As summer approaches, temperatures begin to rise, and we get more daytime hours with the sun in full force. Homeowners will start using their air conditioners to keep them cool. It’s pertinent to make sure that yours is working well and ready for the heat.
Don’t wait to get your HVAC unit serviced until it’s no longer working. It is important to learn about the 5 signs that your AC is about to give out so you can find an AC repair contractor to fix the unit before it is too late.
- It Makes Strange and Loud Noises
An AC unit’s normal sound in a constant hum. Most air conditioners make negligible sounds as they start up and shut down, and these slight noises are expected in most units.
However, strange noises such as a loud squealing, banging, or rattling noise coming from your unit could be a sign that something is wrong. These unfamiliar sounds could mean a loose or broken part in the compressor, a defective control or faulty thermostat, debris in the indoor unit, a dirty condenser coils or air filter, a clogged system, or a refrigerant leak.
These types of extensive services are best performed by an AC repair contractor such as Triad Mechanical.
- Unpleasant Odors Coming from the Air Conditioning Unit
Your HVAC system is there to keep you comfortable and should never produce a foul odor into your home.
If you detect a musty odor coming from the AC unit, there might be mold or mildew contamination inside the unit which must be resolved immediately. If you sense a burning smell in your home, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. A burning smell produced by your AC unit could be caused by a burned-out wire insulation. If this is the case, it must be replaced as soon as possible.
- Reduced Air Flow
This is probably one of the first signs that an AC unit displays when it’s about to give out. The airflow from your HVAC system should be uniform and consistent.
Signs there might an issue with your AC unit not blowing out air properly include: the airflow from the vent is weak, or the air is not circulating well throughout the room. There could also be an issue with the compressor or even your air ducts, which might require a simple HVAC service checkup to clean and replace the AC filter.
- The AC Blows Hot Air
This is one of the most obvious signs of a broken air conditioning unit. An AC unit’s main job is to produce cool air that circulates adequately over the expanse of the room.
If it blows hot air, first check to make sure that the thermostat wasn’t accidentally left on the heat setting from the winter, and this can easily be resolved by resetting the thermostat to the proper temperature.
On the other hand, hot air coming from your AC unit could also mean that there is an issue with the compressor or that the AC is low on refrigerant and needs a refill. It is rare, but your unit could also have sprung a leak and refrigerant isn’t cycling through the system properly. The good news is, when a professional technician from Triad mechanical comes out to assess the situation, they’ll be able to detect where the issue lies.
- Water Leak
Although small water leaks, or drips, from most AC units are perfectly normal and are no cause for alarm, there are certain situations when water leaking from an AC could warrant an emergency HVAC service call. If you notice a pool of water forming around your AC unit, especially if it has not been cooling properly, this indicates that there’s something wrong with your unit.
A faulty or non-functioning AC unit is a problem that requires an urgent solution. Don’t wait for it to get worse and lead to major issues before you call a professional AC repair contractor to come look at it. At Triad Mechanical, we not only service all makes and models of units but we also offer emergency services.
We offer regularly scheduled maintenance visits and emergency HVAC service. Reach out to us now on our website or call (770) 682-0075 for more information.