7 Signs Your AC Is About to Fail This Summer

July 2026 | Martel Plumbing & Heating | Air Conditioning Maintenance

Rhode Island has already seen extreme heat warnings this summer, with heat indices climbing past 100 degrees in parts of the state. The last thing anyone wants during a stretch like that is for their AC to give out with zero warning. The good news is that AC systems rarely fail completely out of nowhere. In most cases, there are warning signs in the days or weeks leading up to a breakdown, if you know what to look for.

Catching these signs early gives you the chance to schedule a repair on your own timeline, rather than dealing with an emergency call in the middle of a heat wave. Here are seven signs worth paying attention to.

1. Weak or Inconsistent Airflow

If some rooms in your home are cooling fine while others feel noticeably warmer, or if airflow from the vents feels weaker than it used to, this often points to a failing blower motor, a clogged filter, or a duct issue. On its own it might not seem urgent, but weak airflow puts extra strain on your system, which can accelerate a bigger failure.

2. Strange Noises You Haven’t Heard Before

A healthy AC system runs with a fairly consistent, low hum. Grinding, squealing, rattling, or banging noises are your system telling you something specific is wrong; a failing motor bearing, a loose part, or a component that’s about to give out. These noises tend to get worse, not better, the longer they’re ignored.

3. Warm Air Coming From the Vents

If you’re feeling warm air, or air that’s only slightly cooler than room temperature, this is one of the clearest signs of an impending failure. It’s often related to refrigerant levels, a failing compressor, or airflow restrictions, and it usually gets worse quickly rather than resolving on its own.

4. Your Energy Bills Are Climbing Without Explanation

When an AC system starts to fail, it often has to work much harder to produce the same amount of cooling, which shows up directly on your electric bill. If your usage patterns haven’t changed but your summer energy costs are creeping up month over month, your system’s efficiency may be declining, a common precursor to a bigger breakdown.

5. Frequent Cycling On and Off

An AC that turns on and off more frequently than usual, a pattern called short cycling, puts significant wear on your system’s components and is often a sign of an electrical issue, a refrigerant problem, or a failing thermostat sensor. Short cycling tends to accelerate the wear on whatever component is already struggling, making a full failure more likely.

6. Moisture or Ice Where It Shouldn’t Be

Unusual condensation around your indoor unit, or visible ice on the refrigerant lines or evaporator coil, points to airflow or refrigerant issues that will only get worse with continued use. Continuing to run a system with ice buildup can cause damage to the compressor, turning a moderate repair into a major one.

7. A Noticeable Musty or Burning Smell

A musty smell often indicates mold or mildew buildup in the ductwork or around the evaporator coil. A burning or electrical smell is more serious and can indicate a wiring issue or an overheating component. If you notice a burning smell specifically, it’s worth turning the system off and having it inspected before running it again.

Why Catching These Signs Early Matters

Rhode Island’s summer weather has been intense this year, and forecasters have noted that heat waves have become more frequent over recent summers. An AC failure during a stretch of 90-plus degree days isn’t just uncomfortable, it can pose a real risk, especially for young children, older adults, and anyone with a health condition affected by heat.

Catching a warning sign early and scheduling a repair proactively means you get to choose when the work happens, rather than being at the mercy of an emergency service queue during the busiest week of the summer.

When to Call a Professional

If you’re noticing any of these seven signs, even just one, it’s worth having your system checked out before it fully fails. A trained technician can often catch a small issue and resolve it in a single visit, avoiding a much larger repair, or a total loss of cooling, down the road.

Get Ahead of the Problem

Martel Plumbing & Heating has been keeping Rhode Island families cool and comfortable since 1926. We serve Providence, Lincoln, Cranston, Pawtucket, Warwick, Smithfield, Johnston, and surrounding communities with fast, reliable AC service.

Call Martel today to schedule an AC inspection before a small issue becomes a summer emergency — or book your service.

We offer price matching with local competitors, money-saving coupons, and financing options through NEIF.

Don’t wait for the breakdown. Call Martel at the first sign something’s off.

Related Services:

• AC Repair: martelplumbingri.com/air-conditioning/repair/
• AC Maintenance: martelplumbingri.com/air-conditioning/maintenance/
• Request Service: martelplumbingri.com/request-service/

Related Articles:

• Why Is Your AC Running But Not Cooling Your Rhode Island Home? — martelplumbingri.com/blog/ac-running-but-not-cooling-rhode-island/
• AC Repair or Replacement? How Rhode Island Homeowners Can Decide This Summer — martelplumbingri.com/blog/ac-repair-or-replacement-rhode-island/
• 10 Signs You Need to Replace Your AC Unit — martelplumbingri.com/blog/10-signs-you-need-to-replace-your-ac-unit/

Martel Plumbing & Heating — Rhode Island’s trusted plumbing and HVAC experts since 1926.
935 Smithfield Ave, Lincoln, RI 02865