Even before the weather starts to warm up, you should be thinking about firing up the air conditioner for the first time. Now is the best time to make sure your AC unit is in good working order before you actually need to cool your home. Otherwise, you could be in for a hot, uncomfortable few days or weeks while you wait for a repair.
Here are 6 AC problems to check for well before the cooling season starts and how a professional can help you get started:
1. Strange noises coming from your unit.
Weird noises that come from your HVAC system are often a good indicator that something is seriously wrong. These noises can range from a hissing sound to a loud banging noise, and may indicate leaks, loose parts, or other serious problems.
If you hear any type of noise that is out of the ordinary, you should have your AC unit checked by a professional as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
2. Your unit is leaking water.
Another problem that can occur with your AC unit is leaking water. This can be caused by a variety of things, such as a clogged drain line or a faulty condensate pump. Not only is water leakage a problem for your air conditioner, but it’s also a problem for your home. If left unattended, a leaky AC could cause water damage that is difficult and expensive to fix.
3. Your AC unit isn’t cooling the house evenly.
If you notice that your AC unit isn’t cooling your home evenly, there could be a problem with the refrigerant levels or the thermostat. Alternatively, you could have drafty windows or doors in your home or cracks in your home’s foundation. If you have hot or cold spots in your home, it may be difficult to know exactly where these are coming from on your own, but a professional HVAC technician can help.
4. The unit’s airflow is weak.
Weak airflow from your AC unit can be caused by several different things. It could be an issue with the fan motor, the blower wheel, or dirty filters or ducts if you have a central HVAC system.
If you notice that your vents don’t seem to have much air coming from them or the air that is coming out feels faint or weak, you may need to have your filters cleaned, your system deep cleaned, or even one or more parts replaced depending on the cause of the problem.
5. The unit smells bad.
If you start to notice an unpleasant smell coming from your AC unit, it could be due to mold or mildew growth inside. This problem is most common in units that use evaporative or wet coils, but it can also happen in units that use dry or direct expansion coils.
If left untreated, the consequences can be more than just a bad scent in your home. Over time, your indoor air will become polluted and your air quality will go down significantly, which often leads to an increase in allergy and asthma symptoms and other respiratory health issues.
If you notice this problem, you should turn off your AC unit and call in a professional for help cleaning and disinfecting it properly.
6. Your unit frequently turns on and off or can’t be turned off.
The most common reason for a system that cycles on and off continuously is that the AC unit is too small for the space it is trying to cool. When the unit is too small, it has to work harder and cycle more often to cool the space. If your AC unit is too small, you should consider replacing it with a larger unit before the start of summer, or your cooling bills will likely be much higher.
How New England Ductless Can Help Prepare Your System For Summer
If you notice any of these serious HVAC issues, don’t wait to call about getting them fixed. Contact a qualified HVAC technician as soon as possible so they can diagnose and repair the issue before it causes more serious damage to your AC unit or home.
At New England Ductless, we take pride in ensuring our customers have access to reliable home heating and cooling when they need it most. Call our office today to learn more about troubleshooting issues with your air conditioner before the summer starts, or to request a quote from one of our qualified technicians.