As the weather starts to heat up over the next couple of weeks, you’re going to start using your air conditioner more and more often. More demand on the system is going to make it more likely that it develops some kind of problem. That’s why you should familiarize yourself with the symptoms of different air conditioning problems, so you can call for repairs if you notice them in your own air conditioner. Faster response time to a malfunction will prevent more damage, and keep your system in better condition in the long run. The following are four air conditioning issues you should keep an eye out for this summer.

REFRIGERANT LEAKS

It’s possible that you’ll witness a refrigerant leak directly, with fluid dripping from your air conditioner where it shouldn’t be. Depending on where the leak is located, though, it’s far more likely that you’ll notice the effects of a lower refrigerant level in the system. The lower the refrigerant level in the air conditioner drops, the more of its cooling ability it loses. This will eventually lead to a full system breakdown. If you notice that the air your air conditioner is blowing isn’t as cool as it normally is, you should call a professional to check out your system. That could indicate a refrigerant leak.

CLOGGED AIR FILTERS

If your air conditioner isn’t circulating much air at all, it might be because you have a clogged air filter. The air filter in your air conditioner should be changed out every few months while you’re using the system heavily. If it isn’t, it will become clogged and prevent a lot of the airflow from the ducts from entering the air conditioner. This hinders the system’s output, but it can also cause other issues later on that are more serious. You can head off those issues by checking your air filter, and replacing it as necessary.

SHORT CYCLING

Short cycling is when the air conditioner turns itself on and off every few minutes instead of completing a full cooling cycle. Often caused by an electrical issue, this problem both cripples the systems’ cooling ability and accelerates the rate at which it wears down. Prolonged short cycling will increase the chances of other problems developing, as well as shorten the lifespan of the system by a number of years. Make sure that you call for repairs if you notice your air conditioner doing this.

AIR HANDLER ISSUES

The air handler is the part of the air conditioner that circulates air throughout the home during operation. If the air handler malfunctions, the system won’t be able to properly circulate air while it’s running. If your air conditioner is on, but no air is blowing out of the vents at all, it’s possible that you have an air handler problem. Another common sign is if you hear grinding coming from your air conditioner while it’s running, which can mean that the air handler is failing.

These issues are just a few of the many ways that an air conditioner can malfunction. You should call for repairs if you notice any of their symptoms, but you also shouldn’t be afraid to call for repairs if you notice anything else that arouses suspicion. It’s better to be safe and have your system checked out for something that turns out to be minor, than to ignore a potentially serious problem that could cause a lot of damage later.