When your air conditioner starts to have trouble, it can be tempting to ignore it and hope for the best. You think, maybe it’ll sort itself out! But there’s something you should always keep in mind. When air conditioners are not working properly, prompt attention can make the difference between a minor repair and a major one. Here are some signs that you should have a technician repair your air conditioner right away before a small issue turns into a very big problem.
Unexpected Noises
This is often the first thing that is noticeable when an air conditioner experiences a problem. Screeching, banging, rattling, or clicking can all indicate that something is wrong. Letting your air conditioner continue to run like that could lead to a loose part flying free and damaging other components, or even strain on the compressor, which could eventually make it so your air conditioner needs to be replaced instead of repaired. If you hear anything other than the whoosh of the fan and the hum of the compressor, have it checked out.
Strange Smells
This is rare, but a few issues can cause your air conditioner to smell funny. A sweet, chemical smell could be coming from a refrigerant leak. A hot, burning smell could mean that the fan motor is overheating. And a mildew smell might mean water is pooling somewhere and growing mold. In any of these cases, you need AC repair in Satellite Beach, FL.
Ice on the Coils
The refrigerant that absorbs heat and then releases it outdoors runs through a system of tubing called the coils. On the indoor unit, these coils are soaking up the heat from your home, and if they are coated in ice, there’s definitely a problem. It could be as simple as dust or dirt coating the coils and preventing them from absorbing heat properly, or it could be that there’s a leak somewhere in the system and you no longer have enough refrigerant in the coils.
Short Cycling
Air conditioner cooling cycles typically start up every 15-20 minutes. The compressor turns on when the thermostat registers a too-high temperature, and after bringing the temp down to an appropriate level, it shuts off again. If these cycles are happening too quickly, it’s very hard on the system, causing wear and tear and strain on the compressor.
It can be caused by a faulty limit switch, a broken blower fan that fails to provide airflow or an overheating motor, but whatever the cause, it needs to be addressed before it permanently damages the compressor. Short cycling will also drive your utility bills up because the part of the cycle that uses the most energy is the start-up, so going through that process every couple of minutes is costly and wasteful.
Any odd behavior from your air conditioner should be treated seriously. You deserve to have your home cooled effectively and efficiently, and we are ready to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
