Staying warm in winter and cool in summer has always been a challenge, but air conditioning makes it easier than ever! Paired with regular air conditioning maintenance, a split system or ducted air conditioner can cool your entire home and ensure year-round comfort. If you want to get the best performance from your air conditioner then there are a few things you’ll need to keep an eye out for. To ensure your air conditioning system is running at its best, it’s always a good idea to seek the help of professionals such as Newcastle Air Conditioning, who can provide regular maintenance and repair services to keep your system functioning efficiently and effectively.
In this article we’ll go over 7 of the most common signs that it’s time to call an air conditioning serviceman.
1. Unusual Smells or Noises
Air conditioners are relatively simple appliances. That means you can monitor how well the system is working by keeping an eye out for anything unusual. In most cases that means strange smells or noises coming from the indoor or outdoor part of the system. Unusual smells take the shape of dusty, musty or mouldy smells. These can indicate that the filter has become clogged or is growing mould, and it’s also a sign that your condensate drain has become blocked. An air conditioning technician can usually repair the issue with some basic maintenance.
On the other hand, unusual noises can be a sign that something is seriously wrong with the system. The motors and compressors wear out over time, and parts like bearings may start to make squealing, clicking or crunching noises. If you notice any of these signs, turn the system off and contact your technician for advice.
2. Blowing Warm Air
Your air conditioning is supposed to blow cool air, so it can be frustrating to switch the system on and only get warm air out of it. An air conditioner that’s blowing warm air could be experiencing any number of problems, like:
- Blocked filters
- Failed blower motors
- Freon leaking
- Faulty thermostat
You’ll need the help of an experienced air conditioning technician to diagnose the actual fault. In most cases these problems can be fixed through simple repairs, but it’s important not to run the unit until you’ve had it looked at.
3. Poor Airflow
Split system and central air conditioning systems are designed to move enough air to cool down entire rooms. Over time, the filters attached to the system become clogged with dust and dirt. This reduces the amount of air flowing through the system and can cause your air conditioning to struggle. Regularly cleaning and replacing filters is the simplest way to avoid this issue.
4. System Cycling On and Off
Running your air conditioning often consumes large amounts of power. To prevent this, manufacturers design their systems to run periodically, only cooling when the temperature in your space is too high. One major sign of a failing air conditioning system is when it cycles on and off too frequently. This not only consumes excessive amounts of power, it’s noisy and increases the amount of wear on the system. Frequent system cycling can be a sign of a failed thermostat or other components, and the fault will need to be diagnosed by a professional.
5. Humidity Problems
Air conditioners cool a space by passing warm air over pipes filled with chilled refrigerant. This process collects small amounts of condensation from the air, causing the system to dehumidify your home. If your air conditioner is doing a bad job of dehumidifying, or if it’s actively increasing the humidity in your home, it’s a sign that something has gone wrong. This may be as simple as a condensate drain that needs to be unblocked, or it could be a sign that your cooling system isn’t working properly.
6. Water Leaks
All air conditioners collect small amounts of the water from the air during normal operation. This is collected in a special drain that runs to the outside of your home. If that drain becomes blocked by things like mould, dust or other debris, the water inside the condensate tray can build up and appear to “leak” from the internal wall unit. Water leaks are usually simple to resolve, but they should be addressed quickly to avoid damage to plasterboard or timber flooring.
7. Leaking Fittings
Air condition systems work by circulating special refrigerant gases through a system of sealed pipes. Over time, the seals on these pipes and fittings can break down, causing the refrigerant to leak. While most modern refrigerants are non-toxic to humans, it’s important not to let leaks go unchecked. When checking your air conditioner look for corrosion or streaking around fittings.
You can even use a solution of water and dish soap to detect the bubbling caused by leaking refrigerant. If your system is leaking refrigerant it needs to be shut off immediately. Contact an air conditioning service Frenso and let them handle the issue. They’ll normally need to replace the leaking fitting, reseal the system and then refill the refrigerant.
For more information on fire alarms, air conditioning or EV charger installation Brisbane wide see Martel Electrical!
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