If last week was any indication, summer is well on its way. And unfortunately, summer is the most likely season for AC system to develop problems. After all, they’re placed under a lot of stress this time of the year, and the wear and tear on the components makes it more likely for it to break down.
It’s important to have your air conditioner checked out by a pro if you notice any signs it’s malfunctioning, and to have it regularly maintained to prevent the worst of repair needs. We’ve provided a guideline below of some of the common signs you can watch for—or rather, sounds you can listen for—that indicate a malfunctioning air conditioning system.
Grinding
If your air conditioner is making grinding noises while it’s in operation, it’s likely because there’s a problem with the air handler. The air handler motor contains a number of oiled bearings to help keep friction as low as possible during operation. These bearings wear down over time, causing friction on the air handler motor.
Eventually, this friction gets high enough that the air handler motor will begin making a grinding sound. If you hear this, the best thing you can do is call for repairs right away. The bearings will need to be replaced before the air handler has the chance to overheat and burn out.
Hissing
Is your air conditioner making a sound that resembles air being let out of a tire? It’s likely due to air bubbles in the refrigerant line. This means you have a leak in that line. The lower the refrigerant level is in your air conditioner, the lower your system’s output capacity will drop as a result.
Eventually, your system will lose so much refrigerant that the air conditioner will be forced to shut down. Be sure to call for repairs as soon as you notice fluid dripping from your system or a hissing noise coming from it.
Short Cycling
If your air conditioner is turning itself on and off rapidly, this process is called short-cycling. This can be caused by a number of things, from electrical issues to compressor malfunctions. Whatever the cause it, what’s more important is the threat it poses to your cooling system.
Short-cycling cuts down on your air conditioner’s ability to cool your home, and also accelerates the rate of which your system will wear out. Prolonged short-cycling means your system will be more prone to breaking down, and will have a shorter lifespan, too. For this reason, you should call for repairs ASAP.
Anything Unfamiliar Is Cause for Concern
These are just a few of the various symptoms an air conditioner might have if it’s experiencing a problem. If your system starts making any noises that seem unusual, or it is displaying any other unfamiliar or unsettling symptoms, it’s worth giving us a call.
At Covenant Heating and Cooling, we are “Dedicated to the Promise of Serving You!” Contact us today for expert air conditioning service in Nashville, TN.