An air conditioning unit eliminates moisture from your living space and filters air contaminants before they can get inside your home. Turning on the system is also the best way to fight back the summer heat. With good maintenance and care, it should run efficiently even during the hottest months. If your air conditioner isn’t working as it should, it might need the attention of a professional. Below are some indications your air conditioning unit needs repairs and how you can solve those problems.
1. Poor Airflow
Insufficient airflow is one of the common signs that your cooling unit is not working effectively. A broken motor, a clogged air filter, or something more serious might be the culprit. If you notice restricted airflow through your air conditioner vents, the system’s compressor might be failing. However, if some rooms or parts of your house are getting cool air and others are not, the problem may be within your ductwork.
With time, debris and dust can get stuck in the vents of your ductwork, causing obstructions. Blockages restrict airflow and present health risks to you and your loved ones. Having your ductwork cleaned is the best way to restore airflow in your home. It also ensures that your air conditioning unit works properly and efficiently throughout the season.
2. High Humidity Levels
During summer and spring, you can expect humid weather outside. However, that doesn’t mean you should deal with high humidity levels indoors, too. If your air conditioning unit cannot keep indoor moisture levels within the normal range, it’s an indication the system may need servicing.
High humidity is the main cause of mildew and mold growth indoors. These microbes can be a danger to your health and your home’s structural integrity. An HVAC technician can diagnose the humidity problem fast and let you know if your cooling system requires a simple calibration or a whole-house dehumidifier. Dehumidification can help prevent moisture buildup, eliminating these hazards and dangers.
3. AC is Blowing Hot Air
Your cooling system should keep your living space comfortable and cool, regardless of how harsh the outside temperatures are. However, if your unit is blowing hot or warm air, you need to contact your emergency AC technician to inspect the system. Blocked airflow, tripped circuit breaker, low refrigerant levels, ductwork problems, or compressor malfunction may be to blame. Check your thermostat and ensure it’s set at “cool” mode and at the right temperatures. If it requires new batteries, be sure to replace them.
After checking your thermostat’s settings and batteries, ensure your HVAC unit has power by checking your electrical panel. An HVAC unit needs a lot of power to function. When there’s a lot of power demand, your circuit breaker may go off as a safety measure. If you’ve checked your thermostat and breaker box and your unit is still blowing hot air, your ductwork or compressor may be the issue. Call an AC professional to inspect all the components of your AC system, including your ductwork. This way, you’ll avoid bigger issues that may lead to costly repairs or premature AC failure.
4. Leaks
Leakage near or around your cooling unit can signify AC problems. If your AC system is leaking water inside your home, it’s most likely because of a blocked condensate drain line. With time, the drain line can get clogged with debris such as dust, dirt, or even mold spores. Water cannot escape and drain outside the house when the line clogs. Even though water leaks are not serious issues, you need to address them quickly to prevent other problems like rust and mold growth inside the unit.
In serious cases, your air conditioner can leak refrigerant. Blocked condensate drain lines and age-related wear and tear are the common causes of AC refrigerant leaks. With time, the connections and joints in your cooling system can weaken and eventually erode. In addition, access fittings or the rubber seals around the unit’s service valves can wear out, causing refrigerant leaks. Refrigerant leaks are serious and you should not ignore them as they can pose serious health risks to your family.
5. Strange Noises
Although air conditioning units do not run silently, you should not ignore unusual sounds from your cooling system. Loud, sudden, and strange sounds indicate something wrong with the AC unit. If you hear clicking sounds when you turn off or start your cooling unit, there might be a problem with your AC’s electric system or the thermostat. Squealing noises indicate a loose belt, while banging sounds signify loose or broken AC components.
Screeching or screaming sounds can occur due to high internal pressure or refrigerant leaks. While some AC noises may not be catastrophic, some can cause serious damage to your cooling unit. This is a task best left to professionals as some unit components are delicate and/or dangerous to untrained individuals.
6. Short-Cycling
Short-cycling occurs when a cooling cycle is shorter than the normal 10 minutes. As a result, the compressor will turn off and on more than usual. Although it’s normal for your cooling unit to turn on more often during summer, it should not go off and on constantly. If your system is cycling continuously, you need to call your HVAC technician to inspect it. Excessive stopping and starting can add to the wear on the unit’s compressor, robbing your house of its cooling comfort in the long run.
7. Unpleasant Odors
If you notice unpleasant smells coming from your cooling unit, you need to deal with the problem before it becomes worse. A quick AC inspection will tell your technician whether your cooling unit needs a professional cleaning and a tune-up or a better solution. Duct cleaning can help address and eradicate odor problems in your ductwork. However, ultraviolet lamps are the best way to eliminate stubborn microbial growth that emits awful smells in your AC system.
8. Increased Energy Bills
Your HVAC is the biggest consumer of electricity in your home. If you notice a spike in your energy bills since the last cooling season, there’s a high probability that your cooling unit is the culprit. Call your HVAC technician to service or repair your air conditioning system to boost efficiency. Regularly maintaining your cooling unit can minimize the need for frequent and costly repairs and even extend its lifespan.
Work With the Experts to Enjoy Reliable AC Services
Cooling is essential, especially during the hot summer months. If your AC fails or breaks down suddenly, you will not be comfortable in the sweltering heat. Contact our HVAC experts from Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing immediately if you notice any of the signs mentioned above. Our professionals will visit your home, inspect your unit, and diagnose the AC problems. Regardless of your job’s scope, our NATE-certified technicians can get the task done the first time and even exceed your expectations.
Our company also offers maintenance plans, air purification, heating, and plumbing services to residents of Norcross, GA, and the surrounding regions. Contact us today to learn more about any AC-related problems or order any of the previously mentioned services!
