It’s a good buddy that keeps your house cool and comfortable when the heat hits hard during the summer season, your air con is. Such a coup is also the fresh air it brings into your home. Well, just like any other appliance that is overworked and underappreciated, your AC must be given the necessary care it deserves if it is to keep functioning as usual in the long run. Watching out for the first symptoms of disfunction is a way of prevention done right: by avoiding the issue hence, you won’t have your Air Care down the middle of summer when the heat is unbearable.
You might have a central air conditioner system, a ductless mini-split, or a window unit for which it would be a good idea to know the signs of air conditioning need of servicing. This knowledge indeed, in the end, irrespective of the type of your unit, can bring you savings of money, time, and in general, a stress-free situation.
Today, the blog content aims to introduce to you the prime seven indicators of your AC requiring service before breaking down together with some expert tips on how to keep your machine efficient throughout the entire year.
- Weak or Uneven Airflow
One of the most obvious signs of the air conditioning system that requires a service is the weak or irregular flow of air. You may notice that certain areas of the house are cooler while others do not receive enough cold air, or that the strength of the air that flows from your vents has decreased.
This problem can occur because of:
- Dirty air filters: Dander and dirt limit the flow of air, which makes the system overwork.
- Closed or tight ducts: The air flows out unnoticed before reaching the designated rooms.
- Burnt out blower motor or fan: The motor whose function is to deliver cool air to your home might be running out of power.
- When airflow is limited, your air conditioner unit becomes incapable of maintaining your desired temperature, hence it uses more energy and utility costs get increased.
How to Fix It
The first thing to do is to inspect and change if necessary your air filters. If this doesn’t provide a solution, then you should probably arrange for a professional air conditioner check-up. An engineer can not only measure airflow pressure, but he can also pinpoint duct leaks, and give a verdict on the condition of the blower motor.
It can be pretty scary to imagine the consequences of continued misuse of this issue; very likely, it leads to a compressor grab and that sooner than you expect your system dropping!
- Warm Air or Inconsistent Cooling
The moment when you switch on your air conditioner, you would expect cold air to be blown at you, however, what come out is warm or slightly cool air that hardly chills the room. This is one of the most common ways to recognize a malfunction.
Potential causes might be:
- Inadequate refrigerant levels: Refrigerant is the component that enables the absorption of the heat, thus in this case, a leak is implied if the levels are low.
- Grimy condenser coils: Dirt may be accumulated on the surface thus blocking the route for heat to be released.
- Compressor problem: A compromised compressor cannot circulate refrigerant efficiently.
- Malfunctioning thermostat: It could be the thermostat that is not properly communicating with the AC system.
In scenarios when the system is not cooling adequately, apart from making the home environment unpleasant, it also triples the energy consumption since unit has to work more in order to attain the desired temperature.
Professional Tip
Just adding refrigerant is not the thing to do without also looking for the leak. HVAC technician who is skilled and certified in the field can pinpoint not only the problem but also ensure that your system gets charged in line with the manufacturer requirements.
3. Unusual Noises Coming from the Unit
Normally your AC is a quiet machine, and you can hear only a soft humming. However, if lately, you have been hearing one of the following noises: grinding, rattling, buzzing, squealing, or banging, it is time to take this as a serious warning sign.
Some of the noises may indicate the following:
- Squealing: Worn-out or loose belts.
- Grinding: The motor bearings may be on their last stage.
- Buzzing: There may be an electrical problem, or some debris may be near the condenser fan.
- Banging: Internal parts that are loose or broken.
These noises, if your disregard, may result in your machine breaking down greatly and thus costing you a lot in repairs or even a system replacement.
Why It Matters
Unusual sounds mean that something is out of alignment or under stress. Getting your system serviced as soon as you hear any noise is a great way of stopping a mechanical problem from turning into your system getting damaged beyond repair.
- Strange Odors When the AC Runs
Even if it is very subtle, unpleasant odors emitted from the vents of your air conditioning system or the unit itself are a clear indication of a problem. Different types of odor may point to different causes.
- Musty Smell: It is probably due to mold or mildew growth in the evaporator coils or the ductwork.
- Burning Smell: Can be an indication of wiring problems, overheating parts, or electrical short circuits.
- Chemical or sweet odor: Might be a refrigerant leak, which is not only a safety concern but also harmful to the environment.
The mentioned problems didn’t just have AC performance as their only victims. They also contribute to indoor air quality lowering and thus, can make members of the household sick.
Solution
If burning or chemical odors are present, turn off your unit right away. After that, arrange the visit of a licensed HVAC technician who will identify the issue, replace the filters, and if necessary, disinfect the coils and ducts.
Don’t forget that your AC shouldn’t only be a cooling agent for your home but also a healthy air provider.
- Rising Energy Bills Without Explanation
The information about the condition of your air conditioning system can be found in your electricity bill. If the cost for cooling increases abruptly and there is no apparent reason for lower usage or weather change, it can be assumed that the air conditioner is running inefficiently.
Some of the most common reasons for this situation are:
- Poor condition of air filters or coils
- Leaks in the Ducts
- Parts that are on the verge of failure such as capacitors or compressors
- Incorrect refrigerant charging
By doing such work to make up for these issues, thereby needing to consume more power, your AC unit will increase energy and thus your energy bills should be very high during these times.
What You Can Do
Make an appointment for a yearly tune-up or regular check of your air conditioner. The technician will perform the following work during his visit:
- Filters and coils will be cleaned
- Refrigerant levels will be assessed
- Electrical connections will be inspected
- System efficiency will be tested
The above are usually very simple, but they can drastically lower your air conditioning costs by up to 15% and also lengthen the living time of your system.
6. Frequent Cycling (Short Cycling)
In case your air conditioner is hacking the power abruptly in bursts and it does not cool the room properly, this is called short cycling of the unit. This issue puts a lot of stress on the compressor of your AC and significantly lowers the unit efficiency.
It can be caused by:
Wrong location of the thermostat or it being out of calibration
- Blocked air filters
- Leaks of refrigerant
- Too large AC unit (an overheating problem that is often the result of the wrong size of the system)
Short cycling is not only a method of wasting energy – it can also shorten the lifetime of your system and cause uneven temperature distribution.
Fix It Early
A technician should be called to do a complete system check. Besides confirming if the unit is the right size for the house, they will also look for any obstructions in the airflow or check if the refrigerant line has a problem. By fixing short cycling at an early stage, you can keep compressor burnout – which is a very expensive AC repair – away from you.
- Moisture or Leaks Around the Unit
Water or any other liquid that is around your household air cooler should be taken care of immediately. The cause of the water could be:
- Condensation drain blockage: Dirt or other things may have clogged the drain pipe, which results in water coming back.
- Freeze on evaporator coils: This can be caused by bad airflow or insufficient refrigerant charge.
- Refrigerant leaks: These are very serious and should be carried out by qualified professionals only. Even the tiniest leak can lead to the development of mold, cause the degradation of the material in contact with the water, and create an electrical hazard if the water comes into contact with wiring or other components.
Pro Tip
It is highly recommended to keep an eye on your air conditioning units, both indoor and outdoor. In case puddles or unusual condensation are found, the unit should be turned off immediately and the technician called to avoid further issues.
The Hidden Costs of Skipping AC Maintenance
Some homeowners will wait until their AC totally fails before they decide to schedule the necessary repair works. Such a way of dealing with the problem is barely efficient and leads to higher costs in the long run. Not doing regular maintenance will result in:
- Small issues like dirty filters that can escalate to costly fixes.
- Energy bills that are going to rise enormously as the unit will operate at low efficiency.
Your appliance may let you down during the hot period of summer, and thus, you will be left with no other option but to seek emergency service, which can be both expensive and inconvenient.
According to HVAC industry professionals, the performance of the system can be kept for up to 40% longer with a yearly maintenance plan while the risk of breakdowns is reduced by 90%.
How Often Should You Service Your AC?
Experts advice professional work on the unit to take place once every year for most families and if possible, that should be done in spring before the warm seasons come. Those who live in very hot areas or use their unit all year long should definitely have the AC checked every six months instead.
Some of the tasks that are being done during a routine AC maintenance visit include:
- Cleaning condenser and evaporator coils
- Checking refrigerant levels and pressure
- Inspecting ductwork and filters
- Lubricating moving parts
- Testing electrical systems and thermostat accuracy
Implementing these measures will contribute to optimal performance of your cooling system, thus, providing you with comfort and convenience during the season.
Bonus Tips to Keep Your AC in Top Shape
On the condition of good service received, you can do a few simple things between the visits to keep your AC healthy:
- Change or clean your filter every month during heavy periods of use.
- Make sure that there are no leaves, dirt, or other things around the outdoor unit that may block the airflow.
- A programmable thermostat can help you reduce the unnecessary wear and tear of your system.
- Stop drafts by sealing any gaps around doors and windows to keep your house at a stable temperature.
- Keep track of the changes that are not normal for your system to the degree it can be seen in the airflow, noise, or temperature and call a technician immediately.
These little steps will lower the chances of big troubles arising and thus, you will be able to keep a good portion of the money that you would have spent on another month of repair costs.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for a Breakdown
Air conditioners are a great source of comfort and convenience; however, they still require regular maintenance to perform well. Early recognition of the symptoms like lack of airflow, strange noises, or increased electricity consumption might be the factor that separates a quick fix from a complete system replacement.
If you can relate with the situations above, reach out to your AC technician as soon as possible to have the unit checked before it completely fails when you need it the most. A little maintenance today can mean a cooler, more efficient, and stress-free tomorrow.
Ready to Schedule Your AC Service?
If these circumstances describe your condition and you are looking for summer’s peace of mind, reach out to your local HVAC experts for a full system inspection.
Keeping up with regular maintenance not only preserves the coolness of your home but is also a great money, energy, and frustration saver.
Read: Refill AC Gas: How Often Should You Refil.
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