What’s wrong with my air conditioning? The complaints run the gamut from coughing, hiccupping units to strange smells, odd noises, inefficient cooling and leaks.

With proper maintenance and care you can typically get between 15 to 20 years from a good AC unit. So before you go out and buy a brand new unit, get your current unit serviced and have a professional diagnose the problem.

Now, we’ve been around the block (all the blocks of the Austin metro area, actually) and we’ve seen our fair share of HVAC issues. But we tackle a handful of problems more commonly than others. Here’s our list the 5 most common issues that could be affecting your AC unit.

1. Your Filter Needs to Be Changed

One of the simplest solutions to an AC issue could be the filter. The manufacturer will suggest how often to change or clean a filter, so make sure you’re following those guidelines. Some filters need to be replaced once a month or every three months and some are reusable and can simply be cleaned. If your filter is looking grimy and gunky, you can test it out by checking to see if you can see light through it. If no light passes through, go get yourself a new filter. A dirty filter can impede the air flow and cause coils to freeze.

2. Your Unit Wasn’t Installed Properly or Requires Better Maintenance

If an AC unit was not installed properly you could see things like leaky vents, low airflow and overall inefficiency. How do you know if you have a faulty installation? Call in someone you can trust, with a solid reputation and proven track record (we know just the team). And don’t forget to give your AC a little love with some routine maintenance. Keep filters and coils clean, make sure your air intakes aren’t blocked and you’re getting adequate airflow.

3. You May Have Low Refrigerant or a Refrigerant Leak

The refrigerant is the magic juice of the AC unit that removes the heat and humidity from the air. If you’ve developed a leak, your unit isn’t going to cool the air effectively. Call in a technician to diagnose your problem and fix the leak then top you off with refrigerant.

4. Your Unit Isn’t Draining Properly

When your air conditioner removes moisture from the air, it goes through the AC’s drainage system. In the same way that the filter can become clogged, the drain line can get backed up and cause you big problems. If your drain line is clogged you’ll see the drainage pan getting full or water backing up into the AC unit, causing potential damage to the unit. You could also see water leaks in your walls, ducts or ceiling leading to damage and mold.

5. The Fan Isn’t Working Properly

Your AC has a couple fan systems to blow in cool air and expel heat. If these fans develop problems from a faulty motor, absence of lubrication, worn out belts or dirt, dust and debris you could run into poor airflow and AC problems. Nip fan issues in the bud because if neglected for too long it can lead to compressor failure, which is the nail in the coffin for many AC units.

We hope this helps with some of the more common AC issues. If you’re concerned about any of the above, call in a seasoned professional to take a look at your air conditioning unit, you know where to find us.