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For most people, getting air conditioning is a big investment.
Depending on the kind of air conditioning you need, the average air conditioner can costs in excess of $1,000 – but it’s a life-changing addition to your home, making sweltering summers and cool winters much more bearable.
No more sweating through 40 degree days.
No more shivering through chilly, winter nights.
So, naturally, it’s simple enough to ignore the signs and symptoms of a sick or broken air conditioning unit. You don’t want it to be broken and frankly, you don’t want to pay for the repairs or replacement. You’ve already made your investment!
However, the longer you wait to get the unit repaired, the more damage is being done. Learn the top nine signs your air conditioning unit might be broken – and act before it’s too late!
#1. Your air conditioner is producing weird smells
A functioning air conditioning unit should fade into the background. It should be silent and unnoticeable – otherwise, it becomes a major inconvenience!
If there are strange smells coming from your air conditioning, it could mean there’s mould or mildew growing inside and the unit needs a clean. Make sure to jump on this ASAP – dirt, mould and mildew can be circulated throughout your home, causing health issues like asthma and allergies for your family.
Alternatively, a weird smell could also mean burned out wire insulation, faulty fan motors or ductwork deteriorating. Get in touch with an experienced air conditioning technician to either clean or service your air conditioning unit as soon as you can.
#2. Your air conditioner is making strange noises
If there’s one thing we know here at Air Conditioning Industries, it’s that a fully-functioning air conditioning unit should run almost silently. Gentle noises during the cycle are normal and become second nature once you’ve been running the unit for a while.
If you start to hear unusual noises, it might mean the fan is damaged or malfunctioning, ductwork has come loose, one of the parts inside the unit is loose, or an internal mechanism is clogged.
If you start to hear louder noises, the outdoor unit could be suffering from corrosion or is just old. It could also mean, however, you’ve got a serious problem on your hand and the unit might need to be replaced. Make sure to hire an air conditioning professional to check it out!
#3. Your air conditioner is blowing warm air… but you’ve got it set to cool!
Sweating even with the air conditioning set to cool?
You might have a broken compressor or a refrigerant leak.
Make sure to check the settings and ensure the temperature is set to cool. If warm air is still streaming from the vents, check the filters are clean, check the outdoor unit is clear of debris and free from obstructions, or call in a trained professional to check the unit.
If It’s not possible to fix – then a new air conditioning unit may be on the cards.
#4. Your air conditioner is leaking water
It’s not common for air conditioners to leak water.
However, if you’ve noticed moisture on the ceiling or water coming out of the vents you will need to get your unit check to prevent any further costly damage.
#5. Your air conditioner isn’t reducing humidity in summer
You might remember our previous blog about air conditioning and humidity. While it’s not the primary function of air conditioning to remove humidity from the room, it should at least reduce humidity.
If your air conditioner can’t maintain humidity and moisture levels, it’s time to call in the team from Air Conditioning Industries to take a look at your unit.
#6. Your air conditioner has limited airflow
There’s nothing worse than having the air conditioning conk out in the middle of summer.
A common problem for air conditioning units is limited airflow – as soon as the ductwork becomes clogged or the compressor fails, it’s unlikely much air is going to stream from the vents.
It’s important to have an experienced air conditioning technician service, clean and, if needed, repair your air conditioning unit. Clogged ductwork can cause serious damage to your air conditioning if left to its own devices.
#7. Your air conditioner is cycling a little too frequently
It’s normal for your air conditioning to cycle regularly, no matter what temperature it is and no matter the weather.
However, if your air conditioning unit is turning on, running for a short time and turning off randomly, it might be time for a tune-up with your local air conditioning experts.
Short cycling can put unnecessary stress on your air conditioner and if left unmaintained, your air conditioning could fail.
#8. Your air conditioner requires frequent repairs
How often does your air conditioning need repairs?
The average air conditioner should be serviced once a year to ensure the unit is in tip-top shape.
If your air conditioner needs maintenance multiple times a year and costing more money than it’s worth, it might be time to call it quits and invest in a new unit.
#9. Your air conditioner has caused a spike in your energy bill
Just when you thought you’d spent enough money on air conditioning repairs… the energy bill comes in – and it doesn’t look good.
If there has been an unexpected spike in energy costs, it could be because your air conditioning unit isn’t functioning properly. Most air conditioners are now made to be energy efficient, so if your energy bill has substantially increased, you might want to complete an energy audit of your home to identify if your air conditioner is causing the problem.
Here are some tips for completing a DIY energy audit:
- Review your lighting and consider changing to energy saving incandescents.
- Examine your appliances and electronics and estimate their energy usage. Then, make sure to unplug appliances which aren’t being used.
- Consider the age of your air conditioning and check the filters. This could be causing performance issues.
- Check your insulation levels. The less insulation you have, the more likely you are to need heating and cooling.
- Check your insulation and filters.
- Check for air leaks and cracks. These could be letting in drafts, again encouraging you to use your air conditioning or heaters more often. You can save up to 10 – 20% on your energy bill just by sealing leaks!
If you complete an audit and all roads lead to the air conditioner being the major contributor, you might need to get the help of an experienced air conditioning technician to clean the vents, replace the filters and complete an overall service of the appliance.
Know the signs – and get in touch with an experienced air conditioning expert
Now you know the signs and symptoms of a sick or broken air conditioner – so it’s time to act. Don’t let your air conditioner continue to deteriorate. Get in touch with someone who knows their stuff and can diagnose your air conditioning properly, then find a solution that suits you.
Our team has more than sixty years’ experience in the industry.
We’re your number one choice for air conditioning service and repairs in Newcastle.
