Get matched with top heating and air conditioning pros in Spencerville, OH

A window AC unit is not completely silent. You’ll hear the sound of air blowing, and if you put your ear right up next to the unit, you may hear a slight hiss or gurgle as the refrigerant flows through the system. That said, if your system is making a running water sound, a loud banging sound, a grinding sound, or physically vibrating, you may be facing an issue or malfunction with your AC unit.

Most units are designed only to cool the house down to 20 degrees less than the temperature outside. This means that if it’s 99 degrees Fahrenheit out and you’re trying to cool your home down to 65 degrees, you’ll notice your AC is struggling. 

Lower the blinds on all your windows, turn on your ceiling fans, and keep the thermostat at a consistent temperature to help your AC do its job. Investing in an HVAC maintenance plan also helps because pros will come out to inspect and tune up your unit regularly, keeping it in optimal working condition.

Deciding whether to replace just the AC coil or the entire system depends on the age of your unit and the overall cost. Replacing a coil is less expensive than a full system replacement, but it can still be a pricey repair. If your HVAC system is relatively new and still under warranty, or if the replacement cost is significantly lower than a new system, replacing the coil can be a worthwhile investment that restores efficiency and extends the unit's life. However, for older systems (nearing the end of their 10-15 year lifespan) or those with extensive damage, it is often more cost-effective to replace the entire AC unit. Mismatched coils in an older system can lead to inefficiency and future breakdowns, so a full replacement ensures optimal performance and avoids further costly repairs.

Not if you have a standard unit. Because portable AC units actually work to dehumidify the room, you’ll likely need to drain the unit from time to time—but you won’t have to put water into it. There is, however, another type of air conditioner called a swamp cooler that requires water to operate. If you have a swamp cooler, you may need to fill a reservoir with water and potentially ice. But a swamp cooler is different from a standard portable AC unit.