It's never too late to start learning more about your air conditioning system. The more you know, the better the chances are going to be of preventing serious problems and the need for an early replacement of the system. Read the questions here that are often asked by homeowners with regards to their HVAC systems and you might learn some important information that can end up helping you with your own system. 

Would you ever need to reset your air conditioning?

There may be times when your air conditioning would need to be reset. One example of a time when you may need to reset the unit would be if the power went out and the AC didn't come back on with the power. You can attempt to reset the air conditioning by unplugging the unit for around 15 seconds. Plug it back in and hold down the reset button for a few seconds and it should kick back on. However, if you try to reset the air conditioner and it doesn't come back on, then you may need to have it looked at because something could have happened internally that needs repairing. 

Why is the air conditioner on but not blowing cold?

If your home isn't cooling down with the AC on, then the first thing to do is double-check that you have the thermostat set correctly and that it isn't just on fan. If it's set correctly, then there may be an issue with the air condenser, a problem with the compressor, or a leak causing there to be little to no refrigerant. So, if you are having this type of issue, then you should call an air conditioning repair company and have it looked at and fixed. 

Why do you hear whooshing or whistling sounds from the vents?

The air will enter through a return vent that has a filter and travel through the ducts and then travel back out through the ducts after it has been cooled. When the air is going through the vents, there shouldn't be much noise. If you start to hear noises that sound like escaping air, then it is likely a leak in the ducts. Leaving the leak allows it to get worse over time and when it goes unrepaired, it puts more work on the system that is trying to cool the house to a specific temperature. All that extra work can cause the system to fail sooner and leave you paying more on your power bill. Call out an air conditioner repair professional as soon as you notice such a noise.