sign is if the temperature in your home fluctuates from room to room.

Your AC unit is making alarming noises.

It’s perfectly normal to hear a low humming noise when the AC is running in the summer. But if you detect unusual noises, you should schedule an air conditioning repair appointment promptly, before the unit completely fails. Sometimes, a difference in the noise may be subtle, such as a different type or volume of humming. In other cases, the noise might be alarming, such as a loud clanking or grinding noise.

Your AC unit is emitting unusual odors.

Has your family been complaining of unusual odors around the house lately? After ruling out the obvious causes, like a garbage can that needs to be emptied, consider taking a whiff of the air near a vent. An AC that has been emitting foul odors is definitely a cause for alarm. It’s possible that the odor is due to accumulated mold and mildew, but it might also indicate that the unit is going to fail soon.

Your electricity bill is much higher than usual.

If there’s something wrong with your AC unit, it may have to work harder to cool your home. You’ll notice the difference when it’s time to pay the electricity bill. Invest in a service appointment with the repair company, and you can look forward to a lower utility bill next month.