Winter is officially here, so you must have an HVAC system that can properly heat your home. You'll probably want that same system to cool your home as the summer months come in, too. Even if you're not currently using your AC unit, you should keep up with regular maintenance and repairs to make sure that it's fully functioning. So ask yourself, "Am I neglecting my HVAC system?" If you're not sure, look for these signs that your HVAC system needs some tender loving care by way of an inspection or timely repairs immediately.

You're Having Allergic Reactions

According to This Old House, over 90% of Americans use AC equipment in their home. You should understand that your AC unit isn't just there to supply cooled or heated air. It also plays a major factor in how well air properly filters and circulates throughout your house. In other words, if your unit hasn't been properly inspected and cleaned, it can be circulating dirt, dust, mold, and other contaminants throughout the air. As a result, you and your family may be experiencing allergic reactions.

Those allergic reactions may be in the form of coughing, wheezing, or red runny eyes. Do you go outside to have clean, fresh air? While nature is wonderful, you should be able to properly breathe that same clean filtered air in your home, whether the AC unit is on or off. Allergic reactions can often be a result of mold, which can be toxic. We've even seen that mold can cause severe respiratory disorders ranging from asthma to bronchitis to emphysema. Give yourself peace of mind by making sure your AC unit has been inspected and cleaned.

There's Uneven Heating and Cooling

When you turn on your AC unit, is it hard to feel the cold or heated air if you're not standing directly under it? Needless to say, that's a major issue as your HVAC system is supposed to circulate the air throughout the room and your house as a whole. A unit that only blows air in a certain direction is pretty useless, as it's not going to do the job of keeping the temperature in your home at a comfortable level.

Depending on the type of home you have, you may want to consider a mini ductless unit. Your AC inspector can make the proper recommendations that can benefit your home cooling and heating needs. When you have a ductless unit, it makes it possible to have individual units spread throughout your home while connected to a central control. It's a great resource when you have different people with various temperature tolerances living there or have multiple levels or zones that may require different heating or cooling requirements. As a result, you won't have to worry about one unit that has to circulate throughout your space.

The Unit Is Leaking

No homeowner wants to deal with leaks in their home. Whether those leaks are coming from your roof, a busted pipe, or a leaky AC unit, they can wreak havoc on your home structure and cause unneeded stress. Water damage is the first breeding ground for mold. Did you know that mold only takes 24 to 72 hours to begin sprouting on a wet surface, according to CNET? Because of this, it's important to stay on top of AC maintenance.

It doesn't matter what type of surface it is. If that wet surface is a result of water from a pipe, rain creeping in from your roof, or a coolant leaking from your AC unit, it can do the same damage to your family's health and your home structure. Luckily, timely inspections can test the coolant levels to ensure they're filled and aren't leaking out of the unit.

Your Electric Bills Are High

Is it getting harder to open your electrical bills every month? According to Statista, your residential electrical expenditure often makes up as much as 50% of your house bills. The more your heating and cooling unit works, the more electricity it's using. As a result, a hard-working AC will cause those electrical bills to rise, which can hurt your home budget.

When you have timely inspections, your AC repair professional can do needed updates to keep it functioning at a high level. They can also recommend whether it's time to replace your AC with a more energy-efficient one. When you decide to get a new installation, you can save on your electrical bills going forward.

You Can't Hear Yourself Think

When you turn on a healthy AC unit, you might hear an initial click and then some barely audible humming noise. That humming noise should barely qualify as white noise that will dissolve into the background. However, when your AC unit needs repairs or is at the end of its life cycle, it may make its presence known by rattling, shaking, and rocking. When this happens, you may find it nearly impossible to have a proper conversation or watch TV when your AC unit is on. Your AC unit should be felt, not heard. If it's become a source of noise pollution, it's simply too loud to have on when you're trying to sleep. Then you need to call a professional to check it out.

There's a Foul Odor

In addition to not being heard, your AC unit also should never be smelled. If turning on your AC unit means you'll be breathing in a foul odor that affects the air quality in your home, you have a problem on your hands. When HVAC ducts haven't been properly cleaned out, they may have a build-up of dirt, contaminants, and mold. When keeping a clean and fresh-smelling home, the last thing you want is an AC unit that will produce a rotten smell.

Your Carbon Alarm Has Gone Off

Do you have an alarm in your home that detects a high presence of carbon monoxide? If not, then you should get one, as this odorless, colorless gas can be fatal when it's present in high amounts in any home. Unfortunately, your AC unit can give off this gas when it begins to malfunction. Therefore, you must have regular inspections and timely repairs to ensure that you and your family won't end up being in danger because you have not had your unit properly inspected for carbon monoxide poisoning.

As a responsible homeowner, don't ignore your HVAC unit. Failure to get timely inspections, repairs, or maintenance can be devastating for your property and your family's health. A damaged or malfunctioning cooling and heating unit can be noisy, and smelly, as well as produce a poisonous gas that can prove fatal. Plus, when you need to cool or heat your home, you want to make sure that your heating and cooling system can do so efficiently so that everyone is as comfortable as possible. If you want to save money on your electrical bills, having a unit that can function properly is essential to keeping your home budget at a reasonable level. The first step in a healthy HVAC system is making sure you have the right professional on the job. Look no further than our local team at John H. Coleman Co. Contact us today for a free quote and to schedule an appointment!