5 Signs Your AC Unit Needs Professional Maintenance

Has your air conditioner been making rattling or banging sounds? Or it’s only cooling some of the rooms in your home. This could indicate a thermostat problem or improper duct sizing.

If you notice moisture or leaking around your air conditioner, that’s also a sign of trouble. It could be a simple matter of a blocked drain tube or a more serious issue like a refrigerant leak that needs immediate repair.

Loud Noises

While the sound of an air conditioning unit running quietly is pleasant, you should take any sounds out of the ordinary seriously. If you hear rattling, scraping, or banging, this is a sign of a loose component in your AC unit and should be addressed by a professional from AC repair in Forney, TX, to prevent further damage.

Other signs of an AC unit needing repair are loud buzzing or whirring noises. Buzzing sounds are a standard indicator of a failing compressor or an issue with the capacitor that powers it. This can lead to overheating the compressor and other parts in the unit, which is dangerous for your family and pets.

Fan blades or a faulty blower motor often cause whirring sounds. They can also indicate low refrigerant, which should be corrected immediately to avoid further problems.

Strange Smells

Strange smells, like dirty socks or rotten eggs, are sure signs of something wrong with your air conditioning system. If you smell these odors, it’s time to call an HVAC technician right away. These funky smells can be caused by pest infiltration, burned-out wire insulation, or mold growth within your unit. These problems could be hazardous to your family’s health and must be addressed quickly.

A burning smell from your vents is another sign that you need an air conditioning company. This odor is often the result of electrical components like circuit boards and fan motors burning up. It can also indicate that refrigerant is leaking from your AC unit, which can be toxic over long periods.

A musty smell from your vents may be caused by mildew or fungus growing in the drip pan or drain line. This is one of the most common reasons for clogged vents and ductwork. You can prevent this by keeping chemical containers away from your air conditioning unit and regularly cleaning your ductwork to eliminate any contaminants that could be forced into your home’s airflow.

Water Leaks

Water leaks around your AC unit are a severe problem that should never be ignored. If you notice puddles of water around your unit, shut off the team and call in an expert immediately.

This often means your unit leaks due to a clogged condensation drain line. You can help prevent a clog by pouring a cup of bleach into the condensate drain line every month to clear any buildup. If the problem is more severe, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck the clog out.

Leaking may also be caused by a damaged overflow pan underneath the unit, which can crack or become disconnected from the drainage line. You can check for this by inspecting the drain overflow pan for notches, cracks, or holes.

Finally, leaking may indicate that your unit is low on refrigerant or has a blocked, frozen, or leaking evaporator coil. This is a hazardous problem that can lead to costly repair bills and potential mold growth in your home, so be sure to contact an expert immediately!

Poor Airflow

When you turn on the air conditioner and feel no cool air blowing through your vents, it can be an obvious sign that something is wrong. The problem could be as simple as a blockage of your ducts (some furniture may obstruct them) or, more seriously, a refrigerant leak or compressor issue.

Dirty air filters and leaking ducts can also cause airflow problems. These issues restrict the flow of conditioned air throughout your house, resulting in hot and cold spots and unequal pressure.

A sluggish blower fan can also contribute to low airflow. If you hear grinding or rattling sounds from the blower motor, it is probably time to call in an AC repair team. If unattended, these issues likely lead to the compressor failing. Fortunately, a little preventative maintenance can avoid these expensive repairs and comfort you.

No Cooling

As summer heats up, it is essential to recognize warning signs of AC issues. Strange smells, clogged air filters, and cooling coils that are covered in grime can all signal that it is time to call a professional for maintenance or repair services.

If you notice that the air in your home isn’t cool, check that the thermostat is set to “cool.” It may have been changed accidentally; if so, it should be returned to the proper setting. Then, check the air ducts to ensure they are clean and unobstructed. If the airflow problem persists, it could indicate a clogged air filter, dirty evaporator coils, a broken fan, or obstructed vents.

If your AC unit turns on and off at an unusually rapid rate, it’s a sign that it needs servicing. This fast pacing could be caused by a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, and it’s essential to contact a professional as soon as possible to prevent the problem from worsening. This is especially true if the sound of your AC unit is becoming more like white noise than anything else.