If there is one thing you want to avoid at all costs, it is having your AC break down in the middle of a hot day. However, things happen, and you may be dealing with an AC repair when you least expect it. Downtown-air.com recommends that you watch for any of these common signs that your AC requires a repair. Calling on the professionals at the first sign that something is amiss may enable you to get away with a repair instead of needing a complete unit replacement. If you have doubts about what signs your equipment may be giving you to signal that a repair is needed, here are some pointers to keep in mind.
Warm Air
There is never a good reason why warm air should be blowing out of your AC. Before panicking, try resetting the thermostat to see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn’t, your AC needs urgent repair to have the system recalibrated.
Not Enough Air
You know your equipment and are familiar with the amount of air that regularly blows out of it. When that changes, and it is impossible to cool the house, your AC may be broken. This may be because a blockage in the ductwork does not allow the air to flow as it normally does, or it may be something much more serious, such as a broken motor.
Too Frequent Cycles
When an air conditioner works as it should, you can expect it to go on and off about every 20 to 30 minutes, even more frequently on particularly hot days. If it suddenly seems to be turning on and off much more often, you may be dealing with an urgent repair and possibly even a new system altogether.
High Levels of Humidity
An air conditioner that works well will give you great relief from the humidity that lives just outside your door. When you start feeling sticky while indoors, it may be a sign that your unit needs to be recalibrated or has stopped working and needs to be replaced.
Water Leaks
Finding water that is pooling under your unit is never a good sign. It means that your unit has stopped working properly, and if the leaks are allowed to go unchecked, you may find that they are quickly causing further damage to your home. Although an AC unit relies on refrigerant to do its job, and even though some condensation is produced by the unit, you never want to find either one of these liquids accumulating around the unit.
Unpleasant Smells
Whenever you suspect that unusual smells are coming out of your AC, you need to have someone come to your house and check out the unit. You may need something as simple as a tune-up or a thorough cleaning or something much more drastic and high-tech.
If it is a matter of microbial growth, your technician might recommend installing ultraviolet lamps to eliminate it. It may also be coming out of your ducts, and your technician will clean them for you and solve the issue.
Unusual Noises
You know the type and level of noise your AC produces. When you notice a change, you may have a problem with a cooling part or other issues. Call your AC technician and have them diagnose and fix the problem.
