Air conditioning units can break down at any time. There’s always a chance for them to stop working properly, and it’s impossible to predict when they’ll begin to fail. Moreover, one of the most common signs you should look out for is extreme temperature changes.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean that your air conditioner will fail any time soon, it alerts you that something is going on internally and might fail soon. Here are some other early warning signs of an AC failure:
Unusual sounds
Air conditioners often operate silently. When the machine is turned on, the only sound you should hear is a tiny hum. Unusual sounds can indicate that something is wrong with your air conditioner. For example, if you hear banging or popping coming from your unit, it may be caused by loose parts or a broken motor mount.
It’s also possible that you’ll hear hissing or whistling noises in the event that you have a refrigerant leak. Whenever you hear unusual noises coming from your AC unit, it’s best to have the system checked out by a professional immediately to prevent the problem from worsening.
The air conditioner is not cooling the house
If your AC system is not cooling your house properly, there may be low refrigerant levels or a refrigerant leak, a faulty compressor, or clogged condenser coils. The problem could also be related to a broken fan.
To avoid costly repairs, it’s important to pay attention to the temperature in your house and how much energy you’re consuming to keep it cool. If you notice an increase in your utility bills but haven’t changed your daily habits, you can get your AC inspected by a professional. To get a professional repair, you may want to follow this https://www.directac123.com/air-conditioner/repair
The air conditioner is short cycling
Short cycling occurs when the air conditioner turns on and off frequently throughout the day. In a well-functioning system, short cycling shouldn’t occur at all. If it does occur, it should only happen occasionally at most. However, if you notice that your system is consistently short cycling, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your system.
There are many reasons why this might happen. The thermostat might be malfunctioning or incorrectly calibrated. Your refrigerant pressure might be too high or low as well. If not corrected quickly, this issue will cause damage to your compressor and other internal components of your AC unit.
The condenser isn’t turning on
If your condenser coils are dirty, they won’t be able to cool the air before it enters your home. The condenser fan not only blows air over the coils but also acts as a pump that moves refrigerant through the system.
When there’s not enough refrigerant to flow through the system, it will shut down. Low refrigerant levels can also cause ice to form on the fan and coil, which will eventually melt and cause water damage to your home’s insulation and framing.
Increased utility bills
The increased utility bills can be the first early sign that your air conditioner is not working right. The unit will have to work harder to cool down your home, and as a result, it will use more power than normal.
If you haven’t changed anything in the way you use your appliances or the number of people in your family has not increased but still, you see an increase in your energy bills, then there is some problem with your AC system. You will need to call an AC repair service provider who can detect the issue and fix it for you immediately.
Excessive humidity in your home
When an air conditioner is operating properly, it pulls moisture out of the air inside your home like a sponge. Your indoor humidity level should be around 30 percent or less during the summer months. If it’s higher than that, there’s an issue with your air conditioning system. Excessive humidity can be caused by problems with your evaporator coil or refrigerant charge levels
Excessive humidity in your home can cause many problems, including mold and mildew development, warped wood, and even health problems. If you’re noticing higher humidity levels in your home that is not due to a change in weather, it could be a sign that you’ll soon need air conditioning repairs.
Unfamiliar smells
If you detect an unfamiliar scent coming from your air conditioner, this could point to serious issues with your system. For instance, if there’s a burning odor in the room, this indicates that something electrical is overheating. You may want to check if an outlet near your AC has shorted out.
Another cause of a burning smell could be scorched insulation on one of your wires or cables. Another common odor associated with AC problems is burning dust, indicating that the blower motor is damaged or worn out.
On the other hand, an unusual musty odor coming from your air conditioner could signify mold growth in the evaporator coil or drain pan. If you notice an increase in dust, dander, pollen, or other allergens, it may be due to a clogged filter or dirty ductwork inside your home.
Leaking around the unit
Whether you have a central air conditioning unit or a wall unit, the most common symptom of an AC failure is leaking around the unit. When an air conditioner begins to leak, it’s important to address the issue immediately. This is because even a small amount of water leakage can become a much larger problem later on.
There are several early warning signs that you can watch out for to keep your air conditioning unit running properly. But of course, a lot of these warning signs are easier to identify if you’re paying attention.
That being the case, you should open up lines of communication with your local HVAC technician so that they can help you identify potential problems before they become too severe.