Air conditioning is something no one likes to live without in the summer. There are several risks to a person’s health when the air conditioner stops working, ranging from sleepless nights to heat exhaustion. Most people want to repair their units fast after a breakdown — especially when it’s in the middle of a heatwave.
Unfortunately, many air conditioners tend to have problems on the hottest days of the year when working their hardest. A hidden issue at the start of summer becomes exasperated by July and leads to a full-blown breakdown. Another time in which homeowners commonly experience problems with their air conditioners is when they turn them on for the first time in late spring or early summer. They switch it on, and nothing happens, or they switch it on, and it makes loud noises or doesn’t cool the home at all.
It’s smart to run a quick test on your air conditioner before the weather gets too hot at the start of the season. If anything is malfunctioning, you
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can schedule a repair to fix it before you really need your air conditioning for your comfort. Better yet, schedule a full tune-up to check for any potential repairs and get your unit ready for optimal functioning all summer long!
The best way to prevent untimely breakdowns is to perform a yearly checkup on your air conditioning unit. Like a vehicle, air conditioners need regular maintenance to keep them running well. Neglect, especially long-term, can lead to significant issues before it reaches an air conditioner’s typical lifespan of 10 years. Without regular professional maintenance, homeowners may have to get used to replacing or repairing their air conditioners more often than they would like.
Below are a few warning signs that it is time to call about an AC checkup.
1. The air conditioner is not blowing cold air.
The whole point of an air conditioner is to cool your home. If this isn’t happening, then there’s a problem with the unit. Sometimes an air conditioner doesn’t turn on at all. Other times, it could be blowing room temperature or even warm air. Neither of these scenarios is ideal for a North Carolina homeowner in summer.
If your unit isn’t turning on, first check that the thermostat is on and switched to an appropriate setting. If this is all correct, then you may need a professional to come to check wiring and the motor for any potential issues. If your unit is blowing warm air through your vents, there may be a problem with the condenser, refrigerant, or ducts. A trained professional will inspect all of these parts to determine the issue.
2. There are loud or strange noises coming from the AC.
Air conditioners should operate relatively quietly. An older unit may make some noise as it switches on or off, but continual grinding or screeching sounds are signs that something is wrong. In these cases, the repair is often an easy fix. When your unit is making strange noises, you may need to replace the belt or just put it back into place, lubricate metal machinery, or repair a small part in the motor. When a professional perform a tune-up on your unit, they will check for any loose parts and lubricate moving parts to prevent these noises from occurring in the first place. They will also remove any nearby debris in danger of getting caught in the machinery. Additionally, a buzzing noise, especially if a burnt smell accompanies it, can indicate that a wire has gone bad and needs replacing. A professional should always handle anything involving wires and electricity for safety.
3. The air conditioning unit is leaking liquid.
There should never be any liquid leaking from your air conditioner. If you notice any liquid pooling or dripping around your unit, call a professional to fix the issue. Leaking water can lead to extensive water damage, mold, and rusty parts. Sometimes a pipe leading to or away from an air conditioner can get loose and will need to be tightened.
Other times a drip pan can become clogged and overflow. A quick cleaning and unclog job should fix this problem. Lastly, the condensate line may have sprung a leak and will need to be replaced. Most of these issues are quick and inexpensive repairs.
Another type of liquid used by air conditioners is refrigerant. When this leaks from a unit, it renders the air conditioner ineffective at cooling your home, but it can also pose a health risk to you, family, children, and pets, not to mention the environment. A refrigerant leak should only be handled by a trained professional who can properly dispose of the refrigerant, repair the line, and replace the refrigerant in the unit.
What to do When Repair is Needed
If you notice any of the above warning signs with your air conditioner, call the experts at 6 & Fix immediately. A trained technician will thoroughly inspect your unit to determine the cause of the issue at hand. They will then present different options for repair or replacement, depending on the extent of the problem. If a unit is nearing the end of its life, some repairs may not be financially worth doing because it will need to be replaced soon anyway.
Even with regular checkups, some parts wear out over time and may need replacing before a total unit replacement is necessary. If you notice an issue with your air conditioner, an expert can investigate the cause and determine the best course of action.
Don’t wait to fix your air conditioner when you notice that something is off, or you could be unnecessarily suffering through the heat when a breakdown does occur. The delaying repair can also lead to even further damage and wear of internal parts. Call the professionals today and enjoy the benefits of a reliable air conditioner all summer long.
