Your air conditioning unit is one of the invaluable household systems that you can hardly do without especially in the sweltering heat of summer. With constant usage however, the efficiency level of the air conditioning unit deteriorates and its energy consumption skyrockets. As a homeowner, it is important to understand the telltale signs that your ac needs professional inspection and repair. This article discusses some of these symptoms.
The Air Is Not Cold As Expected
A normal functioning ac system keeps your indoor space cool regardless of the temperatures of the surrounding environment. The moment you notice even at full blast that your ac does not produce cold air or rather the air that comes from its vents is not as cold at all, then you should know that you have a problem. Your coils could be dirty or your fan motors could be damaged and in need of repair or replacement.
Variable Cooling and Poor Air Flow
Whenever you notice that some rooms in your house have cold air while in others the air is warm, you should immediately get in touch with a HVAC professional. This is because your compressor unit may be failing or your ductwork may need specialized inspection and cleaning. Variable cooling is normally associated with little or weak air flow through your air conditioning vents. This problem can also be caused by a faulty thermostat.
Leakages and Water Pools
Your AC system should not have any leakages either around or near it and whenever you spot this sign; know that there is a problem. Water pools may occur in cases where the drain tube is broken or blocked. This is the tube that is responsible for disposing the ac condensate. This problem can also result from a leaking refrigerant. A technician will inspect the refrigerant level and the drain pipe so as to determine the cause of action to be taken.
Unusual Sounds
A well functioning ac unit is usually quiet while in operation. Squealing, grinding, grating and other strange sounds may indicate a problem with one of the ac unit components. For instance, squealing noises can result from a misaligned fan belt or a poorly lubricated fan motor. Clanging noises could point toward a broken fan. Never take these sounds lightly because they could develop into something major that could even grind the whole system into a halt.
It is advisable that you have an emergency call line for a local HVAC expert whom you can count on anytime you have a problem with your ac.