As we move into spring, it’s important to look ahead to the summer months. The hottest months of the year are not that far off, and you’re going to be using your air conditioner more and more often as the year progresses. Problems are more likely to occur during this time, as the demand on the system increases. You need to know how to identify problems with the air conditioner, so that you can have it repaired as soon as you notice them. One of the best ways to do that is to listen for odd noises coming from the system.
Grinding
Your air conditioner circulates air throughout the house during operation using a part called the air handler. This part uses a motor to keep a fan blowing air through the ducts. Moving that much air puts a lot of stress on the motor, so it includes a number of lubricated bearings that help to reduce friction on it. These bearings wear down over time, causing friction on the air handler to rise. Eventually, the friction on the motor will be great enough that it will start to make a lout grinding sound during operation. If you hear this sound, it means that the bearings in your air handler motor probably need to be replaced. If they aren’t, the motor could overheat and burn out.
Hissing
If you hear a hissing noise coming from your air conditioner, it often means that you have a leak somewhere in your refrigerant line. The leak has dropped the refrigerant levels to a point where air bubbles can form in the line, which causes the hissing noise. This is a serious problem, because the air conditioner absolutely relies on refrigerant in order to operate. Refrigerant is the fluid that the air conditioner evaporates and condenses to absorb heat from inside the home, and release it outside. The system does not consume refrigerant, and so it relies on the amount it received upon installation for its entire lifespan. As the refrigerant level inside the air conditioner drops, its ability to actually cool the home will decline as well. Eventually, the entire system will break down. You need to make sure that you call for repairs as soon as possible.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is where your air conditioner turns itself on and off every couple of minutes. It can be caused by a damaged compressor, or a short circuit in the system. Either way, it’s not something to be taken lightly. Short cycling increases the wear and tear on the system significantly, making problems more likely to occur and shortening the life of the air conditioner. If you hear your air conditioner short cycling, turn it off and have a professional examine it.
Touchstone Heat & Air Inc. provides a full range of air conditioner repair services in Lake Butler, FL. If you need air conditioner repairs, contact us today for an appointment. We can ensure that your air conditioner keeps you cool throughout the summer.