If something is odd or going wrong when you’re running your air conditioner, it could indeed be that you need air conditioner repair. On the other hand, your air conditioner might be just fine. It’s possible that the problem is located in your ductwork instead! So what kind of repairs do you need? How can you tell? Might you be able to resolve a simple problem yourself? Perhaps!
It’s always a good idea to think things through and check on a couple of possible issues before you decide you need professional HVAC repairs. We’ll give you a quick checklist that can help you eliminate minor problems and give you a better idea of whether it’s your AC or your ducts causing your issue.
If Your AC Won’t Turn On
The first place to check is your circuit breaker. Maybe your AC has just lost power! It could be as simple a fix as flipping a switch to restore it. Continued circuit breaker tripping can indicate an electrical problem with the AC, but if it happens once, no worries! You’ve got this.
The second place to check is your thermostat. Maybe it got bumped, and the “on” switch is in the wrong position. Maybe you accidentally activated an “away” setting that saves energy by reducing your AC use while you’re at the office or on vacation.
If Your AC Keeps Turning Off
Frequent shutdowns, the AC turning on and then promptly off again, is called short cycling. The good news is that one common cause of this issue is really easy to check on yourself! A clogged air filter can lead to overheating inside the system, which then shuts down for safety reasons. Simply change that air filter. Resolved? Great! If not, you do need AC repair to address a bigger problem.
If Your AC Sounds Funny
Odd noises are a sign of AC problems. But they can also indicate an issue in your ducts. Is the sound coming from the outdoor unit? That’s your air conditioner. Is it coming from your vents? It’s probably your ducts. Does it sound like banging or grinding? Probably your AC. Does it sound like whistling? Probably your ducts. A rattling or buzzing sound could be either.
If Your AC Smells Funny
A hot or burning smell is likely to be caused by the blower fan motor of your air conditioner. If it smells like ammonia or fish, turn it off immediately! This could be a sign of an electrical fire, and it’s very dangerous, so don’t turn it on again until you get repairs. But some smells could have their source in either the AC or the ducts.
Bacterial growth can smell sour, like vinegar. Mold growth has that distinctive old mildew odor. The trick is that these things can grow in your air conditioner’s condensate pan. But if you’ve got a moisture problem in your ducts, they could grow in there, as well. Whatever the cause, you need AC repair or HVAC duct repair in Nashville, TN. A qualified technician can track down the source and get it fixed.
Covenant Heating and Cooling is your trusted resource for reliable HVAC repair in Nashville, TN. We are “Dedicated to the Promise of Serving You!” Contact us today.